July-August-September 2024

NEWS & PREVIEWS

On The Gulf

The Circus is in Town

The Circus Arts Conservatory’s Summer Circus Spectacular returns to The Ringing’s Historic Asolo Theater this year with a family-friendly, action-packed show featuring some of the world’s most exciting circus acts.

Starring in the 2024 Summer Circus Spectacular are:

• Jared Walker – Master of Ceremonies: Walker was Ringmaster for the Summer Circus Spectacular in 2018 and became the creative director for the Circus Arts Academy and its Sailor Circus Academy.

• Uranbileg Angarag –Contortion: At age 6, she began training for the Mongolian National Circus and by 9 years old, she was performing. She has been performing in circuses for 23 years, working with groups such as Cirque du Soleil and the Ulaanbaatar Circus. She has previously performed for the CAC during Cirque des Voix in 2023.

• The Bello Sisters – Acrobatic Hand Balancing: Italian-German acrobatic trio of sisters from a circus family. Their father performed with

at the prestigious Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione in Paris and with Zirkus Nemo in Denmark.

• Camille Langlois – Hair Hang: Originally from Quebec, her professional training began at the Circus School of Quebec and concluded at the National Circus School of Montreal. She is also skilled at acts including aerial hoops, chains and pole.

• Antino Pansa – Slack Wire: A Guyanese circus artist of French nationality and is a graduate of the National Circus School of Montreal. He was featured as a slack wire artist in Cirque du Soleil’s 2023 show, ‘ECHO.’ Specializing in slack wire, he is also a talented trampoline and floor acrobat.

Mongolian contortionist, Uranbileg Angarag performs in Circus Arts Conservatory’s Summer Circus Spectacular, thru August 17 at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater in Sarasota.

Cirque du Soleil for 12 years and their mother was the first woman to walk on a highwire on stilts. The trio previously performed for the CAC during Circus Sarasota earlier this year.

• Zorè España – Cyr Wheel: A 6th generation circus artist of Bulgarian and Mexican roots, she was born and raised in Englewood, Florida. She was the first Cyr wheel artist to perform

• Renaldo – Clowning: Al ‘Renaldo’ Calienes began his circus career with the Big Apple Circus. A gifted clown, he went on to work with Circus Sarasota, the Royal Hanneford Circus, Canada’s Garden Bros. Circus, and England’s Zippo’s Circus. Performances are TuesdayFriday at 11am & 2pm, and Saturday at 2pm & 5pm. Summer Circus Spectacular patrons can purchase discounted admission to the Circus Museum on The Ringling campus. Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling is located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd. in Sarasota. For information, call 941-360-7399.

Edison & Ford Estates

Celebrate Baseball

To honor Thomas Edison’s love of baseball, Edison & Ford

‘Fanatics: Edison, Mack and Baseball in Fort Myers’ is on view in the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in downtown Fort Myers.

Winter Estates is showcasing a new exhibit, ‘Fanatics: Edison, Mack, and Baseball in Fort Myers,’ that highlights some baseball legends who once played at nearby Terry Park.

This exhibit features original artifacts and photographs on loan from the Mack family, tracing the long history of Fort Myers as a Spring Training site.

Connie Mack, manager and owner of the Philadelphia Athletics, provided the specifications to build Terry Park, which opened in 1925 as the Spring Training site for his team.

Thomas Edison was a frequent visitor at Terry Park and on at least one occasion, participated in batting practice with the Athletics team.

Terry Park served as the official spring training home of the Athletics until 1936. Over the next five decades, other major league baseball teams used the ballpark to play their pre-season exhibition games, including the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Hall of Famers such as George Brett, Roberto Clemente, Ty Cobb, Jimmy Foxx, and Babe Ruth are just some of the Hall of Famers that graced the fields at Terry Park, helping bring national exposure to the ‘City of Palms.’

The exhibit is included with admission.

Edison & Ford Winter Estates, located at 2350 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers, is open daily 9am5:30pm (last ticket sold 4:30pm). For information, call 334-7419.

Warhol in Naples

Artis—Naples’ The Baker Museum is showcasing the work of the most famous Pop Art personalities with the exhinbition, ‘Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop. The exhibition includes rare complete portfolios and individual prints by Warhol, starting with iconic works from the mid-1960s to the series of monoprints titled ‘Vesuvius,’ from 1985.

Warhol gained fame through his work in many media, including painting, sculpture, filmmaking, publishing and especially printmaking. He used prints in particular to explore

the aesthetics and mechanics of mass-produced images and popular culture. The prints included in this exhibition demonstrate many aspects of Warhol’s art, including his brilliance as a colorist, which can be seen in the early ‘Flowers’ and ‘Sunset’ series.

In later series, Warhol experimented with the silkscreen printing process to create complex surface layers.

‘Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop’ is on view thru September 8.

The Baker Museum is located on the Artis—Naples campus, located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. The museum is open TueSat 10am-4pm & Sun 12-4pm. Call 597-1900.

History of Children’s Book Illustrations

Naples Art Institute is celebrating children’s literature’s rich history and enduring

timeless topics such as manners, community duties, and fundamental education, including the alphabet. However, it was in the 19th century that books began to appear with the dual purpose of entertaining children while also educating them. This evolution drove the integration of illustrations into storytelling, using color and detail to enhance the text.

‘Childhood Classics’ explores this legacy, featuring a wide range of artwork from early 20th-century pen & ink drawings to modern digital art. The exhibition features original artworks from iconic figures such as Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, and Garth Williams, as well as contributions from classic illustrators including Rosemary Wells, Richard Scarry, Chris Van Allsburg, and Hilary Knight.

‘Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children’s Book Illustrations’ will be on view at Naples Art Institute thru August 11.

Naples Art Institute is located at 585 Park St. in downtown Naples. The gallery is open MonSat 10am-6pm & Sun 11am-4pm. Call 262-6517 for information.

The exhibition, ‘Andy

Portfolio – A Life in Pop’ is on view thru September 8 at The Baker Museum on the Arts—Naples campus in Naples.

impact with an exhibition, ‘Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children’s Book Illustrations.’ that showcases ithe illustrations and illustrators behind beloved stories.

The first books designed for children introduced

Florida Highwaymen at Selby Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is hosting the exhibition, ‘The Florida Highwaymen: Interstate

‘Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children’s Book Illustrations’ is on view thru August 11 at the Naples Art Institute in downtown Naples.

Warhol

Connections,’ in their Museum of Botany & the Arts at their downtown Sarasota campus thru September 15.

The legendary Black landscape artists, also known as The Florida Highwaymen, emerged in the 1950s in the agricultural communities of Fort Pierce and Gifford, Florida. Largely self-taught, these artists produced colorful scenes of Florida’s unique landscapes that appealed to residents and tourists alike. Their iconic images captured the natural beauty of the Sunshine State prior to the impact of increased urbanization.

They were prolific painters during the post-World War II boom. Denied representation by commercial galleries on account of their race, the artists sold their works door to door from the trunks of their cars along main thoroughfares

The exhibition celebrates the achievements of The Highwaymen and makes connections between their remarkable stories and the experience of the African American community in Sarasota in the 1950s and 1960s. While the Highwaymen were depicting romantic scenes of palm trees and beaches along the Atlantic, residents of Sarasota’s predominantly Black neighborhood of Newtown were striving to gain access to the segregated beaches on the Gulf.

The important contribution of this group to the cultural life of the state was formally acknowledged when 26 Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004.

‘Florida Highwaymen: Interstate Connections’ is on view thru September 15. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens downtown Sarasota campus is located at 1534 Mound St. in Sarasota. The Gardens are open daily 10am5pm. For information, call 941366-5731.

Naples Players

Opens New Kizzie Theater

Following a $21 million renovation of their iconic theater in the heart of Downtown Naples, The Naples Players have announced the official Phase 1 re-

‘The Highwaymen: Interstate Connections’ is on view thru September 15 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ downtown Sarasota campus.

opening of their new venue: The Kizzie Theater.

Formerly known as Blackburn Hall, the new 452-seat Kizzie Theater features 308 seats on the main floor and adds 144 seats in the balcony. The Theater showcases a stateof-the-art sound system, custom acoustical design, and stunning custom millwork walls fabricated by local cabinet makers. Additionally, the Broadway-style theater showcases an orchestra pit for 16 musicians, a complete fly-house, a state-of-the-art lighting system, and spacious dressing rooms.

The Kizzie Theater also boasts a one-of-a-kind ‘Sensory Booth,’ a private booth with independent lighting, sound, and temperature controls that allow any family impacted by Sensory Processing Disorders to enjoy every performance in a controlled environment. Additional accessibility features of the theater include a hearing-loop system and Bluetooth hearing assistance connectivity that enables any individual with Bluetooth hearing aids to connect directly to the theater’s sound system without the need for additional headphones or devices. Phase 2 will feature the opening

hand crafts such as Seminole sweetgrass basketmaking, and display other traditional native Florida Seminole artists’ works. The event also features live music and storytelling, as well as the Seminole Immokalee community’s authentic artisans, craft vendors, and traditional dishes from Seminole food vendors.

The Seminole Artist Experience is open 11am-5pm. Admission is free.

Seminole Casino Hotel is located at 506 S 1st St. in Immokalee. call 863-902-1113 for information.

of two new 104-seat Black Box Theaters, new scenic & costume shops, additional dressing rooms, bars, and a donor terrace. When completed, the facility will be the only LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Theater in the state of Florida. Completion of the entire facility is expected by the end of the summer.

The Naples Players’ first production in The Kizzie Theater is 42nd Street , thru July 21.

The Kizzie Theater is located at 701 5th Ave. in downtown Naples. Call 434-7340 for information.

Seminole Artist Experience Returns to Immokalee Casino

The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum presents the fourth annual ‘Seminole Artist Experience’ on July 10 at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee. The free event will feature fine art by Native American artists from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including original works of art by artists Elgin Jumper, Tylor Tigertail, Justine Osceola, and others.

Artists will demonstrate live painting and exhibit original works, create, and showcase

Short Films Wanted by SWFL Filmmakers

The Alliance for the Arts and the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau are collaborating on the inaugural ‘Shorts of the Fort’ Film Festival, a new event celebrating the unique landscapes and vibrant communities of Lee County. Scheduled for September 20 at the Alliance for the Arts, the festival invites filmmakers to explore and capture the beauty of Fort Myers’ islands, beaches, and vibrant neighborhoods through their lenses.

The festival is welcoming submissions ranging from 30-second clips to 5-minute narratives that portray the essence of local life in Southwest Florida. This event provides a platform for both seasoned directors and emerging artists.

Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of the Fest, Audience Favorite, and the top film in each category: Island Odyssey, Beach Bliss, and Neighborhood Narratives. Films must be submitted by August 26.

Films must focus on the islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of Lee County and be shot entirely within the county.

Filmmakers of all ages are welcome, however submitters must be at least 18 years old.

For more information, call the Alliance for the Arts at 939-2787.

Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.

N SANCTUARY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

by Kara Moyer

estled far off the beaten path east of Naples, miles from everyday Southwest Florida, John and Grace Slaby have constructed Kowiachobee Animal Preserve (KAP): a fiveacre tree canopied sanctuary that is not only their home, but home to a lion, five tigers of varying species, an alligator named Bubba, and numerous other exotic and domestic animals.

‘Inconspicuous’ might best describe first impressions of KAP, as it looks little more than a residential farm at first glance. With its zebra-striped post mailbox and long, narrow dirt driveway hidden behind overgrown brush, one could easily think a few wrong turns led to a private residence. My thoughts exactly as we park in the grassy parking pad overlooking a single horse whipping its tail, and a ranch-style home with a minivan in the carport.

