October-November 2024

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

On The Gulf

FGCU’s Writers Conference on Campus Again This Year

Registration is now open for the 2024 Sanibel Island Writers Conference, November 8 & 9 on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus. Registration is free and open to anyone interested in learning about the craft of writing from acclaimed and successful writers and teachers.

Since Hurricane Ian, the conference has taken place on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus.

The conference features workshops, panels, and discussions, led by writers, editors, and publishers.

Writers scheduled to attend include Kyle Arrington, Lynne Barrett, Denise Duhamel, John Dufresne, MJ Fievre, Andrea Askowitz & Allison Langer, Geoffrey Philp, and keynote speaker Steve Almond.

The keynote address is Friday, November 8 in Water School building (aka Academic building 9), room 138. The conference continues Saturday, November 8, 9am-5pm in the Cohen Student Union.

Allison Langer will be leading a workshop, ‘Writing a Story People Want to Read,’ November 9 at the Sanibel Island Writers Conference on the FGCU campus.

NEWS & PREVIEWS

schedule

Friday, NOVEMBER 8

6-8pm: Keynote address by Steve Almond.

Saturday, NOVEMBER 9

9am-12pm: What Publishers Look For and How It Can Shape Your Writing (room 201)—MJ FIEVRE: An expert perspective on what publishers seek in book proposals and manuscripts, focusing on refining your ideas and pitches.

9am-12pm: TV Writing Crash Course ( room 213)

KYLE ARRINGTON: A comprehensive study of four tentpole components of TV writing that offer deep insight into the craft. After dissecting the form, there will be a breakdown of an episode of TV live.

9am-12pm: Flash! Writing the Very Short Story (room 214) — JOHN DUFRESNE: A discussion of the craft of storytelling, exploring the elements and techniques of short fiction, and examining the qualities that make for vivid and compelling flash fiction.

9am-12pm: The Prose Poem (room 247) — DENISE DUHAMEL: A generative workshop that explores prose poems as shape, as fables, as meditations, and more.

12am-2pm: Lunch & Networking.

2-5pm: Writing a Story People Want to Read ( room 201)

— ANDREA ASKOWITZ & ALLISON LANGER: Learn critical writing tips to make your story more than just a situation but instead a story that stands out. Attendees

will write to a prompt and receive feedback on their draft.

2-5pm: Let Obsession Be Your Muse ( room 213) — STEVE ALMOND: A discussion of how to explore our obsessions on the page without falling prey to selfabsorption or sentiment, looking at the work of Joan Didion, George Saunders, and others, and then generate some work in class.

2-5pm: Two Worlds, One Breath –A Haiku Workshop (room 214)— GEOFFREY PHILP: An exploration of the haiku form, the origins of haiku in Japanese poetry, the spiritual roots of haiku, and study the aesthetic principles of haiku through hands-on activities.

2-5pm: Secrets and Lies –Writing Mystery and Suspense (room 247)— LYNNE BARRETT: Workshop focuses on how elements of mystery and suspense are used to structure storytelling through examples, prompts, and story-developing exercises.

The Sanibel Island Writers Conference will be held in the Harvey & Janet Cohen Student Union on November 9. Steve Almond’s keynote address will be held November 9 at 6pm in the nearby Water School building (aka Academic building 9) in room 138. FGCU is located at 10501 FGCU Blvd. in Fort Myers. For information, call 590-7421 or visit fgcu.edu/siwc.

William Burroughs & Laurie Anderson Collaboration at Rauschenberg Gallery

The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida Southwestern State College is hosting the exhibition, William S. Burroughs & Laurie Anderson: Language is a Virus. This groundbreaking exhibition explores the concept of language as a transformative force, a carrier of ideas, and a potential weapon, as envisioned by the late literary giant William S. Burroughs and the pioneering multimedia storyteller and artist Laurie Anderson.

Featuring never-beforeseen original paintings, works on paper, manuscripts, publications, and personal artifact, as well as handwritten lyrics to Anderson’s classic ‘O Superman.’ This is the first exhibition to pair and present these influential and iconoclastic artists and friends.

The exhibition delves into the ways both artists manipulate language to challenge conventional thought, explore the power of communication, and expose the potential pitfalls of information transmission in the modern world.

Burroughs was a key, frequently controversial figure of the Beat Generation, author of influential books including Junkie , Naked Lunch and The Place of Dead Roads

Jack Kerouac called William Burroughs the “greatest satirical writer since Jonathan Swift,” while Norman Mailer declared him “the only American writer who may be conceivably possessed by genius”.

Laurie Anderson is one of America’s most celebrated innovative artists. A seminal figure in contemporary art and Grammy Award-winning musician, Anderson has produced pioneering works that defy categorization and have blurred the boundaries of performance, theater, visual art and experimental music/sound.

‘William S. Burroughs & Laurie Anderson: Language is a Virus’ is on view thru December 7. The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery is located on the campus of Florida Southwestern State College, next to the Barbara B.

Mann Performing Arts Hall, 8099 College Pkwy SW in Fort Myers. The gallery is open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm & Sat 11am-3pm. Admission is free. For information, call 489-9313.

Sand Sculpting Championship Returns to Fort Myers Beach

The 34th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship returns to Fort Myers Beach, November 21-24, showcasing World Class Master Sand Sculptors. With the addition of the Advanced Amateur State Championship and an Amateur contest, it offers artists of different skill levels to demonstrate their creativity. And it offers guests the opportunity to watch as these works of art are created.

The event is not just a competition—it’s a celebration of art, community, and family fun. The vendor village will provide an array of shopping options, food stands, and live music, as well as a variety of activities for children.

The Championship, the largest sand sculpting event in Florida, is open 10am-6pm each day. Sculptures and events

The American Sand Sculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach, November 21-24, is the largest sand sculpting event in Florida.

will be located on the beach in front of the Diamondhead Beach Resort. For information, call 454-7500.

Naples Film Festival in New Alamo Cinemas

The Naples International Film Festival will take place October 24-27 at the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Mercato.

Now in its 16th year, the Film Festival draws filmmakers, industry professionals and film enthusiasts from around the globe and features a wide range of independent films, including narrative features, documentary features, short films and student films. Cash prizes are awarded in 12 categories.

In addition to film screenings at Alamo Drafthouse, The Film Festival will also feature select films on a 24-foot outdoor screen in Norris Garden on the Artis—Naples campus. The festival’s closing night will feature a screening of Tim Burton’s Batman in Concert in Hayes Hall, with the Naples Philharmonic performing the iconic score live, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.

An Opening Night Film & Party kicks off the 16th annual Naples Film Festival on Thursday, October 24 with a red carpet entrance at 6pm and party in an illuminated Norris Garden with cocktail party. An independent film will be screened at 7pm. After the film, VIP ticket holders can meet and mingle with filmmakers on the Baird Terrace on the third floor of The Baker Museum for cocktails.

The Festival closes with awards ceremony at 5:30pm in Daniels Pavilion at Artis—Naples, followed by complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres under the stars in Norris Garden. At 7:30, Jack Everly and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra perform the Batman score in Hayes Hall. After the film, head back to Daniels Pavilion to enjoy dessert and a nightcap.

Artis—Naples is located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Mercato is located at 9118 Strada Place in Naples. For information, call 597-1900.

Opera Naples Competition

Opera Naples is expanding its educational offerings for emerging professional singers, in collaboration with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. Budding singers may now choose different training and competition options which are designed to develop their vocal and performance abilities and advance their professional careers.

From January 7-19, the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy will offer an intensive two-week program culminating in two performances of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, January 17 & 19 in the Wang Opera Center in Naples.

Emerging professional singers are invited to apply to esteemed programs which include renowned representatives from the opera world on faculty and jury. Participants will immerse themselves in a transformative thirteen-day experience, engaging in rigorous coaching, stage and orchestra rehearsals for Donizetti’s beloved opera Don Pasquale while also participating in masterclasses and lectures led by a distinguished faculty of representatives from the opera world.

