On The Gulf Storm Stories at the Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts presents the exhibition, ’Storm Stories’, in conjunction with a year-long oral history project of the same name which collected people’s personal accounts of Hurricane Ian and its aftermath. The exhibit will be on display September 1-30.

The exhibition will culminate with a closing reception on the anniversary of Hurricane Ian’s landfall on September 28, 5-7pm. There will be several related events throughout September, including collaborations with the Gulf Coast Writers Association and the University of Florida’s Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship.

For the exhibition, artists are being asked to create artwork about their experiences during or after the storm in any capacity. It may be stories of resilience or trauma or loss. It can evoke a wide range of emotions. It is meant to be cathartic and therapeutic and shareable, something everyone can relate to in some way.

Through August 7, artists may submit one to three works for consideration for this exhibition. There is no entry fee. They are encouraged to submit 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional artwork using found objects and recycled materials collected after the hurricane. Works in all media will be accepted, including paint, collage, photo, drawing, print and sculpture. Only original artwork will be accepted.

All entries must be submitted online no later than August 7 at 5pm. No materials will be accepted at the Alliance for the Arts. Entries must be submitted online only.

“At the Alliance for the Arts, we believe in the healing power of art,” said Gallery Manager Emily Radomski. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, we have seen a great need for healing in our community. Following Hurricane Ian, Alliance for the Arts teamed up with the Gulf Coast Writers Association to launch the oral history project, Storm Stories, where anyone could submit their story from Hurricane Ian. Those collected stories will be compiled into a printed book, and available for purchase at Alliance for the Arts during the month of September.”

An exhibition of photographs by Kinfay Moroti, ‘Moments from Hurricane Ian’, documenting the hurricane and its aftermath, will be on display in the Alliance for the Arts Theatre Gallery September 1-30.

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. The Alliance campus and galleries are open Tue-Sat 9am-7pm & Sat 9am-1pm. For information, call 939-2787.

Songwriter Fest Expands This Year

The ninth annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, a 10-day music festival featuring performances by best-selling and up-and-coming singersongwriters across the country, returns to Southwest Florida, September 22-October 1.

This year, the Songwriter Fest adds the city of Cape Coral to the lineup. The first weekend of the music festival kicks off on Captiva Island, then moves to Cape Coral and downtown Fort Myers during the week, and ends with a weekend on Fort Myers Beach.

Performances are scheduled for a variety of venues in Captiva, September 22-24; in Cape Coral, September 25 & 26; in downtown Fort Myers, September 27 & 28; and in Fort Myers Beach, September 29-October 1.

Concerts are scheduled for the following venues:

•Captiva: Mucky Duck, RC Otters, Green Flash, ‘Tween Waters Resort

•Cape Coral: Westin’s Nauti Mermaid, Gather, High Point Social House

•Fort Myers: City Tavern, Downtown Social House, Banyan Hotel rooftop, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

•Fort Myers Beach: Pink Shell Beach Resort, DiamondHead Beach Resort, Matanzas Inn, Bayside, Mound House

More than 30 singersongwriters will be performing during the music festival, including Adam Ezra, Billy Cunningham, Clint Daniels, Coretta King, Dave Pahanish,

Dwayne Haggins, Emily Shackelton, Sonia Leigh, Robinson Treacher, and local singer-songwriter Sheena Brook, among others.

The Americana Community Music Association hosts a Songwriter showcase, September 27 at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center at 7:30pm, featuring Roy Schneider, Kim Mayfield, Robert Bidney, Bill Metts, and Ray Cerbone.

Most shows are free with the exception of a few ticketed experiences and shows:

•September 24: Songwriter’s Sunset Cruise with Captiva Cruises (McCarthy’s Marina, 11401 Andy Rosse Ln., Captiva)

•September 25: Chef’s Dinner with Songwriter at Gather (Tarpon Point Marina, 5971 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral)

•September 27: ACMA showcase at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (2301 First St., Fort Myers’ Historic River District)

•September 28: Sunset Cruise on Sanibel Princess (launches from Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort, Sanibel Harbour Marriott, 17260 Harbour Pointe Dr., Fort Myers)

•September 30: Music on the Mound at the Mound House (451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach)

October 1: Pink Shell Pool Party featuring Chris Janson (Pink Shell Beach Resort, 275 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach).

At the time of publication, information about specific shows was not available. For up-to-date information, call 338-3500.