My GPS redirected us twice on our drive until my dad, a life-long animal lover who graciously tagged along for the adventure, shut it off and showed me the back roads from memory. We follow the hand-painted sign instructing us to ‘Meet for Tours this Way and Wait.’ John explains, as we shake hands on his lanai, that this unassuming facade and anonymity of sorts is completely on purpose. “We aren’t looking to be the next big tourist attraction or petting zoo. That’s not what these animals want or need.”

“We aren’t looking to be the next big tourist attraction or petting zoo. That’s not what these animals want or need.”

Kowiachobee, a Native American Seminole word for ‘big cat’ or ‘screaming cat,’ was founded in 2001 and established as a non-profit in 2002. They are licensed by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission and the USDA. They operate exclusively on volunteers and donations— no government funding. And as became clear once John began sharing the preserve’s history, remarkable, unwavering motivation. “We don’t get days off here,” he states as we casually stroll past Zahara, the zebra, in her corral, then turn right onto a winding dirt path. “But that’s the life you sign up for when you take on an endeavor like this.”

This endeavor is an effort to provide permanent homes for unwanted, neglected, and/or injured animals, especially exotic animals, who can no longer be cared for by their owners. All the animals currently residing at KAP, to some degree, are rescued, and John can share the detailed story of each. “I was adamantly against having a feral pig on the property,” he explains as we approach Cheyenne, her pink, dirt-sprinkled nose the size of a tennis ball sticking out between two metal rails, “But when they tell you if you don’t take her, no one else will, and she’s getting euthanized in three days, you can’t sleep at night. So you start building her a home.”

Educating the public, specifically children, about wildlife care is at the heart of the organization. The property is not commercial, and therefore not open to the public, but private tours are conducted by

appointment. This is not just for the well-being of the animals, but to provide an informational experience for visitors. “This isn’t like a typical zoo where you guide yourself. The purpose of tours is to give close, safe encounters, and teach the ‘bigger picture.’”

The organization has ongoing partnerships with the Boy & Girl Scouts of America and Collier County Parks & Recreation, among other non-profits, and routinely provides presentations on-site in schools, libraries, etc., with animals that can safely travel and provide interactive experiences. These outreach appearances help fund the enormous overhead costs in maintaining the premises. (For context, one tiger eats approximately 25 pounds of raw meat every day.)

John explains, “If we teach children about the responsibilities of caring for pets, whatever kind of animal, we can reduce the need for rescue organizations, even this one. It’s a revolving cycle and education is the key to solving the problem.” As declared in their mission statement: “If we do not do this now, our grandchildren may never have the opportunity to see these animals other than in a textbook.”

KAP is most certainly not a typical zoo. The Slaby’s are fiercely attached to every animal. As we approach another large, shady enclosure with a waist-high, driftwood picket fence, John

continues, “Zack and Suki were both domestic pets, but micro mini pot belly pigs don’t stay mini and cute forever, so they were surrendered.” Zack and Suki, both seven years old and now about the size of labradors, amble to the fence upon hearing his voice, lift their noses to his outstretched hand for a quick head scratch, then sprawl out again on the cold dirt for a nap. John continues, “We, collectively, are the problem for these animals because we don’t do the research they deserve. But we, collectively, can be the answer, too, if we’re open to learning.” From an outsider’s perspective, KAP feels, in that moment, like a distinctive and remarkable hybrid of rescue preserve and blended family.

Just past Zack and Suki, we’re stopped in our tracks by a perfectly circular dome of philodendrons. John explains, “That’s what we call the turtle bio-dome. Scarlett, Ollie, and Ralphie are in there.” He walks to the opposite side and opens a chain-link fence door to reveal three tortoises, one leopard and two red-footed, respectively.

Hurricane Irma in 2017 was particularly devastating to KAP as they took a direct Category 3 hit. Remnants of storm destruction, most recently from Hurricane Ian, are still prevalent, from dilapidated roofs to entire enclosures deemed structurally uninhabitable and vacant, now overgrown by story-high weeds. But volunteer time and financial resources are already stretched to the max with daily responsibilities that take precedence. “We get to the repairs as we

Cheyenne Zahara

can, but everyone is safe and adequately sheltered where they are.”

To combat future hurricane-force winds, John began constructing dome-shaped shelters for the smaller animals, an ingenious creation for our region’s tumultuous weather. The philodendron, he explains, was a Home Depot plant that “just did its thing.” It’s easily thirty feet tall now and has wrapped the tortoise home like a loosely knit quilt. The original six-inch pot still rests along the fencing edge.

We meander almost another mile past enclosures of other tortoise species, chickens, donkeys, a male peacock promenading, when our shady trail abruptly stops at a padlocked, commercial-grade chain link galvanized fence, drenched in blazing sunshine. Two street legal signs are hung: ‘Panther Crossing’ and ‘STOP.’

“Wow,” I can’t help but comment at the significantly heightened level of security. “This section looks way more serious?”

“This is part two of the tour!” John laughs as he unlocks and opens the gate. My dad and I exchange glances as we follow him to the other side, which he then locks and bolts behind us. It feels like we’ve entered an alternate world, a modern-day Jurassic Park. For all practical purposes, we have.

require a minimum of eight feet for tigers, among extensive additional regulations.)

“Mali and Tanju were used as photo ops on the east coast, but once they hit 40 pounds or five months, they can’t be handled by the public, so they came to live with us.” He calls their names in a higher-pitched voice, makes a ‘tsk’ sound the way one calls for a house cat at mealtime, and in the far-right corner, Tanju, a 13-year-old white tiger, peels open a sleepy eye and stretches atop a basket-weave hammock of fire hoses donated from Collier County Fire Department.

“Regular rope wasn’t strong enough and their claws got stuck, so we had to get creative.” Mali and Tanju are majestic, even regal, and their size is astonishing even from 30 feet away and through multiple fences.

“If we teach children about the responsibilities of caring for pets, whatever kind of animal, we can reduce the need for rescue organizations. Education is the key to solving the problem.”

John points to the first massive enclosure ahead of us, a double-walled, galvanized chainlink fence with a coordinating ceiling, at least 20 feet high. (Florida Fish & Wildlife regulations

Big cats in captivity are a controversial topic with deep lines drawn in the sand. Documentaries have shined ugly bright lights on the dark side of the big cat world and activists routinely protest the practice, deeming it animal cruelty. The Slaby’s are no strangers to controversy or bad press, as it comes with the territory, but they rarely respond to criticism. John’s only comment on the matter: “We can say we don’t want animals in cages, but at the same time, are we willing to accept their extinction? In some cases, those are our only choices.”

A quick jaunt past Subali-Czar, another tiger, cooling off in the swimming pool, and Shambay, the lion, snoozing on his back, all four colossal paws in the air atop his own fire hose hammock, and we reach Sabeena. “Sabeena is the most beautiful tiger I’ve ever seen, and my veterinarian agrees,” John tells us with the same boastful pride I get when I brag about my son. And like clockwork upon hearing John’s voice, Sabeena rises from a shady corner and glides with an unmatched grace to meet him, immediately rubbing her ribs along the fence where he stands. He crouches to meet her eye level and the bond between them is overwhelmingly apparent. “I’ve raised Sabeena since she was a cub. She’s my baby. You can’t help but get attached when you’ve been together for as long as we have.”

John, still crouching, twists to look over his shoulder at both of us, a few feet behind him and utterly awestruck by Sabeena’s stature. He nonchalantly grips the fence for balance and Sabeena, in a perfect response to John’s sentiments, gently, and ever-so-controversially, kisses his hand. •

Kowiachobee Animal Preserve is located at 2861 4th Ave. SW in Naples. For information about donating, volunteering, or scheduling a tour, call 352-5387 or visit kowiachobee.org.

John Slaby

Mali & Tanju

From Broadway to Fort Myers

JOE SIMONELLI MAY BE one of the hardest working men in the Southwest Florida theatre scene. A triple threat writer, director and actor, he has made theater his life’s work since 2001. As the author of 21 full length stage plays, Joe knows drama. And comedy. And music. He even knows musical comedy! His popular play, Men Are Dogs was recently at the Fort Myers Theatre, where he is the resident playwright.

Some people are just born to the stage. “Growing up in Brooklyn, I was exposed to theater and music at an early age,” says Joe. His father had a professional wedding orchestra and his parents often attended Broadway shows. “My mother and father would go to the theater,“ he says, “and one day they asked if I wanted to go see Danny Kaye. Wow, I thought, I could go see a big movie star in person. That was amazing!”

Joe was fortunate enough to see Danny Kaye in Two by Two and Katherine Hepburn in Coco, as well as other classic Broadway productions of the era. “My parents had cast albums of popular Broadway shows and they would play music in our house all the time,” he says. “I was constantly exposed to music and theater. It was wonderful.”

Joe attended Catholic schools and after receiving a BS degree in Management from St. Francis College he had a successful career in finance as an independent financial advisor.

by Cindy Reid

material. “My divorce gave me plenty of fodder at the beginning. You write what you know. My agent says I write ‘Wagnerian themes’. If you went through a divorce like I did you will identify with those plays.”

When asked what play his favorite is he replies “It’s like children, I can’t pick one as a favorite. They are all my favorites.” Joe says he admires other prolific authors, “like Stephen King, Neil Simon, David Mamet.”

In the spirit of ‘the show must go on,’ acting and directing are also a big part of his life. He says, “I do anything I can to get it done. I can jump in as a director or as an actor because I’m still a quick study.”

In addition to his 21 full length plays Joe has written comedic one acts and dramas as well as a screenplay and sitcom treatments based on his stage plays. He says any of his plays could be turned into a screenplay, but “That’s a completely different business from theater, which itself has changed a lot over the years. It’s not our parents’ Broadway anymore.”

His early plays were published by Concord Theatrics (formerly Samuel French), but Joe self-publishes now, which makes it much easier for local theaters to affordably access his work. “I have an agent, but I also spend time marketing my plays myself,” he says. “It’s just part of the theater business and I am happy to do it.”

Acting was going well, but waiting for auditions and callbacks left him with too much time waiting around, so he started writing his own plays.

In 2001, he turned his attention to that early and enduring love—the theater. “I got into it kind of late at the age of 40,” he says. A divorce precipitated his renewed interest. “After I got divorced, I was playing in a band and decided to try acting. I went on an audition and, much to my surprise, I got the part.”

Encouraged to pursue acting, he took lessons, and in a classic theater plot twist, was cast in a production of West Side Story. “In high school I was cast as a ‘Jet’ so it was funny to revisit it many years later as an adult.”

Acting was going well, but waiting for auditions and callbacks left him with too much time waiting around so he started writing his own plays. Success as an author came quickly.

“I started a scene, wrote it up into a play, submitted it to a playhouse and ended up as the resident playwright at Atlantic Island, New Jersey. I wrote everything. Dramas, comedies, a thriller, a very funny musical, you name it,’ he says. “ For my musical I even wrote ten songs! At this point I have been writing for 26 years. I write across genres. Romantic comedies, ghost stories, thrillers, I write it all.”

Joe says he never has to look too far for source

He is grateful his plays have been so well received by audiences and are regularly in production in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. “The English audience said, ‘give us more’’ says Joe. “The plays translate well because stories about men and women are universal.”

Joe is just hitting his stride here in Southwest Florida in his new position as Resident Playwright at Fort Myers Theatre. He and girlfriend Lori Sigrist moved to Fort Myers in 2019 to be part of the area’s thriving theater scene. (Lori is the Executive Director of the Lemon Bay Playhouse in nearby Englewood).

As the author of 21 full length stage plays, Joe knows drama. And comedy. And music. And musical comedy.

“My divorce gave me plenty of fodder at the beginning. You write what you know.”

“Southwest Florida was doing so many of my plays that we would often come down and do a joint vacation. A theater would do a play and I would stay for the audience talk-back, so we ended up spending a lot of time here. We like the whole area, from Marco Island to Haines City, and we love the proximity to Disney World.”