A select group of participants will have the opportunity to perform in a fully staged production with orchestra under the baton of Opera Naples’ Artistic and Music Director, Ramón Tebar. With a commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent, tuition-free admission to the Academy will be offered for the chosen singers.

Originally founded by Ramón Tebar in collaboration with the legendary soprano Renata Scotto, this Academy is designed for emerging artists who aspire to launch their professional careers or enhance their existing paths, learning from some of the most revered figures in the operatic world.

Application deadline is November 1.

From January 16-18, the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition will bring 20 competitive singers to vie for four prizes valued at a minimum of $10,000 each. The final round

of the competition will be open to the public and take place at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music and the Arts. Singers of all voice types up to the age of 32 who are pursuing a professional operatic career can apply.

Application deadline is November 1.

The Voice Competition fosters the career development of promising young opera singers worldwide by providing a platform to be heard by a panel of industry professionals and compete for artistic contracts that will significantly further their careers.

This competition is a revival of the renowned Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition. Each winner will receive a minimum of $10,000 in contracts to perform roles and/or concerts with Opera Naples as well as other companies within the next two seasons of the award.

Winners should be available from February 24- March 2, 2025, to rehearse and perform in the 2025 Opera Naples ‘Festival Under the Stars’ opening night concert on February 27, 2025 in Naples and on March 1, 2025 with the Boca Raton Festival of the Arts in Boca Raton. Travel and lodging expenses are covered by Opera Naples.

The jury is presided over by Nicoletta Pavarotti and Ramón Tebar. Additional jury members include international singers, opera directors, casting directors, artistic directors and consultants of renowned opera houses.

The Wang Opera Center is located at 2408 Linwood Ave. in Naples. U. Tobe Recital Hall is located in Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music & the Arts’ music building, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. in Fort Myers.

For information, call 963-9050.

Digital Art Featured at Rookery Bay Gallery

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is hosting the exhibition, The Ocean Decade, featuring surreal digital art created by global artists, thru October 31.

The exhibition, ‘The Ocean Decade,’ featuring surreal digital art, is on view at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center outside Naples thru October 31.

The artwork reinforces the United Nation’s Ocean Decade initiative, which runs through 2030, and emphasizes the 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy, with the goal of encouraging deeper understanding and conservation of oceanic ecosystems.

The 7 Principles of Ocean Literacy

1.The ocean makes our planet habitable.

2.The ocean regulates the climate and the weather.

3.Humans are entirely dependent on a healthy ocean.

4.The ocean is home to the vast majority of animals.

5.Over 80% of the ocean remains unexplored.

6.Our world is shaped by the ocean and ocean life.

7.There is only one ocean.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located at 300 Tower Rd. in Naples. The Center

is open 9am-4pm Tue-Sat. Call 530-5972 for information.

Arts for ACT Gala Fundraiser Returns

After Hurricane Ian forced the cancellation of the last two year’s gala fundraisers, the 35th annual Arts for ACT Gala & Auction will be held October 5, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers.

‘The Swans’ Gala & Auction will feature a live auction led by renowned auctioneer Scott Robertson, with prizes including luxury trips, hotel stays, and art from award-winning artists. The silent auction will offer items donated by local businesses.

The evening will also feature cocktails, dinner and dancing, as well as a ‘Best Dressed’ contest.

The cocktails and silent auction start at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6pm. The live auction begins at 7pm., followed by dancing to The Original Studio 54 Band.

Proceeds directly support

HERTZ ARENA 11000 Everblades Pkwy • Estero 948-7825

Oct 25: vs Atlanta Gladiators

Oct 26: vs Atlanta Gladiators *.

Nov 8: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Nov 9: vs Orlando Solar Bears *

Nov 20: vs Kalamazoo Wings

Nov 22: vs Kalamazoo Wings

Nov 23: vs Kalamazoo Wings *

Dec 7: vs Jacksonville IceMen *

Dec 11: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Dec 18: vs South Carolina Stingrays

Dec 19: vs South Carolina Stingrays

Dec 20: vs South Carolina Stingrays *

Dec 28: vs Orlando Solar Bears *

Dec 30: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Jan 3: vs Jacksonville IceMen

Jan 15: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates

Jan 17: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates

Jan 18: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates *

Jan 31: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Feb 5: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Feb 7: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Feb 8: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits *

Feb 19: vs Tahoe Knight Monsters

Feb 21: vs Tahoe Knight Monsters

Feb 22: vs Tahoe Knight Monsters *

Feb 26: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Feb 28: vs South Carolina Stingrays

Mar 1: vs South Carolina Stingrays *

Mar 12: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates

Mar 14: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates

Mar 26: vs Jacksonville IceMen

Mar 28: vs Jacksonville IceMen

Mar 29: vs Jacksonville IceMen *

Apr 9: vs Atlanta Gladiators

Apr 11: vs Atlanta Gladiators

Apr 12: vs Atlanta Gladiators * Games 7:30pm except *7pm ** pre-season

ACT’s free, safe, and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite attire.

The Caloosa Sound Convention Center is located at 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers’ Historic River District. Call 9392553 for information.

‘Faces of Water’ Exhibition at Tribby Arts Center

Tribby Arts Center presents the exhibition, ‘Faces of the Water: The Artistry of Chris

Gug & Mike Sorge, October 4-December 28. ‘Faces of Water’ features stunning photography and elegant woodworks of underwater realms.

Chris Gug is considered by many to be America’s foremost underwater ocean photographer.

‘Faces of Water,’ on view at the Tribby Arts Center in Shell Point in Fort Myers, showcases underwater photography of Chris Gug and woodwork of Mike Sorge.

Gug will display 20 largeformat images printed on metal and representing locations in Australia, the Bahamas, Curacao, Dutch Antilles, Florida, Greece, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Mexico, New Guinea, and Turks & Caicos. Two 9-foot triptychs are standouts. While these and other images show the beauty of the underwater world, others in the exhibition show its humor and include pictures of a horse, a pig, and an elephant swimming

in the seas. In addition, Gug’s images often capture creatures that rise from the ocean depths at night to feed.

Mike Sorge is known for his large, wood-turned sculptures that seem to defy gravity and seek to uplift the human spirit. Sorge will display his signature forms evoking manta rays that swim beneath the oceans’ surfaces and the birds that soar above them.

Concurrently on display in the Tribby with ‘Faces of the Water’ is ‘In Fabric & Wood: Marie-Michelle McCarthy & Tom Young.’ This ‘legacy’ exhibition honors two of Shell Point’s most accomplished artists and will display needle-art works by McCarthy, including quilts and hooked rugs, as well as furniture, hand-carved objects, and more by Tom Young.

Tribby exhibitions are open and free of charge to all.

‘Faces of the Water’ is on view in the Shell Point Gallery, open Tue – Sat 10am. ‘In Fabric & Wood’ is on view in the Tribby’s Overlook and Legacy Galleries, 10am-5pm daily.

Tribby Arts Center is located at 17281 On Par Blvd. in the Coastal

Commons neighborhood of Shell Point in Fort Myers. For more information, call 415-5667.

Spooky

Light Show at Marie Selby’s Spanish Point Campus

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus presents ‘Lights at Spooky Point,’ a Halloween-themed light show, nightly October 9-31.

Visitors to ‘Lights at Spooky Point ‘will follow an eerily lit path through the wooded campus and past several of its historic structures, encountering Halloween decorations and light displays around every bend. Highlights include spectral ‘ghost orchids’ floating above the Pioneer Graveyard, giant ‘Dracula orchids’ draped with Spanish moss, and colorful ‘spider orchids’ clinging to their webs in the trees, inspired by actual plants of the same names.

Guests also will find plenty of pumpkins, scores of skeletons, and other Halloween classics. The show is designed for all ages, with just a few minor jump-scare opportunities to keep older kids happy.

A limited number of tickets will be sold for each night of the show, with two entry times available: 6:30 & 7:45 p.m. Guests with young children or mobility issues are encouraged to consider an earlier entry. Those who want the full ’Spooky Point’ experience can opt for a later entry, after dark.

Marie Selby Botanical Garden’s 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus is located at 401 N. Tamiami Trail in Osprey. For information, call 941-366-5731.

Benefit Celebrates 70s & 80s

The Cancer Alliance Network, a Southwest Florida nonprofit dedicated to supporting local

Marie Selby presents ‘Lights at Spooky Point,’ October 9-31 at their Spanish Point campus in Osprey.

cancer patients on their healing journeys, is hosting a ‘Retro Revival’, November 3, 5-8pm.

The ‘Retro Revival’ fundraiser, a celebration of the 70s & 80s, will include a dinner buffet, top-shelf open bar and plenty of dancing. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best period-era attire.

‘Retro Revival’ will be held at Kalea Bay in Naples, on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 5-8 p.m.

Kalea Bay is located at 13910 Old Coast Rd. in Naples. Call 6434673 for information.

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition at Cape Coral Library

The Cape Coral-Lee County Library hosts the exhibition, ‘Voices and Votes: Democracy

in America,’ a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition, through November 8.

‘Voices and Votes’ explores the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government ‘of, by and for the people’ and the action, reaction, vision, and revision that democracy demands. The multimedia display features historical and contemporary photos and video, and historical objects such as campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia and protest material.

The library is offering a series of public events and activities for all ages through October to complement the exhibition and highlight its central themes of civic responsibility and engagement.

Schools and community groups are encouraged to contact the library to schedule exhibit tours, as guides and special activities may be available during their visit.

Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library, located 921 SW. 39 Terrace, Cape Coral, is open MonWed 9am-8pm, Thu 9am-6pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Call 533-4500 for information.

New Season of Opera

by Cindy Reid

Opera Naples has announced their schedule of exciting events and performances for the 2024-2025 season. Highlights include ‘An Evening in Paris’ Gala, a collaborative partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, the annual Festival Under the Stars, and a full schedule of outstanding opera productions conducted by Opera Naples Artistic & Music Director Ramón Tebar. Devoted opera fans, as well as novices to the world of opera, will find there is something for everyone.

Community Engagement

In addition to their events and performances Opera Naples also reaches youngsters through extensive in-school and community music education programs, impacting over 4,000 students each year. In fact, Opera Naples has introduced opera to more than 64,000 children since its inception through these programs and performances in Lee and Collier counties, the Resident Artists Program and the Summer Youth Program. The company is also committed to nurturing the region’s promising young talent through the Opera Naples Academy, led by a faculty of prominent opera luminaries.

Opera Naples has introduced opera to more than 64,000 children since its inception through in-school and community educational programs and performances in Lee and Collier counties,

In the coming season, Opera Naples will continue their educational endeavors, which are supported by events such as EuroFest and the upcoming signature gala fundraiser, ‘An Evening in Paris,’ scheduled for December 5 at Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples. Funds raised from attendance, bids and contributions enable Opera Naples to continue their in-school educational programs, including in-school music enrichment, as well as Resident Artists, Opera Naples Academy, and community youth company.

The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation

The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation and Opera Naples will be presenting multiple events together this season. Led by the President of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Nicoletta Pavarotti, and Opera Naples’ Ramón Tebar, opera lovers will find many musical delights in this creative partnership, from roundtable discussions to soaring performances. Events include:

January 12: The Artistic Vision of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. Nicoletta Pavarotti will offer opera students her professional insight into how aspiring opera

singers can build successful careers, including the best use of leveraging media for professional advancement. In Luciano Pavarotti’s spirit of welcoming all people into the opera world, attendees will be able to speak in depth with Nicoletta Pavarotti in a Q&A format. In this round table discussion, she also will share an overview of the significant work of her Foundation as well as her vision for expanding the Foundation’s impact in the Naples community. At the Wang Opera Center, 2pm.

January 17-19: Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti.

The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy participants present the comic opera masterpiece with performances at the Wang Opera Center.

January 16-18: The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation International Voice Competition. The inaugural Pavarotti Opera Naples International Voice Competition, presented by Opera Naples in partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation and The Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University, will bring together talented up-and-coming singers from around the world to compete for coveted contracts with top opera houses. The competition takes place over several days with the final round open to the public on January 18, 7pm.

Nicoletta Pavarotti, President of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, says “I am grateful to Opera Naples and the city of Naples for such a warm welcome and appreciate the great enthusiasm everyone feels for the legacy of my late husband. As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of my husband’s birth in

Kalnins helped make last season’s ‘Festival Under the Stars’ the most successful to date.

2025, I am beyond excited that Opera Naples now carries on the legacy of the International Voice Competition, which was a cherished project that helped launch so many great opera careers. There is no better way to commemorate Luciano than with a season which emphasizes the development of the next generation of young singers.”

The competition will culminate with Pavarotti’s Voices Concert, which kicks off the 2025 Festival Under the Stars.

Festival Under the Stars

Opera Nables’ annual two-week outdoor opera and performing arts festival, Festival Under the Stars, will be held in downtown Naples’ Cambier Park, February 27-March 16, the fifth annual production of the popular event—the only outdoor winter opera festival in the United States. Tebar will lead the festival’s musical activities including three fully staged operas featuring internationally renowned artists, plus collaborative evenings with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, San Francisco Opera’s Adler Program, Festival of the Arts Boca, and Gulfshore Ballet. Events include:

February 27 : The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation’s

stage on opening night. Nicoletta Pavarotti is hosting the event. Cambier Park, 7pm

February 28: The Magic Flute, by Mozart. 7pm.

March 1: Family & Community Day. Free event features activities and special performances for the whole family. There will be a children’s themed opera performance by Opera Naples Resident Artists at noon, plus fun activities and games, a bounce house, face painting and balloon artistry. Cambier Park, festivities begin at 10am. March 2: The Magic Flute, by Mozart. Cambier Park, 7pm. March 3 : Reflections from Nicoletta Pavarotti . The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Celebrates Luciano’s 90th Anniversary with ‘Reflections from Nicoletta Pavarotti.’ Nicoletta Pavarotti shares details from her life with the famed tenor. Hear about her adventures with her late husband, including her legendary management of the Pavarotti & Friends benefit concerts, as well as her most recent professional accomplishments and pursuits. Wang Opera Center, 7pm.

Pavarotti’s Voices Concert. The winners of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition will take the

Ramón Tebar

March 6: La Bohème, by Puccini. Cambier Park, 7pm.

March 7: The Mikado, by Gilbert & Sullivan, Cambier Park, 7pm.

March 8: La Bohème, by Puccini, Cambier Park, 7pm.

March 9: The Mikado, by Gilbert & Sullivan, 7:30pm.

March 15: Sleeping Beauty, by Tchaikovsky, performed by Gulfshore Ballet. Wang Opera Center, 7pm.

March 16: Sleeping Beauty, by Tchaikovsky, performed by Gulfshore Ballet. Wang Opera Center, 7pm.

New Executive Director

In addition to its fabulous roster of upcoming events, Opera Naples announced the appointment of Melanie Kalnins as Executive Director, Development & Communications. Kalnins comes to Opera Naples with over two decades of experience in arts administration and marketing. Prior to moving to Naples, she spent 20 years in the marketing department of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She also more recently served Artis—Naples as Vice President of Marketing & Patron Engagement. At Opera Naples, Kalnins provided marketing

MUSIC ARTS

and publicity consulting services for the company last season, making the 4th annual ‘Festival Under the Stars’ the most successful to date.

“I am so delighted to be joining the Opera Naples team,” Kalnins commented.

“I was really impressed by the artistic excellence and programmatic variety of this past season’s Opera Naples ‘Festival Under the Stars’ and feel honored to be a key player in the magnificent cultural fabric of the Naples community. I am excited to have recently consulted with Nicoletta Pavarotti at her home in Italy as our maestro, Ramón Tebar, continues to plan ongoing collaborations with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. I also greatly value the incredibly warm reception I have enjoyed from the Opera Naples staff, board and supporters.”