He says community theater is alive and well across the country. “There is plenty going on on the west coast of Florida. It’s great all up and down the coast. New Jersey also has multiple community theaters, second only to Florida. The demographics are perfect, because you have a generation of retirees who are theatergoers.”

“We have so many great theaters in the area. Fort Myers Theatre, of course, and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, among others. There are many dedicated actors, and we get some top-quality amateur acting locally. Just because you are not in Equity doesn’t mean you can’t act. Most people had careers while acting on the side.’

As the Fort Myers Theatre resident

playwright, Joe will be producing two or three of his plays each season. “I’m happy to be affiliated with and working with Jeremy and Michelle,’ he says, “Fort Myers Theatre offers plays and musicals for all ages.” His upcoming plays at the theater are Where There’s a Will in August and Old Ringers in January of 2025.

Men Are Dogs is the most performed of Joe’s plays and was recently at the Fort Myers Theatre in May. Fast paced and comical, it has great parts for women and is an audience favorite. “It’s a funny play about women in group therapy. In fact, that’s how I met my girlfriend Lori, when she came to see it in New Jersey. She thought it was a typical rom-com, but it has a curve.

Basically, Men Are Dogs is a very funny play that gets serious and empowering at the end.”

The show has been produced at Cultural Park Theatre, Island Theater Company on Marco Island and at the Charlotte Players, who have also produced Joe’s plays Wake Me at Midnight, A Ghost in the Meadow and With This Ring

“I could always write and pick out a plot,” Joe says, “but I didn’t want to write predictable

stories. Luckily, I can find a story almost anywhere.” Sometimes a new play comes to him fully formed. “I can envision the whole thing. In fact, two plays came to me in vivid dreams, one being Where There’s a Will, about William Shakespeare. It is a comedic fantasy where William Shakespeare time travels to modern day Staten Island to help out a playwright struggling from writer’s block with both his play and his love life.”

His show, Old Ringers is an adult comedy about four down on their luck seniors. After one of them receives an obscene phone call, the ladies decide to open a home phone sex service to supplement their incomes. Two of the characters are from Men Are Dogs, but the play stands on its own. It’s bawdy fun for a grownup audience.

Always staying current, his latest play, Half Baked is a comedy about two senior couples who open a little cafe that’s not doing well. To keep the cafe afloat they resort to crazy money-making schemes. Think murder for life insurance money, podcasts and baking cannabis into the appetizers to ‘stimulate’ business. Co-written with Lori Sigrist, the show will premiere at the Broadway Palm next season (April 18-May 24). •

‘I think ‘beautiful’ is exactly the right word for a great throw. There’s something cinematic about it.’

JWhy We Love Baseball

OE POSNANSKI’S WONDERFUL new book, Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments [Dutton] explains why America’s ’National Pastime’ remains special in the country’s cultural heritage. As the oldest of organized American professional sports, it is blessed with a treasure-trove of statistics, an abundance of colorful characters, and a unique relationship with our childhood. But it is the stories that really make it so special. And Posnanski is a remarkable storyteller.

Much more than just a simple recollection of historic events, Posnanski tells the tales behind the events, and he tells them with knowledge, passion, insight and good humor, as well as a great talent for turning a phrase: Describing Bo Jackson hitting a huge home run off of Nolan Ryan, he writes, ‘When the bat connected with the ball, the sound was like the liberation of Paris.’

He recounts an incident in 1890 and an event in 2023, and includes moments from every decade between. There are historic tales of Ruthian feats and the incredible accomplishments of legends like DiMaggio, Ted Williams and Shoeless Joe Jackson. There is also a story about a player who only played two innings and never came to bat nor fielded a ball. There are stories about record breaking performances (Cal Ripkin) and inexplicable errors (Bill Buckner).

Boomers will be familiar with several classic games in the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s (Sandy Koufax, Pete Rose), and younger fans will remember more recent plays (Derek Jeter, Shohei Ohtani). And even the biggest fans will learn a thing or two (there is a wonderful story about Hall of Famers Satchel Page and Josh

an interview with Joe Posanski by Andrew Elias

Gibson facing off in the 1942 Negro Leagues World Series).

Reading Why We Love Baseball —and reliving these cherished memories of unforgettable games and incredible plays —is a joy.

Posnanski, a best-selling author, has been named National Sportswriter of the Year five times. I asked him a few questions about his new book.

•

You can tell that baseball holds a special place in your heart. When did you first get hooked on the game?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a baseball fan. In the earliest home movies of my life — all lost, by the way — my father is pitching a wiffle ball to me, and I’m trying to hit it with the wiffle bat. I was a mad sports fan from a very young age, I loved them all, but baseball is the sport that I most closely shared with my father. What is one of the most incredible moments in the book — and why?

People often ask me to pick my favorite moment in the book, and it’s so hard because I honestly do love them all — each for different reasons. I’ll tell you about the Yutaka Enatsu moment because it’s unlikely that you’ve heard of it; I say that because I had not heard of it before I wrote the book.

Enatsu was a great Japanese pitcher and one year he set the record for most strikeouts in a season. He was a flamboyant player, and he announced before the game that his record-breaking strikeout would be of the Sadaharu Oh, the greatest player in Japan. He did indeed strike out Oh, thinking that he had set the record. But when he got back to the dugout, he

Describing Bo Jackson hitting a huge home run off of Nolan Ryan, Polanski writes, ‘When the bat connected with the ball, the sound was like the liberation of Paris.’

was informed that, no, he had only tied the record. He let the next eight batters hit the ball so that he could strike out Oh again to break the record.

What is a particularly heroic moment?

There are many heroic moments in the book — starting with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, obviously — but I like the story of John McDonald and a special home run he hit on Father’s Day.

What is one of the greatest blunders — and why does even that make us love baseball?

Jose Canseco once had a baseball bounce off his head over the fence for a home run.

thing in sports. Before Ruth, the home run existed, but it was not at the center of the sport at all. It was Ruth, with his enormous personality and larger-than-life talents, who made the home run the centerpiece of the game.

“He did strike out Oh, thinking that he had set the record. But when he got back to the dugout, he was informed that he had only tied the record. He let the next eight batters hit the ball so that he could strike out Oh again to break the record.”

What is one of the moments where reality has been eclipsed by myth?

There are actually quite a few moments in the book where legend and reality swirl together. I particularly enjoyed writing about those moments; I think it’s one of baseball’s great features that we don’t actually know if Babe Ruth called his shot or if Pee Wee Reese put his arm around Jackie Robinson or if Satchel Paige purposely walked the bases loaded so that he could face Josh Gibson with everything on the line. I like it better that way. I don’t think reality gets eclipsed by myth as much as I believe that baseball is the sport that best blends fact and fiction. Obviously, there are several famous home runs included (by Babe Ruth, Kirk Gibson, Bobby Thompson, Bill Mazeroski). What is it about a home run that seems to be so quintessentially American?

I honestly believe that it is Babe Ruth himself who made the home run the most American

You include a few incredible throws in the book — one by Bo Jackson, two by Roberto Clemente, and Willie Mays’ throw after ’The Catch’. What is it about a great throw that is so beautiful?

I think ‘beautiful’ is exactly the right word for a great throw. There’s something cinematic about it — you see the runner heading to the plate, the ball is way in the outfield, there doesn’t seem to be any way that a player can get the ball home in time to get the runner. And then you see Clemente rear back and throw, and the ball jumps from his hand in a way that does not seem possible, and you watch the race between the runner and the baseball, and, yes, it’s just beautiful.

You don’t only include moments from the major leagues. You also include moments from the minor leagues and films (Bull Durham, Major League, A League of Their Own and even a Bugs Bunny cartoon from 1946). Why did you choose to include moments from films and a cartoon?

For me, the entire book is about the title — why do we love baseball? And those fictional moments are such a big part of it. One of the last cuts I made from the book was a chapter on Abbott and Costello’s ’Who’s On First’ routine. I hated cutting that because, to me, that’s a big part of why we love baseball. Movies are a big part of why we love baseball. That Bugs Bunny short is why we love baseball.

I realize that it’s practically impossible to cite one moment as the singularly most important in baseball history — so I’ll ask you to name two among the most important, and why?

When it comes to importance, unquestionably No, 1 is Jackie Robinson breaking through the color barrier … and then to be followed by Larry Doby breaking through the color barrier, and Minnie Miñoso becoming the first Black player to play in Chicago and Elston Howard becoming the first Black player with the Yankees, and Buck O’Neil becoming the first Black coach, and Frank Robinson becoming the first Black manager.

“One of the last cuts I made from the book was a chapter on Abbott and Costello’s ’Who’s On First’ routine. I hated cutting that because, to me, that’s a big part of why we love baseball.”

After that, there are many important moments revolving around baseball labor, around baseball expanding West, around baseball on television, but I’ll give you a fun one: I think the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox winning the World Series, finally, after such long droughts ranks very high in baseball importance. The book’s title is Why We Love Baseball. You include quotes by many stars about why they love the game. Why do you love baseball?

If I could reduce that answer to a single sentence, I wouldn’t have needed to write a 100,000-plus word book. •

Katrina Cain Finding Gold in New Songs

Kby Jason MacNeil

atrina Cain is no stranger to the music industry after performing as a touring musician for Ben Folds a decade ago, having a national (and international) audience watch her perform on NBC’s The Voice in 2018 and releasing her debut EP, Gold in early April.

Cain, a Texas-based singer-songwriter, says she was “very pleased” with the six-song release.

“We worked on it for about three years, so we put a lot of hard work into it and finally got to a place where I was ready to release it into the world,” she says. “I moved back from L.A. to Texas in the middle of making it, so a lot of the recording was done remotely. That was kind of the biggest hurdle, but it also saved us a lot of money to be able to do it remotely. So, it ended up being a good thing anyway.”

Given the current climate in the industry where a stream of single releases seems to be the preferred choice for some, Cain, performing at the Island Hopper Songwriting Fest in Fort Myers this coming September, realized she wanted something more cohesive.

“When I first started writing the songs I was recording them one by one,” she says. “By the time I realized I wanted to release a whole project and not just singles, it ended up that I had a whole lot to choose from. I did have to pare it down to a few, just to make the project short enough that it would be a good introduction to my sound— to not release a full album of everything all at once.”

The Gold EP has a consistency of high quality throughout including the folksy pop flavored ‘Things I’ll Never Say.’ Cain says that was the second

song written for the project and was inspired by thoughts of her parents.

“I was living out in Los Angeles at the time and my parents live on the East Coast,” she says. “I worried about my parents, really. I think a lot of us go through those rough patches of leaving home and our late teens and early 20s, kind of pushing our parents as far away as possible. I know I definitely did. So, it came about just looking back as an adult and realizing how supportive they’ve always been and still are to this day. It’s like an apology and a thank you in one song.”

Another song which is getting some traction is ‘New Mercedes,’ which Cain also made a music video for. Cain says the seed for that tune was planted having a casual conversation with a friend.

“Someone in L.A. I was talking to mentioned that Mercedes are a starter car for teens,” Cain says. “That was just a wild concept to me. I certainly don’t own a Mercedes yet. So, I just thought, ‘That’s just so funny. I can’t even fathom that.’ I think I wrote that one in about 20 minutes. I thought, ‘I’d love to write a song about wanting one and maybe what are the reasons I can’t get one. Maybe I haven’t been working too hard. Maybe I’m down and out.’”

Cain, who says her current personal favorite is ‘Dizzy,’ explains that she often records little ideas or melodies for songs on her phone for future use. She also hasn’t changed her songwriting process much over the years regardless of the genre: folk, pop or country.

“I learn so much when I play festivals that the learning component of it from other artists is just as valuable as showing off my songs.”

“My process just writing for myself and writing my own music is really pretty simple,” Cain says. “If I can start out with even a partial chord progression, that can get me started on my melody and lyrics. I write my melody and lyrics at the exact same time. I do find it difficult to write words on a page and set it to music later. I think if something sings really photo-illustration by andrew

well then it will also be a good lyric. So I find that the melody is really important to write at the same time.”