“I feel I have found a wonderful group of people who are sincerely passionate about the opera art form, and I look forward to welcoming many more patrons into the great Opera Naples family.” •

Cambier Park is located at 755 8th Avenue S. in downtown Naples.. For information, visit operanaples.org or call 963-9050.

La Boheme

Community Theater in Cape Coral

by Gary Mooney

“The funny thing is, even after over 60 years, we constantly hear we are Cape Coral’s ‘Best Kept Secret.’”

HE CULTURAL PARK THEATRE COMPANY started out in 1963 as the ‘Cape Coral Players,’” explains Executive Director Robin Murray. “A group of locals felt that the growing community was the perfect place to host live theater. They were so successful, even serving for a while as a dinner theater, that in 1982 the City of Cape Coral gave them our theater building and we are still going strong. The funny thing is, even after over 60 years, we constantly hear we are Cape Coral’s ‘Best Kept Secret,’ or they never knew we were here, or they always wondered what was inside our building. So we work hard, especially over the last few years, to change that perception.”

The Cultural Park Theatre has a 184-person seating capacity. “We have one of the largest seating venues of any local theater,” explains Robin. “We have incredible state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and our lobby is beautiful, so we love to host opening night receptions and we open it an hour before every performance so people can have a drink and visit our concession stand.”

The 2024-25 Cultural Park Theatre Company (CPTC) season opened with The Big One-Oh! in September, and will be followed by Carrie, The Musical from October 18-27, Sealed for Freshness from November 15-24, Rudolph Jr. from December 11-15, and the 6th Annual Michael D’More Christmas Show on December 19.

The Beauty of Live Theater

“Carrie, The Musical is of course based on Steven King’s iconic novel and horror movie,” explains Robin. “It is a darker and scarier show than we usually do,

with terrific special effects, and we feel it will really resonate with our audiences. It touches on the aftereffects of bullying, as you never know what goes on in the homes of others and, as a result, what will set them off. We expect that our audience will leave this show with a different feeling and that is the beauty of live theater and why we work so hard to bring out-ofthe-box productions to the Theatre.”

Robin describes Sealed For Freshness as “A funny show written about the 1960s, when a group of women get together for a Tupperware party. The strict rule was ‘No Alcohol’ and of course they all drink, so this powerful dramedy at some point will touch your heart, make you laugh and at other times there are parts where you cry. Those are the types of performances we pride ourselves on.

Rudolph Jr. is a fun show to present for the holidays and on December 19, we host the 6th Annual Michael D’More Christmas Show. He was such a blast during last year’s Christmas show, where he performs traditional holiday songs as well as some of his favorites. When taking suggestions from the audience last year, they even threw snowballs at him at one point, so it is a fun and great time and a terrific family show.”

The season concludes with Grandmas Murder Club from January 24-February 2, Something Rotten from February 21-March 2, Southern Fried Funeral from March 21-30, and When The Bullfrog Sings Opera from May 23- June 1.

If you would rather be on the stage than in the audience, Robin encourages, “Go to our website and see ‘Auditions’ where you will see instructions as to what the director will require from you during the audition, like the number of bars from a song, and how you can find the shows on Amazon. You tend to audition better when you are familiar with the performance.”

“On a side note,” she says “We are now organizing the ‘Cultural Park Theatre Show Troupe’ for performances at Disney. People can contact Marketing Director Shaelyn Crabtree for information.”

Alive and Well in Cape Coral

In addition to its performance schedule, the Theatre offers many other forums to involve the community. “We have adult and children’s acting classes,” says Robin. “These are active classes, where we get our students on stage most of the time,

“That is the beauty of community theater—we give people the liberty to try things they never did before by opening up their minds.”

to keep their creative juices flowing, and that is fun. One gentleman in his late 30s never did theatre in his life, but once he got involved with us he loved it and now he is making a movie and writing a book. “That is the beauty of community theater—we give people the liberty to try things they never did before by opening up their minds, and that is beautiful. Our Kids Summer Camps are so popular that we will expand them to five sessions in 2025. They conclude the camps by hosting two shows.” She adds, “We offer children’s scholarships.”

If behind the scenes is more your style, the Cultural Park Theatre Company is still for you. “We have a constant need for volunteers,” emphasizes Robin. “You can help check in audience members, assist them to their seats, distribute programs and other information, get behind the concession stand, and even help us in making mimosas for our ‘Mimosa Matinees.’

Robin explains, “One thing historically missing from the Theatre was community outreach and part of the reason why we are a ‘Best Kept Secret.’ The Cultural Park Theatre is much more than just actors and volunteers, but the entire community and we prove every day that arts and the theater are alive and well in Cape Coral.”

Toward that end, Robin works to build even stronger partnerships with the local community. “We endeavor to create more youth and adult classes and programs. We strive to offer the most welcoming environment for all of our citizens, to make the Theatre Company a vital part of Southwest Florida. Becoming an integral part of our community’s cultural fabric isimportant to us. To emphasize this, our 2025-26 season will feature works from two local playwrights.

A Great Team

Robin encourages everyone to take part in or attend Cultural Park Thetre Company productions. “Experience the magic of a live theater performance firsthand,” she emphasizes. “Better yet, be a part of our shows, whether on stage or behind the scenes. A community theatre gives everyone that opportunity that you cannot get from most other local outlets, to try things you always wanted to do, but never had the chance before.”

“While I love our theatrical productions and shows, the best part is our people. We have an incredibly supportive Board of Directors, outstanding volunteers who stay until the job is done, a professional staff who love what they

“While I love our theatrical productions and shows, the best part is our people.”

do so much that it does not feel like jobs to us, and our talented actors and support staff, and of course our wonderful audiences.”

•

The Cultural Park Theatre is located at 528 Cultural Park Blvd. in Cape Coral, off SE 8th Place, between the Cape Coral Art League and Cape Coral Museum of History & Rose Garden. For information, call 772-5862.

Struggles, Failures & Success

AUTHOR STEVE ALMOND hates to write.

In fact, he calls the entire process “excruciating.”

Like many writers, when he sits down to write, he does other things instead: checks the Internet, gets up and wanders around, Googles his name, runs to the kitchen for a snack.

And, he confesses, he’s horrible at plotting.

Over three decades, Almond wrote five novels—all of which he deems failures. None were published.

by Nancy Stetson

Making Good Decisions

It’s all a matter of the decisions you make while you’re writing, he says.

Poor decisions lead to weak writing.

“Maybe they could’ve been stronger, truer, more precise,” he says. “And your job is to really just try to learn from the projects, the stories that don’t wind up being successful or don’t wind up getting published.”

“When people write a book that’s offering counsel about some creative endeavor, it doesn’t mean that they have all the answers.”

His sixth novel, All the Secrets of the World, did get published, and has been optioned for television by 20th Century Fox.

Almond has also written published collections of short stories and non-fiction, including Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America and Against Football, which were both on The New York Times Bestseller list. His work’s appeared in The New York Times Magazine and in the anthologies Best American Short Stories, Best American Mysteries and Best American Erotica. Earlier this year he published Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow: A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories.

He feels his struggles—and his three decades of teaching writing—make him uniquely positioned to write a book about the subject. (Almond currently teaches at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism.)

“When people write a craft book, a book that’s offering counsel about some creative endeavor, it doesn’t mean that they have all the answers,” Almond says. “For me, I experience writing as really difficult. I don’t want to read, ‘Just do X, Y, Z, and it’ll all be fine.’ My experience is that making decisions that wind up being not so great, is not uncommon, it’s inevitable.”

His own struggle writing “a bunch of failed novels, failed stories and essays,” and understanding why they fell short, helps him provide comfort for someone who’s at the beginning of their writing career or looking for advice.