The singer also started knowing when to say ‘when’ regarding leaving a song alone and not trying to enhance or edit parts.

“I think because I enjoy the process of songwriting and I enjoy learning I’m always trying to make each song a little better,” she says. “Lately, I’ve had trouble not going back and editing just a few words here and there and making a new work tape. Then I’ll put it in a Dropbox for my band and then I’ll go back the next day and edit a few more words and they’ll have to re-record it. I’ve had to stop myself for the last couple of songs.”

Cain says she grew up taking whatever lessons she could for whatever instruments were nearby. Influenced by her parents’ record collection which included Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, Cain says growing up in the ‘90s, country star Shania Twain also was an inspiration, resulting in a melding of those three influences.

MUSIC ARTS

“I just always knew that that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” she says. “I really haven’t ever not been a musician. I think that music connects everyone and moves people no matter what the genre is, no matter what language it’s in. I think that’s always been really, really attractive to me. There will always be a moment of joy with music.”

The singer is looking forward to performing at the Island Hopper Songwriters Fest although she’s not too familiar with the Fort Myers region. Cain, who will be performing in Fort Myers Beach, says she’s had her eye on this festival for “several years, so I’m very excited to be playing it for the first time.” She also says she gets a lot of joy performing at various songwriters festivals.

“I find it difficult to write words on a page and set it to music later. I think if something sings really well then it will also be a good lyric. I find that the melody is really important to write at the same time.”

“You get to make connections with other artists and their team,” Cain says. “I learn so much when I play festivals that the learning component of it from other artists is just as valuable as showing off my songs.”

After launching a solo tour in 2022 and working on this latest EP, Cain is looking ahead to her next project. Although nothing has been confirmed she is hoping

the next release will possibly be a full-length affair.

“I think the industry right now is really favoring singles, but I’m a big fan of full albums,” she says. “I think a lot of people, once they find an artist they really love they’ll want a full album to listen to. I know I personally do. I have a lot of songs that didn’t make it on the EP and so many more I’ve written since then. We’ll definitely have album length material. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do, but we’re looking for new recording dates for sure.”

Although it’s been some time since Cain appeared on The Voice, she says it was both an eye-opener and an empowering experience.

“At the time I had no experience with film or television,” Cain says. “So, I think the biggest eye-opener was how that world operates and how it works. Sometimes it can be a lot of hurry up and wait and other times it can be go go go and 4am calls.

“What I learned about myself is I can handle a lot more pressure than I thought I could. It can be a nerve-wracking process, especially because you have the filming component and that’s a whole different thing than just getting up and playing some songs.”

With a plethora of artists ending up on shows such as The Voice , American Idol or America’s Got Talent , Cain says she has some advice for contestants dreaming of fame and success.

“There’s so many things I could say,” she says with a laugh. “I think the biggest piece of advice I could give is to impress upon hopefuls for those shows that while it’s an amazing experience and opportunity it’s not the only opportunity you’ll get in music. Be grateful for the opportunity to audition and if you get through that’s amazing and wonderful. But if you don’t get through it doesn’t mean that you aren’t talented and aren’t meant for big things.” • Katrina Cain and a slew of other singer-songwriters perform at the Island Hopper Songwriters Fest, September 20-29 in Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, downtown Fort Myers and on Captiva Island. For information, call 338-3500.

Songwriters Write About Songs

The Philosophy of Modern Song

Bob Dylan

(Simon & SchuSter)

Bob Dylan is inarguably the greatest songwriter ever so it would naturally be interesting to learn what songs he thinks are among the best—and why. Dylan has always been a student of song, apparent from his encyclopedic knowledge of country, folk, rock and blues music as well as his love of the American Songbook canon (he released three albums between 2015-2017 with renditions of 57 classics he has loved since his youth).

by Andrew Elias

but it is rewarding, offering unique insights into more than just the music and the songs, but our larger lives and the mysteries of the human condition.

Illustrated with more than 150 incredible photographs, the book boasts a lively and engaging design that invites repeated reading for reference and for fun. A ‘must-have’ for Dylan aficionados.

Energy Follows Thought

The Stories Behind My Songs

Willie Nelson

Dylan’s writing is challenging, with dense prose and poetic riffing, but it is rewarding, offering unique insights.

Featuring essays about 66 songs from the likes of Hank Williams (‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’) to Santana (‘Black Magic Woman’), The Clash (‘London Calling’ to Little Richard (‘Tutti Fruitti’), and Nina Simone (‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’) to Elvis Costello (‘Pump It Up’), he analyzes the lyrics, explores the rhythms and explains the context of songs both well-known (‘Mack the Knife,’ ‘On the Road Again,’ ‘Strangers in the Night’) and obscure (The Fugs’ ‘CIA Man,’ Jimmy Wages’ ‘Take Me From His Garden of Evil,’ Bobby Bare’s ‘Detroit City’).

Dylan’s writing is challenging, with dense prose and poetic riffing,

with David Ritz & Mickey Raphael (william morrow)

Possibly second only to Dylan among the greatest songwriters, Nelson has gathered his thoughts about many of songs, both popular and lesser-known. Including lyrics from 160 of his songs, incredible stories, and eminently quotable quotes, among hundreds of wonderful and often rare photo-

As you read about how these 50 songs affected Tweedy you recall how they affected you as well.

through Willie’s thinking as he ruminates about his career and his life, remembering his friends and contemplating his mortality.

There are stories about his first forays into songwriting (‘Crazy,’ ‘Night Life,’ ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’), his biggest successes (‘Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,’ ‘Always On My Mind’) and his recent recordings (‘Your Memory Has a Mind of Its Own,’ ‘Energy Follows Thought’).

A celebration of his life and his craft, it does not shy away from revisiting his darker days, and is as honest and thoughtful as you would expect from a true American treasure. You do not have to be a Willie fanatic to appreciate this handsome collection of all things Willie.

World Within a Song Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music Jeff Tweedy (Dutton)

Reading this book feels like you’re sitting around a friend’s house or hanging at a brewery and talking about your favorite songs. Some you may agree with and then again you may have differing opinions.

Written in a conversational tone, Tweedy— leader of the band Wilco and producer of

albums by the likes of Mavis Staples and Rodney Crowell—recollects the songs that impacted his life and inspired his music.

With a dry humor, sharp wit and clear love for the craft, he writes about songs that introduced him to rock & roll (Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water,’ The Knack’s ‘My Sharona’), influenced him as a songwriter (Bob Dylan’s ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,’ Lou Reed’s ‘Who Loves the Sun’), blew him away (Patti Smith’s ‘Radio Free Europe,’ Suicide’s ‘Frankie Teardrop’), and have impressed him recently (Billie Eilish’s ‘I Love You’). Included are the usual suspects (The Band’s ‘The Weight,‘ Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’) as well as some surprises (‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow,’ ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’).

As you read about how these 50 songs affected him you recall how they affected you as well, and how they have become common signposts in the lives of so many. •

EVERGLADES UNIVERSITY

BOCA RATON CAMPUS

5002 T-REX Avenue, suite 100, Boca Raton • 561-912-1211

ONLINE DIVISION

5002 T-REX Avenue, suite 2200, Boca Raton • 561-912-2166

MIAMI CAMPUS

11731 Mills Drive, Miami • 305-913-0955

ORLANDO CAMPUS

850 Trafalgar Court, suite 100, Maitland • 407-277-0311

SARASOTA CAMPUS

6001 Lake Osprey Drive, suite 110, Sarasota • 941-907-2262

TAMPA CAMPUS

5010 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa • 813-868-8160

evergladesuniversity.edu

The mission of Everglades University is to provide quality education to adult learners of diverse backgrounds in a collaborative environment where everyone can achieve personal growth. Everglades University is a not-for-profit university offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs that prepare students to enter and advance in their desired fields of study. The University combines small classes and innovative programs with traditional academic values, delivering programs both on campus and online, all taught by well-qualified and experienced faculty, focused on preparation for employment and careers. This student-first mentality has always been part of their culture supporting each student’s individual needs.

Florida SouthWestern State College

LEE CAMPUS

8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers • 239-489-9300

CHARLOTTE CAMPUS

26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda • 941-637-5629

COLLIER CAMPUS

7505 Grand Lely Boulevard, Naples • 239-732-3700

HENDRY/GLADES CURTIS CENTER

1092 East Cowboy Way, LaBelle • 863-674-0408 fsw.edu

Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is the largest and most affordable college in Southwest Florida. With campuses and a center in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and LaBelle as well as FSW Online options, FSW serves nearly 20,000 students annually. Tuition begins at $3,401 per year for full-time enrollment, and 76% of FSW students graduate debt free. Students experience an active student life and study abroad opportunities. With new supply chain and medical assistant programs and 64 other certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree options, FSW students can go straight into the workforce or transfer to a university following graduation.

Ringling College of Art and Design

2700 North Tamiami Trail, SARASOTA • 941-351-5100

ringling.edu

Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 11 disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information, visit ringling.edu and follow the College on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

BRADENTON CAMPUS

5840 26th Street West • Bradenton LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS

7131 Professional Parkway • Sarasota VENICE CAMPUS

8000 South Tamiami Trail • Venice 941-752-5000 scf.edu

Founded in 1957, SCF is the region’s first and largest public college, serving more than 11,000 students annually at campuses in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice and online. Students can earn two- and four-year degrees, workforce certificates, and non-credit career credentials. Dual enrollment is available for local high school students to earn tuition-free college credits, and SCF also operates charter schools for grades 6-12 in Bradenton and 9-12 in Venice. Serving as an economic engine for the region, SCF keeps a finger on the pulse of employers’ workforce needs and adjusts programs and resources to promote local development.

Jul

MONDAY 1

•Night Tour: 2 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

TUESDAY 2

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

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

WEDNESDAY 3

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

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

THURSDAY 4

•4th of July All-American Cookout: BBQ, games, activities, fireworks. Marie Selby Botanical Garden, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. 5:30-9:30p. 941-366-5731.

•4th of July Parade & Fireworks: Parade down Estero Blvd to Times Square 10-11a, fireworks over Times Square 9p. Ft Myers Beach. 6-10p. 948-3766.

•4th of July Rooftop Bash: Live music, bbq, view fireworks. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7-11p. 333-1933.

•Choral Artists of Sarasota: Concert - American Fanfare. Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 4:30p. 941387-4900.

•Fireworks on the Pier: Naples Pier, 12th Ave S, Naples. 9-10p. Free. 692-8436.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Post-game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•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. 313-5129.

•Kevin Lee: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Red, White & Boom: Independence Day Celebration. Live music, kids entertainment,

fireworks. Cape Coral Bridge, Cape Coral. Trollies available. 5-10p. Free. 948-3766.

•Star-Spangled Salute: Venice Symphony concert & fireworks. Calusa Sound Amphitheater, Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 3143723.

FRIDAY 5

•Albert Castiglia: Blues concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Art Reception: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 939-2787.

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

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9:30p. Free. 5908645.

•Art Reception: Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-10p. Live music. Free. 3331933.

•Art Reception: Things I Like by Catherine, 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Tue-Sat 5-8p. Free. 778-4665.

•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.

•Art Walk: Receptions, music, food. Bayshore Arts District, Bayshore Dr, btwn US 41 & Linda Dr, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 293-2932.

•Danny Sinoff - Sinatra Songbook: Jazz piano. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 8003292.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball Post-game fireworks. Hammond Stadium,

14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

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

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

•Kevin Lee: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.

SATURDAY 6

•Danny Sinoff – Bobby Darin Songbook: Jazz piano. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 8003292.

•Drones in Paradise: Independence Day celebration & drone show, music, kids activities & games, outdoor movie. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 6-11p, drone show 9p. Free. 252-4386

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

•Kevin Lee: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 12-3p. Free. 252-4386

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

•Summer Improv: Freedom - the Musical. Florida Studio Theatre Improv. Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-3669000.