“I don’t think there is a magic formula,” he says. “My experience with much of writing is that it’s really hard to sit down and make all those decisions. You know that they’re good decisions (but) you need to revisit them and revisit them.”

He wanted to write a book that was much more realistic about writing.

“I find it encouraging when other writers share their struggles,” he says. “When a story doesn’t get published, or a novel, it doesn’t mean your writing career is terrible and it’s over.”

He decided to write Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow because over his decades of teaching, he’s become very familiar with certain patterns that hold writers back.

“I see the same things over and over again,” he says, “and I see them in my own work.”

Things such as not having a strong enough narrator to guide a reader through a story, or not having a chain of consequence to provide the story with a rising action. Or writing a story with a confusing chronology, jumping back and forth in time in a way the reader finds difficult to follow.

“These are all things I’ve seen as a teacher, and all things I’ve done as a writer,” Almond says. “I felt I wanted to say to a broader audience all the things I’ve been saying to my classes: write a stronger narrator. Think about how to manage time in a story. All the craft stuff I say when I’m in a classroom. I can’t teach everybody [in person]. But I can put simple, direct language to some of these struggles.”

Almond, who’s been teaching at the Sanibel Island Writers Conference since the first one in 2006, will be teaching fiction at this year’s mini-conference. Almond will also give this year’s conference’s keynote address.

“Steve has been a Sanibel Conference core faculty member and MVP from the beginning,” says FGCU instructor Tom DeMarchi, founder and co-director of the annual event. “He’s always been a favorite in the classroom. It’s high time we asked him to keynote.”

DeMarchi is using Almond’s new book in his Writing Theory and Practice class this semester.

“I’m so excited to teach it,” he says. “It’s everything a craft book should be: brilliant, informative, practical, supportive, and hilarious. Kind of like Steve himself. It also contains plenty of fun writing exercises.”

The book also includes a Frequently Asked Questions section at the end, where Almond answers questions about agents, voice and the writing process, among other subjects.

His students, DeMarchi says, are loving it “Not just for the lessons he provides on craft, but also for his encouragement about leading the life of a writer. Reading Almond is inspiring in the most concrete,

He decided to write Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow because over his decades of teaching, he’s become very familiar with certain patterns that hold writers back.

least Hallmark way. He makes you want to write. More than that, he makes you feel as if nothing could be more important, redemptive, and transformative than crafting narratives.”

The Boston Globe also raved about the book.

“This isn’t just a book about writing,” it said in a book review. “It’s a book about honesty: what makes it elusive, the risks it implies, and not just how to pursue it, but also why.”

Dialing Back the Doubt

Almond, who’s still working on his keynote address, will talk about “What I call ‘the evil voices.’ Not just craft and not just inspirations, but the forces that rise up in us and inhibit us and make us feel doubt and get us blocked and distracted from the story we really want to tell. I really like talking about it,” he says.

“You can hear about craft in lots of classes, but it’s pretty rare to hear: ‘I’m a professional writer, I spend a lot of time doing it and [I deal with] writer’s block. I struggle with feeling guilty in the ways in which my work might expose people I love and tell stories that might make them feel uncomfortable.’ Those struggles never go away.

“We think, ‘Oh, our favorite author just rolls out of bed and writes brilliant sentences.’ We may not see their struggles and failures, but they’re having them.”

Successes

While Almond is unafraid to write nakedly about his failures as a writer, he’s enjoyed successes as well.

He’s thrilled that 20th Century Fox TV has optioned his novel, All the Secrets of the World, to be a series.

“They were excited enough about the book to option it before it came out,” he says. “The writer who’s part of the development team, Jon Feldman, is brilliant. He’s a veteran TV writer. He really understood the novel, and his vision for it for the screen is fantastic. I’m excited to see what comes next.”

“He makes you want to write. More than that, he makes you feel as if nothing could be more important, redemptive, and transformative than crafting narratives.”

“Students and students of writing will say, ‘Oh, this stuff takes me out of my flow and makes me feel blocked.’ Everybody goes through this. Writers who have been writing for 30 years also go through this.

“You’re always accompanied by your doubts. I don’t think you can totally shut them out. What I think you can do when you’re feeling insecure, anxious and distracted is try to remind yourself that… while those feelings are totally natural, you need to re-focus on the story.”

The solution, he says, is to try to dial down the doubt.

“You can’t get rid of those dials,” he says. “They’re installed at birth. Everyone has their own doubts and insecurities. As a writer, you tell some truths and break some silences. People feel worried about that. But it’s possible to turn those dials down so that you can re-focus on the story.”

One problem is that writers compare their shaky, unfinished first drafts to other writers’ polished, final work.

“What we see of published authors is all of their successes,” he explains, “but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath that is all the work that never got published, all the early drafts they had to go through. We never see that part of it.

In 2007, Almond co-wrote a novel with author Julianna Baggott called Which Brings Me to You. It was recently made into a movie.

“That was an incredibly fun experience,” Almond says. “She just proposed, ‘Do you want to write a novel with me? I’ve got an idea.’ It was kinda crazy. She’s an amazing writer, prolific and ferocious. I didn’t know if she was for real.

“She sent me the first chapter, and I thought, ‘This is incredible.’ So I wrote her the second chapter, because I was so jazzed about what she’d written, and sent it to her. So then she sent back the third chapter, and I wrote the next one. We alternated chapters.”

A movie version of the book, starring Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff, was recently released and is streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime.

“She was really good about keeping it alive [and] in development.

“Lucy Hale was the one who got it made. She’s a famous actress, and loved the book. And her 20 zillion Instagram followers found out about it.”

Almond also co-wrote the advice column, ‘Dear Sugar,’ with The New York Times bestselling author Cheryl Strayed, whose own memoir, Wild, was made into a movie. (Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the movie.) He also co-hosted their ‘Dear Sugar”’ podcast for The New York Times for four years.

“Part of the reason I wrote Truth is the Arrow in the way I did, emphasizing my own struggles as a writer, comes directly with the work I did with Cheryl Strayed,” he says. “We didn’t want to be the advice columnists [who said]: ‘We know exactly what you should do.’

We knew to listen to people’s struggles and [let them] know they weren’t alone, and share a thing or two about our own struggles, and the things we learned.

“That’s the approach I took to writing. With Truth is the Arrow, Mercy Is The Bow, we talk about Radical Empathy. It’s a phrase I use when I talk about how workshops should be run.”

The letters they responded to in their column were so honest and clearly written that people asked if they had polished up the letters.

“People find the voice they need when they speak that truth,” Almond says. “We have that proof from the thousands of letters we received.

“Everybody is a storyteller.”

“I’m biased; I think the movie version is terrific,” Almond says. “I was shocked and delighted [this happened], it’s such a long shot. They base the characters on the characters Julianna and I had created, but beyond that, I had nothing to do with it. I praise the filmmakers and actors. It’s so smart and funny and just a lot better than it had to be. I really love it.”

He credits his co-writer with getting the film made. “She knows the world of film,” he says.

• Because Sanibel Island is still recovering from Hurricane Ian, the conference, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University, will be held on campus at the school November 8 & 9. The conference is free and open to the public.

The mini-conference will offer workshops on Saturday, November 9. In addition to Almond, who will teach about using your obsessions as your muse, the writing instructors include: Kyle Arrington (screenwriting/TV), Andrea Askowitz (storytelling/memoir), Lynne Barrett (writing mystery and suspense), John Dufresne (flash fiction), Denise Duhamel (poetry), MJ Fievre (poetry/ memoir), Alison Langer (storytelling/memoir) and Geoffrey Philip (poetry/haiku). •

The Sanibel Island Writers Conference will take place November 8 & 9 in the Cohen Student Union on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus, located at 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. in Fort Myers.

Steve Almond’s keynote address is November 8, 6-9pm in room 138 in the nearby Water School buidling, Academic Building 9. For more information, visit fgcu.edu/siwc or call 590-7421.