•Tasting the Tropics: Tours, demos, activities, tastings tropical fruits. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a-5p. 643-7275.

SUNDAY 7

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Danny Sinoff – Gershwin, Kern & Porter: Jazz piano. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 8003292.

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

•Steve Trevino: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 & 7p. 389-6901.

TUESDAY 9

•A Cracker at the Ritz: Rick Compton & Betsy Bennett musical comedy. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

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

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

•Lecture: Burmese PythonsResearch & Removal Efforts in SWFL. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

WEDNESDAY 10

•Blues Jam: Hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

What Goes On

JULY-AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Albert Castiglia performs July 5 at Arts Bonita in Bonita Springs.

What Goes On

Blues Band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

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

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

THURSDAY 11

•Art Reception: Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Academy, 927 Lime Ave, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-7996634.

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

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

•Chris Cope: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Early Birding Walk: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour.

Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

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

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

•Jonathan Kite: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 8:30p. 389-6901.

FRIDAY 12

•An Evening with John Lennon: Tribute concert. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 800-3292.

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

•Chris Cope: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.

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

•King Solomon Hicks: Blues concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

SATURDAY 13

•An Evening with John Lennon: Tribute concert. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 800-3292.

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

•Chris Cope: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.

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

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Marlow Rosado: Latin music concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Open Artist Studios & Galleries: More than 30 galleries & studios in Sarasota Studio Artists Association. Various locations throughout Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free.

•Open Studio: Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern Gallery, 340 Central Ave, Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free. 941799-6634.

SUNDAY 14

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

•An Evening with John Lennon: Tribute concert. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 3p. 800-3292.

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Daytona Tortugas: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 1p. 768-4210.

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

WEDNESDAY 17

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

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

THURSDAY 18

•Agostino Zoida: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

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

•Angela Massey & Caroline Owen: Concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.

•Lecture: The Skunk Ape. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•Odyssey Road: Journey tribute concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

•Venturino’s Comedy Series: Comedians Larry Venturino, Denniis Regan, Michael Murillo. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 19

•Agostino Zoida: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.

•Brian Gurl’s Stop & Smell the Roses: Concert. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 800-3292.

•Comedy Night: Comedians Kevin White, Larry Venturino, Chris Sanders, Johnny C. Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 7:30p. 394-4221.

•Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado: Opera Naples. Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave, Naples. 7p. 963-9050.

•Kevin White: Comedy. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 404-5198.

•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.

•Sounds of Summer: Sheena Brook, Carling Witt, Hunter McDaniels concert. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Cocktails 6:30p, concert 7:30p. 333-1933.

SATURDAY 20

•Agostino Zoida: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.

•Brian Gurl’s Stop & Smell the Roses: Concert. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 800-3292.

•ECHO Family Fun Farm Tour: Guided tour, activities, discussions. 17391 Durrance Rd, N Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Register. 543-3246.

•Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado: Opera Naples. Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave, Naples. 7p. 963-9050.

•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Guest speaker. Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. 612-209-4489.

•Justin Willman: Illusionist. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Seminole Artist Experience: Art show & sale, demos, poetry readings. Seminole Tribe of Florida. Presented by Ah-TahThi-Ki Museum. Seminole casino Hotel, Immokalee Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 11a-5p. Free. 863-902-1113.

SUNDAY 21

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Brian Gurl’s Stop & Smell the Roses: Concert. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 3p. 800-3292.

•Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado: Opera Naples. Wang

Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave, Naples. 2p. 963-9050.

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

TUESDAY 23

•A Cracker at the Ritz: Rick Compton & Betsy Bennett musical comedy. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

•Doug MacLeod: Americana concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.

WEDNESDAY 24

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

•Family Sunset Stroll: 1.5 hour guided boardwalk tour for families w kids age 5 & up. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 6:30p. Register. 348-9151.

THURSDAY 25

•Art Reception: Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6-8p. Free. 495-8989.

•Art Reception: Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery, 901-B Apricot Ave, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-7996634.

•Brews for the Birds: Live

Late Nite Catechism is playing at the Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers’ historic River District.

Carling Witt performs with Sheena Brook and Hunter McDaniels on July 19 as part of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center ‘Sounds of Summer’ concert.

music, craft beers, food trucks, fundraiser. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6-8p. 992-2591.

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

•Cirque du Soleil - Corteo: Acrobatics circus. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Darryl Rhoades: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.

•Ian Fidance: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 9p. 389-6901.

•Zach Bartholomew & Special Guests: Jazz concert - Music of Premier Pianists. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 26

•Cirque du Soleil - Corteo: Acrobatics circus. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Darryl Rhoades: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.

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

SATURDAY 27

•Cirque du Soleil - Corteo: Acrobatics circus. Hertz Arena,

Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 3p. 642-7270.

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

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

MONDAY 29

•Night Tour: 2 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

TUESDAY 30

11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Darryl Rhoades: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 4795233.

•Deric Cahill: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 4p. 389-6901.

•Erma Bombeck - At Wits End: One-woman show. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 3p. 642-7270.

•Family Art Day: Mixed-media painting project. Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery, 901-B Apricot Ave, Sarasota. 9:30a-12p. Free. 941799-6634.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Mark Sanders: Cabaret celebrating Broadway. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Summer Improv: The End of the World. Comedy. Florida Studio Theatre Improv. Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-366-9000.

SUNDAY 28

•Art Reception: Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 5-7p. Free. 941-4857136.

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Cirque du Soleil - Corteo: Acrobatics circus. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Erma Bombeck - At Wits End: One-woman show. Arts Center

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

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

WEDNESDAY 31

•Art After Hours: Live music, food & drinks. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6-9p. Free. 597-1900.

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

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

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

Aug

THURSDAY 1

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

•Turnstiles: Billy Joel tribute concert. Artis-Naples,

JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

FRIDAY 2

•Art Reception: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 939-2787.

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

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9:30p. Free. 5908645.

•Art Reception: Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers.  6-10p. Live music. Free. 333-1933.

•Art Reception: Things I Like by Catherine, 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Tue-Sat 5-8p. Free. 778-4665.

•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 11a-4p. Free. 313-5129.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs St Lucie Mets: Minor league baseball. Post-game fireworks. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•John Lodge Performs Days of Future Passed: Concert. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.

•Nate Jackson: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 8p. 389-6901.

08/02Art Walk: Receptions, music, food. Bayshore Arts District, Bayshore Rd Dr, btwn US 41 & Linda Dr, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 293-2932.

SATURDAY 3

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

•Hunter Hayes: Concert. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

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

•Summer Improv: Fast Times at John Hughes High. Florida Studio Theatre Improv. Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-366-9000.

SUNDAY 4

•Art Reception: Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6-8p. Free. 495-8989.

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs St Lucie Mets: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 1p. 768-4210.

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

•New Moon on the Boardwalk: Guided boardwalk tour, view Perseid meteor shower, kids storytime, activities. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 6:309:30p. Register. 348-9151.

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

TUESDAY 6

•A Cracker at the Ritz: Rick Compton & Betsy Bennett musical comedy. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

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

WEDNESDAY 7

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

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

THURSDAY 8

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

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

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

FRIDAY 9

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

SATURDAY 10

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor

What Goes On

bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Open Artist Studios & Galleries: More than 30 galleries & studios in Sarasota Studio Artists Association. Various locations throughout Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free.

•Open Studio: Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern Gallery, 340 Central Ave, Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free. 941799-6634.

SUNDAY 11

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Marcus Monroe & Corey B: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6 * 7p. 389-6901.

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

MONDAY 12

•Night Tour: 2 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

TUESDAY 13

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six

Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Lecture: Roadside Attractions

- Everglades Wonder Gardens. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

WEDNESDAY 14

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

•Family Sunset Stroll: 1.5 hour guided boardwalk tour for families w kids age 5 & up. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 6:30p. Register. 348-9151.

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

THURSDAY 15

•Audubon of SWFLMeeting: The Collaboratory,10868 Metro Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 410-6971.

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

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

•JP Sears: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 3896901.

•The Motowners: Classic soul concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

•Venturino’s Comedy Series: Comedians Larry Venturino & Friends. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 16

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

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

•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs & galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 313-5129.

•Vien ‘Comicdoc’ Phommachanh: Comedy. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 7:30p. 404-5198.

SATURDAY 17

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

•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Guest speaker. Word of Life Church, 6111 South Pointe Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. 612-209-4489.

Works by Shah Hadjebi are on view July 5-28 at DAAS Co-op Gallery on the Alliance for the Arts campus in Fort Myers.

•JP Sears: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 4, 6 & 8p. 389-6901.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

SUNDAY 18

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Lakeland Flying Tigers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 1p. 768-4210.

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

•WWE Supershow: Wrestling. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 7p. 800218-0007.

TUESDAY 20

•A Cracker at the Ritz: Rick Compton & Betsy Bennett musical comedy. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

WEDNESDAY 21

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

THURSDAY 22

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.

•Lecture: History of Tropical Storms and their Aftermath in the Everglades. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•Passerine: Americana concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.

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

•Ryan Niemiller: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt

Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 389-6901.

FRIDAY 23

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

SATURDAY 24

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

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

SUNDAY 25

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

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

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

TUESDAY

27

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

WEDNESDAY 28

•Art After Hours: Live music, food & drinks. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6-9p. Free. 597-1900.

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

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

THURSDAY

29

•Art Reception: Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 590-7199.

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

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

•Night Tour: 2 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

•Zach Bartholomew & Special Guests: Jazz concert - Music of Thelonious Monk. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 30

•Buffalo Nichols: Blues concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

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

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

SATURDAY 31

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

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

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

Sep

SUNDAY 1

•Bayside Concert: Bayside Park, Old San Carlos Blvd & 5th St, Ft Myers Beach. 4-7p. Lawn chairs suggested. 4-7p. Free. 454-7500.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 1p. 768-4210.

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

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

TUESDAY 3

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

WEDNESDAY 4

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

FRIDAY 6

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9:30p. Free. 5908645.

•Art Reception: Things I Like by Catherine, 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Tue-Sat 5-8p. Free. 778-4665.

•Art Walk: Receptions, music, food. Bayshore Arts District, Bayshore Dr, btwn US 41 & Linda Dr, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 293-2932.

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

SATURDAY 7

•Astralis Chamber Ensemble: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 745-4268.

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

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Waterlily Weekend: Special exhibition, guided tours, talks, demos, family activities. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a2p. 643-7275.

SUNDAY 8

•Art Reception: Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center, 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6-8p. Free. 495-8989.

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

•Max Manticof: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 8:30p. 389-6901.

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

•Waterlily Weekend: Special exhibition, guided tours, talks, demos, family activities. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9a-2p. 643-7275.

JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

WEDNESDAY 11

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

THURSDAY 12

•Art Reception: Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Academy, 927 Lime Ave, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-7996634.

•Zach Bartholomew & Special Guests: Jazz concert - Music of Thelonious Monk. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 13

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

SATURDAY 14

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Open Artist Studios & Galleries: More than 30 galleries & studios in Sarasota Studio Artists Association. Various locations throughout Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free.

•Open Studio: Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern Gallery, 340 Central Ave, Sarasota. 11a-3p. Free. 941799-6634.

SUNDAY 15

•Art Reception: Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 5-7p. Free. 941-485-7136.

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

MONDAY 16

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

TUESDAY 17

•FGCU Symphonic Band: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall,

Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. Free. 745-4268.

•Florida’s Funniest Comedians: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Storytelling: Tell Your Story. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 5p. Free. 590-7199.

WEDNESDAY 18

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

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

THURSDAY 19

•FGCU Wind Orchestra: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. Free. 745-4268.

•The Reckless Saints: Americana concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.