“In Brazil, soccer is a religion so volleyball is the ‘First Sport’”

The Bucs Do Not Stop Here

THAIS BAZIQUETTO-ALLEN, the smart, savvy and stylish Head Volleyball Coach of the two-time defending National Champion Lady Bucs of Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), hails from Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Brazil. She starred at Brazil’s highest level of amateur club volleyball, then played collegiately in the US, first at St. Petersburg College, then at Western New Mexico University, graduating with honors. Her coaching career began with one season as a Lamar Community College assistant before becoming head coach at Liberal High School, where her teams went 97 & 57 over four seasons. That led to a three-year run as Seward County Community College head coach in Liberal, Kansas, where she amassed an 86 & 28 mark. Her final squad went 33 & 2, reaching #3 nationally.

In 2018, Thais became Head Coach of the brandnew FSW Woman’s Volleyball program and took no prisoners! In her five FSW seasons, her teams are 119 & 24 including 54 & 4 in conference play. Her last two squads are an historic 58 & 2, the best Junior College Volleyball record in the last quarter-century, including back-to-back National Championships, with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) naming her Coach of the Year each time. She coached the last two National Players of the Year in Barbara Koehler in 2022 and Roberta Purashaj last year. Thais lives in Cape Coral with husband Roy and dogs Kai and Ace.

by Gary Mooney

Brazilian players when Thais walks into the gym. I said to them: ‘See that girl; I am going to marry her,’ and they replied, ‘Yeah—right; you have No Chance!’ We needed ice so Thais let me into the training room and that was our first introduction.” They married in 2012.

“This Would Be My Baby”

While at Seward, a friend called Thais to say that FSW was starting a Woman’s Volleyball program and “I would be a good fit. FSW conducted a telephone interview and I did my homework. I explained how exciting it would be to start a program from scratch—that this would be my baby! The funny thing is that when the interview ended, I thought, ‘there is no way I get that job.’” FSW Athletic Director George Saunders however soon offered Thais the position, explaining that “other candidates did not do as much homework as I did and that separated me from the crowd.”

Accepting however was not easy. “My last Seward team was loaded, with almost all our players returning, despite no scholarships,” she says. “We lived in a small town and owned it,” explains Roy. “We had great department freedom, just bought our first home and our two dogs were pups. That evening, we talked most of the night and it got quite emotional. Finally, I asked Thais, ‘Can you win a national championship at Seward” and she replied, “No.” Then I asked, “Can you win one at FSW?” and she said, “Yes.” I said, “Then call George and accept.”

2022 Player of The Year

Barbara Koehler explains what Thais means to her: “She is a personal role model and not just as a coach, but as a human being.“

The Lady Bucs are one of only nine squads to win the National Championship and Team Academic Award in the same season.

“My Dad, who was a volleyball player, taught the game to me and my brother and sister,” Thais recalls. “In Brazil, soccer is a religion so volleyball is the ‘First Sport!’” Even though she loves volleyball, fate brought her into coaching. “Honestly, I never thought about it but after graduating, a former teammate became the Lamar head coach and asked me to be her assistant. I ran drills and some practices, loved the joy I got when I saw a player progress, and learned that I was meant to be a volleyball coach.”

Love at First Sight

Thais is one-half of an FSW dynamic duo, as her husband Roy is the Sports Information Director who recently won the ‘NJCAA National Sports information Director of the Year Award.’ When they first met, it was love at first sight.

“It was for me, for sure,” Thais says smiling. “It was at a volleyball tournament and we were with different teams.” Roy adds, “I was sitting with three

Thais is a global recruiter, as evidenced by her 2023 roster of four Italians, three from Brazil and solo players from Argentina, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, and Slovakia, along with two Floridians. “It takes years to develop those connections,” she explains. “While volleyball is obviously important, the girls and their families want a program and coach who will care for them, as many are from halfway around the world. Of course, the first thing I do when recruiting is to send photographs of Suncoast Credit Union Arena, our first-class dormitory and Fort Myers Beach, as those are big selling points!”

COVID-19 & Ian

In Thais’s second season, COVID-19 struck, then halfway through her fourth year, Hurricane Ian decimated Southwest Florida. “In all that uncertainty, I hope I was a clear leader to our young women. With COVID-19, the whole world struggled with it, but Ian was completely different, as it wiped out just our local area.”

Thais and Roy evacuated with the team for what was to be three days “but it became sixteen,” she exclaims! “That uncertainty helped me to learn to focus on what I can control and just roll with everything else. Since Suncoast was an emergency response staging area, Florida Gulf Coast University and Bishop Verot High School let us use their gyms for a few ‘home’ matches. I became the team cook, preparing three meals a day for 16 straight days and learned that 18 to 20-year-old female volleyball players eat like a football team. While we were vagabonds, I constantly reminded them of all the things we were thankful for, like being safe and healthy together, and that all our season’s goals remained within our reach. In all that insanity, we won our first national championship!”

Thais is a global recruiter, as evidenced by her 2023 roster of four Italians, three from Brazil and solo players from Argentina, Peru, Portugal, Serbia,and Slovakia, along with two Floridians.

is the type of person I strive to be. No matter the situation, Thais is there for you and empathizes with

“What I Love to Do”

Thais is not much older than her players, so how does she think they view her? “I am obviously their coach, but I hope I am a mentor as well. I enjoy excellent relations with many former players and not just the stars. One girl I sadly cut recently said she understood and actually appreciated it and that changed my life.” 2022 Player of The Year Barbara Koehler explains what Thais means to her: “She is a personal role model and not just as a coach, but as a human being. She does everything to the best of her ability and that

what you are going through, so I want to be just like her. Of all the people I met throughout my life, she is the absolute best!”

FSW volleyball players are not only stars on the court but in the classroom, as the 2023 National Champions attained a 3.61 GPA to receive their fifth straight AVCA Team Academic Award, one for each year of the program’s history. The Lady Bucs are one of just 18 NJCAA Division 1 programs to earn this designation and they join their 2022 National Champion counterparts as one of only nine squads to win the National Championship and Team Academic Award in the same season. “It takes a certain type of discipline to succeed in our program,” Thais stresses. “We closely monitor their grades and have a first-class academic advisor who sees the girls weekly. We hold regular team study halls and extra ones as necessary and we explain to them upfront in the recruiting

process that we expect our girls to attain As and Bs.”

So, what is the best part of working with 18 to 20-year-old women? “Their eagerness and drive,” Thais says. “They are still in many ways a blank canvas so they are always ready to try something new and when you see them grow, those are fun moments.” And conversely? “Sometimes they make me feel old,” Thais laughs. “It seems like there is a new must-use app every few months and when I hear them talk in the current slang and have no idea what they are saying, I wonder, ‘Am I really this old now?’”

remaining home games

Oct 5: vs Hillsborough Community College

Oct 23: vs Miami Dade College

Oct 26: vs Polk State College

Nov 1 & 2: Florida Volleyball Championship Tournament at Suncoast Credit Union Arena (winner advances to the national championship tournament)

Before every game, Thais makes a ‘heartshape’ with her hands that she flashes to the crowd. “I love the passion our community shows, because we cannot win National Championships with just our players and coaches; it really does take a village. I love that FSW President Dr. Jeffery Allbritten finishes his public presentations by shouting, ‘Go Bucs!’ George Saunders is everything you want in an athletic director and our other FSW coaches are so supportive. The training and academic staffs have us ready to go physically and mentally. Our fans are the best and it is impossible to list all of Roy’s contributions. We realize that FSW Volleyball represents the Southwest Florida community and we want to make you proud. I am very thankful for all their love and support while doing what I love to do!” •

Worth A Listening

by Jason MacNeil

Sarah Jarosz

Polaroid Lovers

(RoundeR RecoRds)

Although it came out only weeks into 2024, Sarah Jarosz’s Polaroid Lovers should be a lock to end up on year-end lists of the Best Albums. Jarosz, who moved from New York City to Nashville, has a fuller, more consistent effort on this, the singer-songwriter’s seventh album. And she’s opted for a bit more edge this time around, as ‘Jealous Moon’ kicks things off perfectly. It’s a punchy jewel that brings to mind Kathleen Edwards and an early Brandi Carlile. The same feel returns halfway through the record with the delightful and infectious ‘Dying Embers.’

Jarosz, has four Grammy Awards to her credit, and if she’s not adding one or two more with Polaroid Lovers it will be a travesty.

What makes Polaroid Lovers work so well is its consistency, from the lighter, highbrow pop of ‘When The Lights Go Out’ to the Americana flavor of ‘Runaway Train,’ Jarosz sounds confident delivering each well-crafted piece of ear candy. Meanwhile, when she delves into the softer folksy side on ‘The Way It Is Now’ she’s simply magical with a voice that is almost criminally smooth. There’s no padding or filler here at all, especially when a deep cut like the slow-building ‘Take The High Road’ could’ve easily been a single.

The homestretch shines with the gorgeous, earnest ‘Don’t Break Down On Me’ sounding like a tune that would make Rosanne Cash envious. Then there’s the dusty, ‘Harvest Moon’-like feel to ‘Days Can Turn Around’ that ambles along perfectly. Jarosz, previously a member of I’m With Her alongside Sara Watkins and Aoife O’Donovan, has four Grammy Awards to her credit, and if she’s not adding one or two more with Polaroid Lovers then it will be a travesty. ‘Good At What I Do’ is a great song here, but also probably the understatement of the year for Sarah Jarosz.

Royel Otis

Pratts & Pain

(ouRness RecoRds)

The youthful up-and-coming Australian duo of Royel Maddell & Otis Pavlovic released a few EPs during the pandemic years, but waited until this past February to issue their debut album. And it a keeper. It’s taken off so well the band have made more than one return to North America, with their upcoming jaunt in bigger venues than the first go around. The record teems with great guitar soaring rock gems like ‘Adored,’ one of five singles off Pratts & Pain they’ve released. Fans of Phoenix, Vampire Weekend and even The Strokes circa Is This It? would find comfort in the stellar ‘Fried Rice’ and ‘IHYSM.’ And the same can be said for ‘Heading For The Door,’ a thoughtful song with a rich melody.

Although the groove-soaked ‘Foam’ slows things down a wee bit, ‘Sonic Blue’ returns to what works for them so well: a basic sparse blueprint with a knack for crafting toe-tapping pop bliss and tunes you will be humming throughout the day weeks later. The one outlier might be the Velvet Underground-ish feel on the primal, ramshackle ‘Velvet.’

The second half fares as well, with the sullen ‘Molly’ resembling a downtempo Nirvana. Yet once again the craftsmanship comes to the fore with ‘Daisy Chain’ and ‘Glory To Glory.’ Most albums would’ve petered out by now with the bar set so high, but Royel Otis go above and beyond for an album that, to steal a line from their song ‘Sofa King,’ is just so (expletive) gorgeous.

Courting

New Last Name

(LoweR ThiRd RecoRds)

Liverpool rock group Courting won’t be mistaken for the Fab Four anytime soon, but this sophomore effort (issued earlier this year) has a rollicking, feel-good vibe about it. ‘Throw’ recalls bands from a decade ago like Sweden’s Shout Out Louds and Scottish band The Fratellis. Courting’s lead singer Sean Murphy-O’Neill sets the tone for the head-bobbing ditty

“When it hits, it hits,” Cave wrote of Wild God. “It lifts you. It moves you.”

rounded out by guitarist Joshua Cope, bassist Connor McCann and drummer Sean Thomas. Each musician is excellent, but the sum of the parts make for an even better whole if the exquisite and angular-rock feel from ‘Happy Endings’ is any measuring stick.

The album is a chipper, bouncy affair with ‘We Look Good Together (Big Words),’ a sleek, polished indie-rock nugget. However Courting have a lot more to offer here as a lot of the songs are sonic trips, especially ‘The Hills,’ which changes gears throughout its nearly five pristine minutes before the huge, bombastic faux ending. The band has some pop smarts and sensibilities on the upbeat ‘Flex’ as they infer The Killers’ ‘Mr. Brightside’ with a lyric about a girl catching a cab.

Courting’s highlight here probably is ‘Emily G.’ It could be a great three-minute single, but the band’s adventurous nature pays off, riding the hook for almost six minutes. After that it’s more quality output as ‘The Wedding’ will be married to your playlists for sometime, coming off like a classic Third Eye Blind single. On the whole, Courting will woo you from the start, and like the conclusion of ‘Happy Endings,’ you should find yourself giving them a hearty round of applause.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Wild God

(PLay iT again sam RecoRds)

I became a listener of Nick Cave with his 1997 album The Boatman ’s Call . Although he remained off my radar for some time after that, Cave’s work with Grinderman put him back on.

Cave’s latest release, Wild God, is the followup to 2019’s Ghosteen and a record he says there was “no fucking around with” and “bursts out of the speaker.” He is spot-on as ‘Song Of

The Lake’ instantly provides a wide, bombastic soundscape that sounds like he’s backed by a symphony and choir. It’s blueprint the musician revisits at times on Wild God, especially on the lush ‘Frogs,’ a sprawling tune that should be a setlist staple in concert. And all the while mentioning Kris Kristofferson.

The title track references the lady in his classic ‘Jubilee Street’ as Cave builds slowly but methodically into a vast, uplifting wall of sound, resembling something Elvis might have attempted in his latter days. Fortunately, there are other gems here, especially the beautifully crafted ‘Joy’ that focuses more on Cave’s lyrics and less on the music. This only accentuates the narrative to even greater than expected heights.

There’s no true highlight here, although ‘Long Dark Night’ is close with its feel similar to ‘The Boatman’s Call.’ The album is just a series of better than expected songs of pain, redemption, loss and finding the happiness, will and strength to carry on.

Wild God is bound to be an album that is going to leave you speechless in concert. “When it hits, it hits,” Cave wrote of the record. “It lifts you. It moves you.” It certainly does. •

2024-2025 Music & Theater Season Guide

performing arts center located in the heart of southwest Florida. Since the 1970s, they’ve been transforming lives and improving community through the arts. Their yearround schedule of events has become a staple for our community to connect with each other and to the arts during gallery exhibitions, art classes and theatre productions. The Alliance is a creative space that spurs and supports self-expression, imagination and equity.

schedule

Theatre Conspiracy

Dec 2-22: Clown Bar 2

Feb 13-23: Jitney

Mar 13-16: Storuytelling Festival

May 29-Jun 1: Fringe Festival Youth theatre

Oct 18-20: Spongebob - the Musical Dec 6-8: Marian, Or the True Tale of Robin Hood

Feb 1 & 2: Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo Kids

Apr 3-6: Heathers - the Musical Teen Edition

May 15-18: Peter/Wendy

Jun: In the Heights concerts

Oct 27: Morgan Brake Band, Duck Wallow Lane

Nov 24: HWY 41 South

Dec 15: Bill Metts, Frank Corso

Jan 12: The Flatlanders

Feb 9: Low Ground

Mar 9: Swinging Bridge american communitY music association concerts

Jan 26: House of Hamill

Feb 16: Grant Peeples, JD Lashley

Mar 23: The Honey Badgers, Fred Bell

Music Association

concerts at

All Faiths Unitarian Congregation

2756 McGregor Blvd. • Fort Myers 239-691-4069

americanacma.org

Each show has a local songwriter opening

for a touring headliner. Shows are in a listening room so the audience can enjoy the music and the stories behind the songs. ACMA also presents shows throughout the community. schedule

Oct. 2: Jon Shain, Chuck Williams

Oct 5: Luke Bulla, Steve Waterbury

Oct 10: Heather Pierson Duo (tribby arts center, shell Pt, Ft Myers)

Oct 17: Brian Smalley, Bill Metts, Roy Scheider (calusa nature center PlanetariuM, Ft Myers)