•Venturino’s Comedy Series: Comedians Larry Venturino, Dan Christopher, RC Smith. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 20

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

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Captiva. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

•Shorts of the Fort Film Festival: Short film screenings. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 939-2787.

SATURDAY 21

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

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Captiva. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

•Marlow Rosado: Latin music concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

The Reckless Saints perform September 19 at the Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point in Fort Myers.

What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 22

09/sunday Ferrera: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6p. 389-6901.

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Captiva. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

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

MONDAY 23

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in Cape Coral. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

TUESDAY 24

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in Cape Coral. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

•Storytelling: Susan O’Halloran - Everyone Has a Story. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7199.

WEDNESDAY 25

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

•Irish Stories & Songs: Susan O’Halloran. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7199.

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in historic downtown Ft Myers River District. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

THURSDAY 26

•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues in historic downtown Ft Myers River District. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

•Jeffrey Steele: with Gulf Coast Symphony. Island Hopper Songwriter Fest concert. Arcade

Murder on the 19th Hole is playing in the Royal Palm Dining Room thru August 10 at Broadway Palm in Fort Myers.

Theatre, 2267 1st St. Ft Myers. 7p. 338-3500.

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

FRIDAY 27

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Ft Myers Beach. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

•Kristian Bush: Kassi Ashton, Shane Profitt open. Island Hopper Songwriter Fest concert. Margaritaville Beach Resort, 251 Crescent St. Ft Myers Beach.

7:30p. Free. 338-3500.

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

•Pete Davidson: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

SATURDAY 28

•FGCU Vocal Recital: U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. Free. 745-4268.

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Ft Myers Beach. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

•Live Band: The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

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

SUNDAY 29

•Art Reception: Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 5-7p. Free. 941-485-7136.

•FGCU Jazz Ensemble: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. Free. 745-4268.

•Island Hopper Songwriter Fest: Singer/Songwriters perform at various venues on Ft Myers Beach. All afternoon & night. 338-3500.

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

•Scott McCreery: Pool party. Island Hopper Songwriter Fest concert. Pink Shell Beach Resort, 275 Estero Blvd. Ft Myers Beach. 5p. Free. 3383500.

•Women of Comedy IV: Leslie Norris Townsend,Michelle Krajecki, Kathy McSteenLemon Bay Playhouse. 96 W Dearborn St, Englewood. 2p. 941-4756756.

ongoing theater

•42nd Street: thru Jul 21. The Naples Players. Kizzie Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•A Few Good Men: Sep 12-22. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

•Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap: Aug 16-Sep 21. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Agnes of God: Sep 27-Oct 20. Pinkerton Theatre. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Always a Bridesmaid: Sep 1222. Charlotte Players, Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. 941-255-1022.

•Chicago - the Musical: Sep 27Nov 10. Broadway Palm Theatre,

1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Cirque du Soleil - Corteo: Jul 25-28. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 948-7825.

•Clyde’s: Jul 26-Aug 810. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Comedy Lottery: Aug 10-Sep 28. Florida Studio Theatre Improv. Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•Dear Jack, Dear Louise: Jul 3-Aug 11. Florida Studio Theatre. Keating Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•Disney’s Alice in Wonderland: Jul 19-21. Youth Thetare. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 495-8989.

•Disney’s Mary Poppins: thru Aug 10. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Erma Bombeck - At Wits End: Jul 27 & 28. Marco Players. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 642-7270.

•Gutenberg - the Musical: Sep 13-29. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•I Spy a Murder: Jul 31-Sep 29 Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Illusion of Death: thru Jul 28: Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•It’s Only a Play: Aug 23-Sep 8. The Studio Players, Joan Jenks Auditorium, Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples. 389-9192.

•Late Nite Catechism: thru Jul 7. Florida Repertory Theatre, ArtStage Studio Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Legally Blonde: Jul 12-28. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

•Lyle, Lyle Crocodile: Jul

11- Aug 2, selected matinees. Broadway Children’s Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 980-5674.

•Murder on the 19th Hole: thru Aug 10. Royal Palm Dining Room, Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•My Way - Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra: Aug 9-Sep 1. Raymond Center. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•My Way: Jul 30-Aug 18. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.

•Piccadilly: Aug 21-25. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Rent: Aug 2-11. 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd, #135, Cape Coral. 323-5533.

•Rhinestone Cowgirls: thru Jul 28. Florida Studio Theatre. Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•Sanctuary City: Aug 17-27. Theatre Conspiracy. Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 936-3239.

•Seussical Jr: Jul 26-28. Gulfshore Playhouse. Norris Center, 755 5th Ave S, Naples. 261-7529.

•Spreading It Around: Sep 4-22. Lemon Bay Playhouse. 96 W Dearborn St, Englewood. 941475-6756.

•Squirrel Girl Goes to College: Jul 11-14. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Summer Circus Spectacular: thru Aug 17. Circus Arts Conservatory. Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 941-359-5700.

•The Big One-Oh!: Sep 20-29. Cultural Park Theatre Company, 528 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 772-5862.

•The Four C Notes: Aug 6-Oct 13. Florida Studio Theatre. Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•The Mousetrap: Aug 23-Sep 15. Pinkerton Theatre. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•The Music of Laurel Canyon: thru Aug 25. Florida Studio Theatre. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 941-3669000.

•The Outsider: Jul 24-Aug 18. Florida Studio Theatre. Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•The Torch Bearers: Sep 20-Oct 13. VRaymond Center. enice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Where There’s a Will: Aug 1525. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

art galleries

•Aldo Castillo Gallery: Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 312-375-8887.

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

What Goes On

•Alliance for the Arts: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. thru Jul 29: Transcendental - David Acevedo; thru Jul 29: Just Kidding - David Hatchett; Jul 5-27: Metamorphosis - Member Show; Jul 5-27: Ramon Chirinos; Aug 2-Sep 28: Uncommon Threads; Aug 6-Sep 28: Tania Alves. Tue-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-1p. Receptions 1st Fri 5-7p. 939-2787.

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

•Art Center Sarasota: 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Thru Jul 27: Beyond Comfort. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sar 12-5p. 941-3652032.

•Art Lab: Naples Art District, 1819 J&C Blvd, Naples. Open studios NOV-APR Thu & 2nd Sat 1-5p. 646-358-2531.

•Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center: 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. thru Aug 9: The Cutting Edge; Aug 15-Sep 26: Artwork Inspired by Water. MonFri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-2p. 495-8989.

•Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. thru Jul 18: Call of the Wild; thru Jul 18: Dominick Tascher; Jul 25-Sep 5: Floracion. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 495-8989.

•Arts for ACT Gallery: Jul 5-30: Restyle-Renew-Upcycle Creativity; Aug 2-Sep 2: Susana Soria; Sep 6-30: Kate Swanstrom. 2265 First St, Ft Myers. Daily 12-8p. 337-5050.

•Baker Museum: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. thru Sep 8: Andy Warhol Portfolios – A Life in Pop; thru Jul 28: Tradition Interrupted; Ongoing: Chihuly Collection; Magritte - Reflections of Another World; Louise Nevelson - Dawn’s Forest. Guided tours Tue-Sat 11a & Sun 1p. Art After Hours: Free last Wed 6-9p - live music, food, drinks. Tue-Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p. 597-1900.

•BIG ARTS: 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 3950900.

•Bob Rauschenberg Gallery: FSW State College, Humanities Hall, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. thru Jul 13: Purvis Young - Honey in the Sky. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 11a3p. 489-9313.

•Cape Coral Art Center: Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Jul 5-Aug 29: Wish You Were Here; Aug 2-Sep 26: Copper & Steel Ink; Sep 6-26: Fiberlicious. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Receptions second Fri of month. 574-0802.

•Cape Coral Art League: 516 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Mon-Thu 11a-4p. Receptions 1st Thu. Open painting Wed 1-4p. Meetings 1st Mon 11a. Closed Aug. 772-5657.

•Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery: 52388 Tamiami Tr, Ochopee. Daily 10a-5p. 6952428.

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

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL gallery. Coconut Point

Mall, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. Receptions 1st Wed 5-7p. Tue-Sun 11a-5p. 949-3073.

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL gallery. Coastland Center, 1924 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Receptions 2nd Wed 5-7p. Wed-Sun 12-6p. 436-3530.

•Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern Gallery: 340 Central Ave, Sarasota. Jul 1-Aug 31: ARCOS artists; Sep 1-Oct 31: Leah Brown & Christopher Blond. Open studio: 2nd Sat 11a-3p. Mon-Fri 9a-6p & Sat 10a-5p. 941-799-6634.

•Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery: 901-B Apricot Ave, Sarasota. thru Jul 6: featured artists; Jul 12-Sep 28: featured artists. Open studio: 2nd Sat 11a-3p. Thu-Sat 10a-3p, Sun-Wed by appt, 3rd Thu 5-7p. 941-799-6634.

•Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Academy: 927 Lime Ave, Sarasota. Jul 5-Aug 31: ARCOS artists; Sep 5-28: featured artists. Open studio: 2nd Sat 11a-3p. Thu-Sat 10a-3p, Sun-Wed by appt, 3rd Thu 5-7p. 941-799-6634.

•DAAS Co-op Art Gallery: Jul 5-28: Shah Hadjebi. Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, #104, Ft Myers. Wed-Sun 10a-2p. Receptions 1st Fri 6-10p. 955-0422.

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

•Emily James Art Gallery: 720 5th Ave S, # 111, Naples. Mon 3-7p, Tue & Wed 11a-7p, Sat 11a8p, Sun 12-5p. 777-3283.

•Englewood Art Center: Ringling College of Art & Design, 350 S McCall Rd, Englewood. Tue & Thu 9a-9p, Wed-Sat 9a-4p. 941-474-5548.

•Florida Gulf Coast University Art Galleries: 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. Wasmer Gallery–Aug 30-Oct 3: Method to the Madness. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 590-7199.

•Florida Gulf Coast University Wilson Bradshaw Library: 10501 FGCU Blvd S., 3rd fl, Ft Myers. Aug 19-Dec 14: Ann Wolff & Selections from the Permanent Collection. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 590-7199.

•Fort Myers Beach

Art Association & Gallery: Temporarily Closed. 3030 Shell Mound, Ft Myers Beach. 463-3909.

•Gardner Colby Gallery: 386 & 365 Broad Ave S, Naples. MonSat 10a-5p. 403-7787.

•Guess-Fisher Gallery: 985 Central Ave, Naples. Tue-Sat 1-6p. 659-2787.

•Harbour View Gallery: 5789 Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. Receptions 1st Tue 6-8p. Daily 11a-8p. 540-5789.

•Harmon-Meek Modern: 382 12th Ave S, Naples. Tue-Sat 12-4p. 261-2637.

•High Tide Studio & Gallery: 995 Central Ave, Naples. Tue-Sat 10a-4p & by appt. 228-6934.

•Hirdie-Girdie Art Gallery: 2490 Library Way, Sanibel. Apr: Shirley Hales. 395-0027.

•HW Gallery: 462 9th St N, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 2636640.

The exhibition, ‘Uncommon Threads’ is on view August 2-September 28 at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers.

•Island Visions: 2224 First St, Ft Myers. Sun-Thu 11a-6p, Fri & Sat 11a-9p. 282-0452.

•Joel Shapses Gallery: Naples Art District, 6240 Shirley St, #102, Naples. Receptions NOVAPR Thu & 2nd Sat 1-5p. By appt. 954-830-3156.

•LaBelle Gallery & Cultural Center: 471 N Lee St, LaBelle. SEP-MAY Fri-Sun 1-5p. 863843-2929

•Larimart Gallery: 2359 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Galleria Shoppes, #410, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-7p & Sat 10-3p. 276-0448.

•Laurel Schmid Fine Art Gallery 7 Studio: 5760 Shirley St, #15, Naples. Tue-Fri 1-5p & 2nd Sat 1-5p. 789-3823.

•Lovegrove Gallery & Garden: 4637 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha. Thu-Mon 9a-2p. 203-8332.

•Marc Harris Wildlife Photography Gallery: The RitzCarlton Tiburon, 2600 Tiburon Dr, Naples, By appt. 789-7027 283-3354.

•Marco Island Center for the Arts: 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. Main Galleries— thru Jul 2: Art Quilted Unlimited; Jul 8-30: Celebrating Imagination; Aug 5-Oct 2: Hot, Hot, Hot. La Petite Galerie— thru Jul 2: LeeAnn Kroetsch; Jul 8-30: Marit Woods; Aug 5-Sep 3: Jeanie Dean; Sep 9-Oct 2: Jessica Wajoli; Oct 7-29: Mai Yap; Nov 4-Dec 3: Lynn Nathanson. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 394-4221.

•Method & Concept: 26 10th St. S, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p. 529-2633.

•Naples Art Studios: Naples Art District, North Line Plaza, 2172 J & C Blvd, Naples. Thru Nov 1: Group Show. By appt. 821-1061.

•Naples Art District: Dozens of artists’ studios & galleries. Shirley St & J&C. 249-1977.

•Naples Art Institute: 585 Park St, Naples. thru Aug 11: Childhood Classics - 100 Years of Children’s Book Illustration. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. 262-6517.

•Rachel Pierce Art Gallery: 1571 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Daily 10a-3p. 292-3327.

•Rachel Pierce Art Gallery: Bell

Tower Shops, 13499 Cleveland Ave SW, Ft Myers. Daily 10a-3p. 292-3327.

•Rene Miville Gallery: Franklin Shops, 2200 1st St, 2nd fl, Ft Myers. Mon-Sat 10a-8p & Sun 12-7p. 333-3130.

•Ringling College of Art & Design: 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Basch Gallery (Thompson Academic Center, 2363 Bradenton Rd). Cooley Photography Center (Bradenton Rd). Crossley Gallery (Hughes Studio Bldg, 2698 Bradenton Rd). Selby Gallery (2700 N Tamiami Tr). Skylight Gallery (Keating Center, Bradenton Rd). Smith Gallery. Stulberg Gallery (2700 N Tamiami Tr)— thru Aug 16: Jack Dowd - Last Call. Thompson Gallery (Keating Center, Bradenton Rd). Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 941-359-7563.

•Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. thru Aug 25: On the Road - The Traveling Circus & Carnival in the 1970s; thru Sep 21: Embodied - Highlights from Ringling’s Modern & Contemporary Art; thru Jan 7, 2025: Skyway 2024; thru Jan 5, 2025: Shinique Smith. Circus Museum— Apr 6-ongoing: The Greatest Show on Earth. Bayfront Gardens. Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.

•Sanibel Captiva Art League: Temporarily Closed. Exhibitions at Sanibel Public Library, 770 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel— thru Jul 3: Fab 5 Artists; Jul 3-Sep 25: Home Sweet Home. Jul 7-Sep 9: Fortitude at Tribby Arts Center, Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. Meetings 3rd Thu 1-3p. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 322-8593.

•Sanibel Public Library: 770 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Sanibel Captiva Art League exhibits— thru Jul 3: Fab 5 Artists; Jul 3-Sep 25: Home Sweet Home. Mon-Fri 9a-35p. 472-2155.

•Sarasota Art Museum: Ringling College, 1001 S Tamiami T, Sarasota. thru Jul 7: Contemporary Artists at the Hermitage Retreat; thru Sep 29: The Truth of the Night Sky;

thru Apr 26, 2026: Molly Hatch Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-5p. 941-309-4300.

•Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center: 2301 First St, Ft Myers. Jul 5-25: The Art of Cosplay; Jul 5-25: Menagerie - Julie Obney; Aug 2-29: The Artful 8; Aug 2-29: Cinematic Devotion. Mon, Tue & Thu 10a-5p, Wed & Fri 10a-10p. 337-1933.

•Sweet Art Gallery: 852 1st Ave S, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat 11a-2p. 597-2110.

•Tammra Sigler Studio: 5760 Shirley St, # 11, Naples. By appt. 821-1017.

•Things I Like by Catherine: 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Receptions 1st Fri, 5-8p. Tue-Sat 11a-5p. 778-4665.

•Tower Gallery Artist Cooperative: 751 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel. Daily 10a-4p. 579-0659.

•Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point: 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. Jul 2-Sep 7: New Perspectives - Works by Shell Point employees; Jul 2-Sep 7: New Perspectives - Works by Heights Charter School Youth. Ongoing: Art Quilters Unlimited 20th Anniversary Show. TueSat 10a-3p. 415-5667.

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

•Venice Art Center: 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. thru Jul 18: Seeing Is Believing. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 941-485-7136.

•Visual Arts Center: 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. thru Jul 1: Back in Time; thru Jul 2: Wonky World - Paulette Morrisey; thru Jul 1: Ignite Imagination; Jul 9-Aug 23: Members Showcase. Mon & Fri 10a-4p, Tu-Thu 10a7p, Sat 10a-2p. 941-639-8810.

attractions

•Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Tribe of Florida Museum: Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 30290 Josie Billie

Hwy, Clewiston. Exhibit— ongoing: Explore Seminole Traditions, Art of Seminole Crafts, Seminole PrideArtwork of Jimmy Osceola. Daily 9a-5p (entry to boardwalk closes at 4pm). 877-902-1113.

•America’s Museum of the Military & First Responders: Naples Airport, North Road Terminal, 500 Terminal Dr, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-4p & Sun 12-3p. Free. 614-205-0357.

•Architecture Sarasota: McCullough Pavilion, 265 S Orange Ave, Sarasota. Thu-Sat 10a-4:30p & Sun 11a-4:30p. 941-364-2199.

•Artis-Naples: Baker Museum of Art, Daniels Pavilion, Hayes Hall, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 597-1900.

•Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium: 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Tue-Fri 11a-3p. 3952233.

•Berne Davis Botanical Garden: 2166 Virginia Ave, Ft Myers. DEC-MAY Tue & Thu 10a-1p. Guided tours. Plein Air painting workshops: Tue & Thu 9a-1p. 332-4942.

•Bishop Museum of Science & Nature: 201 10th St W, Bradenton. Exhibits, manatee habitat, planetarium Tue-Sat 10a5p & Sun 12-5p. 941-746-4131.

•Burroughs Home & Gardens: 2505 First St, Ft Myers. Tours Tue-Thu 11a. Register. 337-9505

•Calusa Heritage Trail: Randall Research Center, 13810 Waterfront Dr, Pineland. Guided tours Tue-Sat 10a; Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 1p. Sunrise-sunset. 283-2062.

•Calusa Nature Center &

Planetarium: 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. Museum, butterfly aviary, walking trails, animal talks, butterfly talks, planetarium shows daily. Guided walks select Tue, Thu, Sat 10a; Full moon night hikes & haunted Walks select nites 8p. Planetarium shows Mon-Sat 12 & 2p & Sun 12, 2, 3:30p. TueSun 10a-4p. 275-3435.

•Cape Coral Historical Museum: 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Museum buildings & gardens. Wed-Fri 11a-4p & Sat 10a-2p. 772-7037.

•Children’s Museum of Naples: North Collier Park, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. thru Sep 8: Scooby-Doo! Mansion Mayhem. Sun-Tue & Thu-Sat 10a-5p. 514-0084.

•Collier County Museum at Government Center: 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. thru Oct 5: Collier Employee Art Show. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-8476.

•Conservancy of SWFL: 1495

Smith Preserve Way, off Goodlette Frank Rd. Nature Center, exhibits, kayaking, nature walks, electric boat ecotours. Guided walks Mon-Sat. Register. Tue-Sat 9:30a-4p. Free. 262-0304.

•Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: 375 Sanctuary Rd. Visitor center, boardwalk, exhibits, guided walks, swamp walks, night events. Daily 8a-3p, visitor center 8a-1p. 348-9151.

•CREW: Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Marsh Hiking Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Rd, Immokalee. Trails open daily sunrise-sunset. Free. 657-2253.

•CROW: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel.

The exhibition, ‘Method to the Madness’ is on view August 30-October 3 in the Wasmer Gallery in Florida Gulf Coast University arts complex in Fort Myers.

Visitor Education Center, wildlife presentations daily 11a; speakers. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. Free. 472-3644.

•’Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. Wildlife viewing, education Center. Wildlife drive: Sat-Thu dawn-dusk; Visitor center: Sat-Thu 9a-5p. 472-1100.

•Edison & Ford Winter Estates: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Historic homes, gardens, laboratory, museum. Exhibits— Ongoing: Rebirth & Renewal; ongoing: Fanatics - Edison, Mack & Baseball in Fort Myers. Guided homes tours daily; Automotive Tour: Mon 10:30a; Inside homes tour: Tue & Thu 10a (pre-register); Yoga by the River: Wed 10a; Step into History lectures: Tue & Thu 10:30a & 2p. Holiday Nights Celebration: thru Dec xx, 5:309p. 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. 272-1911.

•Estero Historical Society: Estero Park, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Sat 1-4p. Free. 272-1911.

•Historic Palm Cottage Museum & Norris Gardens:  Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave. S, Naples. Tours: Tue-Sat 12-4p (register). Tue-Sat 12-4p. Free. 261-8164.

•Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center: 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd, # 108, Naples. 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. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 321-7420.

•Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee. Thru Sep 7: Remember Us Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-2611.

•Marco Island Historical Museum: 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. thru Sep 21: Holiday Traditions in Florida. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 642-1440.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Jul 20-Sep 15: The Florida Highwaymen - Interstate Connections.10a-5p daily. 941366-5731.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Historic Spanish Point, 337 N Tamiami Tr, Osprey. thru Aug 31: Clyde Butcher - Nature Through the Lens. Daily 10a-5p. 941-366-5731

•Mound House: 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Guided tours Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-3p; programs Tue, Wed, Sat 10a; Shell Mound tours Tue-Sat 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. Wed-Sat 7:30a-6:30p. 765-0865.

•MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota. Daily 10a-5p. 941-388-4441.

•Museum of the Everglades: 105

W Bwy, Everglades City. Thru Sep 14: A Salute to Everglades Veterans. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 695-0008.

•Museum of the Islands: 5728 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia. Tue-Sat 11a-3p. 283-1525.

•Naples Botanical Garden: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Exhibitions— Jul 20-Oct 27: Ran Adler. Birding tours: Tue 8a. Tours daily 10a-1p on hour. Daily 9a-2p. 643-7275.

•Naples Depot Museum: Temporarily Closed. 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. MonSat 9a-4p. Free. 262-6525.

•Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples. Wildlife & botanical exhibits. Daily 9a-4:30p. 2625409.

•Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens: 5827

Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. Dogs welcome Tue. Tue-Sun 9a-4p. 941-621-8299.

•Peace River Wildlife Center: Ponce de Leon Park, 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda. Daily 11a-4p. 941-6373830

•Randell Research Center: 7450 Pineland Rd, Pineland. Calusa Heritage Trail, South Florida archeology & ethnography exhibits. Guide Calusa Heritage Trail tours Tue-Sat 10a; MonWed, Fri & Sat 1p. Sunrisesunset. 283-2062.

•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. Exhibits, daily programs, guided boat & kayak eco-tours. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. 530-5940.

•Sanibel Historical Museum & Village: 950 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Guided tours daily 10:30a. TueSat 10a-4p. 472-4648.

•Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Live animal shows, tours. Daily 10a4p. 941-355-5305

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Organic spa, garden & dining. Garden tours Tue & Wed 10a. Daily 9a4p. 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, playgrounds, zip line. Daily 10a5p. 995-2141.

•Williams Academy Black History Museum: Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave, Ft Myers. Ongoing: 50 Years of Hip Hop, Anderson Avenue Economic Renaissance, MLK Corridor’s Revival. Wed-Fri 11a-4p & Sat by appt. Free. 332-8778.

•Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Botanical gardens, animals, alligator feedings. Guided tours Thu-Mon 1p. Daily 10a-2p. 992-2591.

parks & beaches

•Alison Hagerup Beach: 14790

Captiva Dr, Captiva. Dawndusk. Parking fee. 472-2472.

•Alva Park: 21471 N River Rd, Alva. Dawn-dusk. Free. 694-0398.

•Bailey Homestead Preserve: Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Walking tours Mon 2p & Thu 10a. thru Apr 1: Natives in the Garden exhibit. Free. 472-1932.

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

•Boca Grande Park: 131 1st St, Boca Grande. Dawn-dusk. Free. 839-6008.

•Bowditch Point Park: 50 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Dawn-dusk. Free. 463-3764.

•Bowman’s Beach Park: 1700 Bowman’s Beach Rd, Sanibel. Dawn-dusk. 533-7575.

•Brooks Park: 50 South Rd, Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 340-0397.

•Buckingham Park: 9800 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 237-9306.

•Bunche Beach: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Guided beach walks Wed 9a thru Apr. Dawn-dusk. Free. 707-6794.

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

•Cayo Costa State Park: 4 nautical miles west of Pine Island. Accessible only by boat or kayak. Camping, boating, bicycling trails. 8a-sunset daily. 941-964-0375.

•Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park: 12301 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda. Environmental Center, hiking & bicycling trails, guided hikes. 8a-sunset daily. 941-575-5816.

•Collier-Seminole State Park:  US 41, S Naples. Hiking & bicycling trails, boating, camping, boardwalk. 8a-sunset. 394-3397.

•Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: 11135 Gulfshore Dr, Naples. Beach. Hiking trail, paddling, boating, boardwalk, restaurant. 8a-sunset. 5976196.

•Dog Beach: 14436 Bonita Beach Causeway, Bonita Springs. Dogs can run free. Dawn-dusk. Free. 229-0632.

•Estero Bay Preserve State Park: 4940 Broadway W, Estero. Hiking trails, off-road bicycling trails, boating. 8a-sunset daily. 992-0311.

•Estero Park: 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Rec Center. 6a-9p. Free. 248-1609.

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

•Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park: 8137 Coastline Dr, Copeland. Hiking & bicycling trails, boardwalk, paddling, historic site. 8a-sunset daily. 695-4593.

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

•Gasparilla State Park: 880 Belcher Rd, Boca Grande. 8a-sunset daily. Bicycling & hiking trails, paddling, museum. 8am-sunset daily. 941-964-0375.

•Harlem Heights Park: 7340 Concourse Dr, Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 839-7062.

What Goes On JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

•Hickey Creek Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva. Dawndusk. Free. 693-2690.

•John Yarbrough Park: 14608 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, F Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 218-1032.

•Judd Park: 1297 Parkview Ct, N Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 357-5443.

•Koreshan State Historic Site State Park:  US Hwy 41 & Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Access to Mound Key Archeological State Park. Historic settlement, hiking trials, boating, paddling, camping. 8a-sunset daily, historic site 8a-5p daily. 992-0311.

•Kurt Donaldson Park: 180 Hunter Blvd, Cape Coral. Dawn-dusk. Free. 357-5443.

•Lake Manatee State Park: 20007 State Rd 64 E, Bradenton. Hiking & bicycling trails, paddling, boating. 8a-sunset. 941-741-3028.

•Lakes Park:  7330 Gladiolus Dr, Ft Myers. 7a-dusk. 5337575.

•Lehigh Acres Park: 1400 W 5th St, Lehigh Acres. Dawndusk. Free. 204-1165.

•Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park: 213 David Ave, Lehigh Acres. Dawn-dusk. Free. 204-1165.

•Lighthouse Beach Park:  110/153 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 7a-dusk. 472-0345.

•Lovers Key State Park:  8700 Estero Blvd. Ft Myers Beach. Bicycling & hiking trails, boating, paddling. Guided walks select Fri & Sat 10:30a. 8a-sunset daily. 463-4588.

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

•Manatee Park:  10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Ft Myers. Free butterfly garden tours Sun 9a thru Mar. Free. 690-5030.

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

•Matlacha Park: 4577 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Community Center. 7a-9p. Free. 771-1078.

•Myakka River State Park:  13207 SR 72, Sarasota. Canoeing, camping, paddling, hiking & bicycling horseback riding trails, wildlife tours by air-boat & tram, scenic drive, guided walks. 8a-sunset daily. 941-361-6511.

•Nalle Grade Park: 8350 Nalle Grade Rd, N Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 357-5443.

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

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

•North Fort Myers Park: 2000 N Recreation Park Way, N Ft Myers. Rec Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7200

•North Shore Park: 13001 N Cleveland Ave, N Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 357-5443.

•Olga Park: 2325 S Olga Dr, Ft Myers. Community Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 694-2291.

•Oscar Scherer State Park: 1843 S Tamiami Tr, Osprey. Hiking & bicycling trails, paddling, camping. 8a-sunset daily. 941-483-5956.

•Phillips Park: 5675 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia. Dawn-dusk. Free. 771-1078.

•Pinewood Trails Park: 5901 Pine Island Rd NW, Bokeelia. Dawn-dusk. Free. 771-1078.

•Rotary Park: 5505 Rose Garden Rd, Cape Coral. Tom Allen Butterfly House, nature trails, environmental center. 8a-4p. Free. 549-4606.

•Rutenberg Park: 6500 South Pointe Blvd, Ft Myers. Dawndusk. Free. 340-0397.

•San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Preserve: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Free. 765-6794.

•Schandler Hall Park: 419 Royal Palm Park Rd, Ft Myers. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7200.

•Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve:  7791 Penzance Blvd, Ft Myers. Boardwalk, interpretive center open TueSun 10a-4p. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7550.

•Stump Pass Beach State Park: 900 Gulf Blvd (south end of Manasota Key, Englewood). Hiking, paddling, guided tours. 8a-sunset daily. 941-964-0375.

•Three Oaks Park: 18251 Three Oaks Pkwy, Ft Myers. Dawn9:15p. Free. 478-6998.

•Veterans Park:  55 Homestead Rd, Lehigh Acres. Rec Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 369-1521.

•Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park: 16730 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Rec Center. Dawn-dusk. Free. 533-7468.

libraries

•Bonita Springs: 10560 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4860.

•Cape Coral-Lee County: 921 S.W. 39th Ter, Cape Coral. MonWed 9a-8p. Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4500.

•Captiva: 11560 Chapin Ln,

Captiva. Mon, Wed, Fri 10a-4p. 533-4890.

•Collier County Library Headquarters: 2385 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 2527311.

•Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon: 3095 Blount St, Fort Myers. Tue 128p, Wed & Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4150.

•East County: 881 Gunnery Rd N, Lehigh Acres. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 5334200.

•East Naples: 8787 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p.

•Estates: 1266 Golden Gate Blvd W, Naples. Mon-Thu 10a-6p Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7109.

•Everglades City: 102 Copeland Ave N, Everglades City. Mon-Fri 9a-12p & 1-4:30p. 295-2511.

•Fort Myers: 2450 First St, Ft Myers. Min-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4600.

•Fort Myers Beach: Temporarily Closed. 2755 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Mon-Sat 9a-5p. 765-8162.

•Golden Gate: 2432 Lucerne Rd, Naples. Mon-Thu 10a-6p, Fri &Sat 9a-5p. 252-4542.

•Immokalee: 417 N First St, Immokalee. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7073.

•Johann Fust: 1040 W 10th St, Boca Grande. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 941-964-2488

•Lakes: 15290 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4000.

•Marco Island: 210 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. Mon-Thu 10a6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7064.

•Naples: 650 Central Ave, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p.

•North Fort Myers: 2001 N Tamiami Tr, N Ft Myers. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4320.

•Northwest: 519 Chiquita Blvd N, Cape Coral. Mon, Wed, Thu

The exhibition, ‘Andy Warhol Portfolios –A Life in Pop’ is on view thru September 8 at The Baker Museum on the Artis—Naples campus in Naples.

10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4700.

•Pine Island: 10701 Russell Rd, Bokeelia. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4350.

•Riverdale: 21471 N River Rd, Ft Myers. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 533-4370.

•Sanibel: 770 Dunlop Rd Sanibel. Mon & Thu 9a-8p; Tue, Wed, Fri 9a-5p; Sat 9a-1p. 472-2483.

•South: 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p.

•South County: 21100 Three Oaks Pkwy, Estero. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4400.

•Talking Books: 1651 Lee St, Ft Myers. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. 5334780.

•Vanderbilt Beach: 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a5p. 252-7160.

live music & comedy

•Americana Community Music Association Listening Room: All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Select Fri- Sun 7p. 691-4069.

•Bone Hook Brewery: 1514 Immokalee Rd, Naples. Live music select nites. 631-8522.

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

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

•Cape Cabaret: 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. Tue nites: jazz & blues jams 7-9:30p; Comedy nites: Fri & select Sat nites 7p; live music select nites 7-10p. Tue. 549-3000.

•Coastal Dayz Brewery: 2161 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers, Live music select nites & Sat 2-5p. Free. 204-9665.

•Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St, Ft Myers. Live music— Mon 4-8p: Roy Schneider; Wed 4-8p: Eddie Bartley; Thu 4-8p: PJ Carroll; Fri 4-8p: Rich Lancaster; Sat 5-9p: Countryfied Duo, Sun 3-7p: The Beatless. Free. 337-7646.

•Eight-Foot Brewing: 4417 SE 16th Pl, #11, Cape Coral. Live music select Sat 6-9p. Free. 337-7646.

•Fort Myers Brewing Company: 12811 Commerce Lake Dr, #27, Ft Myers. Winterfest: Dec 14-17. Live music Wed 6-9p, Fri & Sat 7-10p, Sun 2-5p. Free. 3136576.

•Howl: 4160 Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers. Open mic Wed 8-11p; live music select nites. 332-0161

•Lobby Bar: Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. Live music Fri & Sat 6-9p. Free. 314-3723.

•Matanzas on the Bay: 414

Crescent St, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely 5-9p & Sun 12-4p; last Wed 7-9p Comedy Nite. Free. 463-3838.

•Millennial Brewing: 1811

Royal Palm Ave, Ft Myers. Live music Fri nites 6-9p. Free. 271-2255.

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

•Ollie’s Pub: 1019 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral. Tue: Open jam; live music select Fri & Sat nites. 540-7867.

•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. 2nd & 4th Thu 6-9p: Irish Music Jam; 1st Sun 4-7p: The Rowdy Bards; Sat 1-5p: Jeff Lyons. Free. 603-6535.

•Rack ‘em Spirits & Times: 1011 SE 47th Ter, Cape Coral. Live music select Fri & Sat nites. Free. 540-7225.

•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: Temporarily Closed. 340 Old San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely 6-9p. Free. 463-3474.

•Snappers Laugh-In Comedy Café:  8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. Comedians Thu-Sat nites. 479-5233.

•South Street City Oven & Grill: 1410 Pine Ridge Rd, # 4, Naples. Live music select Fri-Sun 8-11p. Free. 435-9333.

•South Street City Oven & Grill: 8845 Founders Square Dr, Naples. Live music select Fri-Sun 8-11p. Free. 4359333.

•Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge:  39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Live music select WedSat nites. 204-9949.

•Ter-Tini’s Music & Event Hall: 1901 Crystal Dr, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 344-6147.

•The Beach Bar: 1668 I St, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely. 224-4901.

•The Cove: Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. Live Sat & select Fri nites 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

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

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

•The Stage: 9144 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs. Live tribute bands select nites. 405-8566.

•Whiskey Park: 3300 Mercantile Ave, Naples. Live music Fri & Sat 9:30p-1a. 263-6777.

•Z’s Music Kitchen: 12655 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Live music select Fri & Sat 6-9p. 304-9552.