Nov 2: Jefferson Ross, Matt Hannam

Nov 16: David G Smith, Ray Boone

Nov 23: Blue Cactus, Pete Bensen

Dec. 7: Cliff Eberhardt, Louise Coombe

Jan 4: The Reckless Saints, The Bernardis

Jan 9: Grace Morrison and Marc Berardo D’hruva (calusa nature center PlanetariuM, Ft Myers)

Jan 18: Shanna in Dress, The Lost Lakers, Tim & Karen Foote

Feb 1: Verlon Thompson, Ray Cerbone

Feb 22: Darren Nicholson Band, Ralph Leeseberg

Mar 1: Hank Woji & Friends, Bill Frey

Mar 15: Annie & Rod Capps, Mary Dahl

Mar 29: Rod Abernathy, Karen Cohen

Apr 12: Rebecca Folsom, Carolyn & David Stanley

Apr 26: Tanner Bingaman, Mike McMillan songwriters on the Plaza (downtown Ft Myers library) free

Nov 12: Fred Ball, JD Lashley, Gareth Rockliffe

Dec 10: Mac Martin, Bob Patetta, Peter Slota

Jan 14: Bob Patetta, Ray Cerbone, Chakulla

Feb 11: Matt Hannam, Ray Boone, Bruce Gallant

Mar 11: Bob Williams, Kim Mayfield, Marie Nofsinger

Apr 8: Steve Waterbury, Boz Nabozny, Bill Veach

acMa at the alliance (alliance For the arts, 10091 Mcgregor blvd, Ft Myers)

Jan 26: House of Hamill, Bob Williams

Feb 16: Grant Peeples, JD Lashley

Mar 23: The Honey Badgers, Fred Ball

Bonita Beach Rd.

oFFice: 239-495-8989

The Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, features the 400-seat Hinman Auditorium and the 200-seat Moe Auditorium & Film Center. This vibrant venue offers a diverse array of live music, theater, comedy, lectures, and classes in art, music, theater, and dance for all ages. schedule

Oct 3: Martin

Oct 4: Carmen Lynch

Oct 5: Jesse Dayton

Oct 10: Sudamerica Latin GrooveLuis Miguel Tribute

Oct 12: Chris O’Leary

Oct 17-20: Hadestown - Teen Edition

Oct 24: Zach Bartholomew - Wayne Shorter’s Music

Nov 1: Abba Mania Canada

Nov 2: Sean Chambers

Nov 7: Sudamerica Latin Groove - From Bolivia to USA

Nov 9: Marlow Rosado - Mambo!

Nov 14: Funny Old Broads

Nov 15: Martin

Nov 16: Vanessa Collier

Nov 21: Zach Bartholomew & David Fernandez - The Lost City

Nov 22: Mark Sanders - Celebrating Broadway’s Jerry Herman

Nov 23: Gary Hoey’s Ho Ho Hoey Tour

Dec 6: The Po’ Ramblin Boys

Dec 7: Lee Roy Parnell - A Texas Flavored Christmas

Dec 11: Sudamerica Latin Groove – Classical Groove

Dec 13: Winter Serenade - Magic Holiday Memories

Dec 14: Mike Zito

Dec 19: Zach Bartholomew - A Charlie Brown Christmas

Dec 20: Mark Sanders - Celebrating Broadway at Christmas

Dec 21: Compton & Bennett - The Home For the Holidays Theatre

Jan 3: Celebrating Broadway with Mark Sanders

Jan 4: Donna the Buffalo

Jan 8: Martin

Jan 9: Zach Bartholomew - Featuring Jeff Ellwood

Jan 15: Sudamerica Latin GrooveGirl Power

Jan 16: Rick Howard - Mudbone Jam

Jan 17: Marlow Rosado - Salsa Meets Disco

Jan 18: Allan Harris

Jan 19: Chicago Transit

Jan 23: Monroe Crossing

Jan 24: Empire Trio - From Hollywood to Broadway

Jan 25: Ronnie Baker Brooks

Jan 30: The Weight Band

Jan 30-Feb 2: The Boy from Block 66

Feb 11: Sudamerica Latin Groove

Feb 12: Rick Howard - Swing & Sing with Danny Sinoff

Feb 13: Zach Bartholomew - the Music of Bill Evans

Feb 14: Love Letters

Feb 14: Where Do I Begin - Love Songs & Music of Tony Bennett

Feb 15: Hotel California

Feb 19: Martin

Feb 20: Celebrating Broadway with Mark Sanders

Feb 20: Backtrack Blues Band

Feb 22: Cyrille Aimée

Feb 26: Soul Cruisers - Destination Soultown

Mar 5: The Incorrigibles - Classic Soul & Motown

Mar 6: Zach Bartholomew - featuring Kate Kortum

Mar 7: Dervish

Mar 8: John Jorgenson Quintet

Mar 9: Night with Nelsons

Mar 12: Sudamerica Latin GrooveWorld Music Celebration

Mar 13: Celebrating Broadway with Mark Sanders

Mar 22: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

Mar 22: Spill - A Staged Reading

Mar 28: Martin

Mar 29 & 30: Compton & BennettAssisted Living, the Musical

Apr 2: Dailey & Vincent

Apr 3: Rick Howard - Jazz Meets the Blues

Apr 4: Uri Gurvich

Apr 9: Sudamerica Latin Groove - Brazil Latin Groove

Apr 11, 12, 18, 19: Jesus Christ Superstar (Arts Bonita Actor Theatre)

Apr 23: Martin

Apr 24: Zach Bartholomew - Evolutions & Revolutions in Latin Jazz

Apr 26: Marlow Rosado - Encore Fiesta Latin Season Highlights

May 10: Victor Wainwright & the Train

May 15: Sudamerica Latin GrooveSLG & Friends

May 16: Journeyman - Tribute to Eric Clapton

May 23: Martin

BIG ARTS

900 Dunlop Rd • Sanibel 239-395-0900

bigarts.org

Welcome to BIG ARTS 45th season, brimming with fabulous films, exciting fine arts exhibits, world class performers, stimulating workshops and engaging, thought-provoking lectures. Another wonderful year with a wealth of offerings for everyone.

schedule

Dec 12: Holiday Concert - BIG ARTS

Community Chorus & Concert Band

Dec 14: Gulfshore Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Jan 16: Chris Mann sings Tony Bennett Songbook

Jan 16: Young Concert Artists on Tour

Jan 18: Always Loretta - The Ultimate Loretta Lynn Tribute

Jan 24: Davina & the Vagabonds

Jan 31: The Barricade Boys

Feb 6: David Shifron & Miro Quartet

Feb 8: Authentic Unlimited

Feb 13: Jupiter & Jasper Quartets

Feb 14: Phat Cat Swinger

Feb 20: Ilya Yakushev

Feb 26: Ailey II Dance Company

Feb 27: Fandango!

Mar 1: Late Nite Catechism - The Holy Ghost & Other Terrifying Tales

Mar 7: Gulf Coast Symphony

Mar 8: George Michael Reborn!

Mar 14: Jazz at Lincoln Center presents New Orleans Songbook

Mar 20: Peking Acrobats

Mar 22: Annual Benefit - Shadows of the 60s

Mar 29: The Players - Music of Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire

Apr 11: Spring Concert - BIG ARTS

Community Chorus & Concert Band

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

1380 Colonial Blvd. • Fort Myers 239-278-4422

broadwaypalm.com

Broadway Palm has been Florida’s Premier Dinner Theatre for more than 30 years. The theatre entertains over 170,000 guests annually by combining an impressive array of Broadway musicals and an awardwinning buffet. Broadway Palm features nationally selected performers, dazzling sets and costumes, and a live orchestra. schedule

thru Nov 9: Chicago - the Musical

Nov 22-Dec 25: A Christmas Carolthe Musical

Dec 31-Feb 15: Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story

Feb 21-Apr 5: Crazy for You

Apr 11-May 24: Waitress

May 30-Jun 28: Legally Blonde - the Musical

Jul 3-Aug 9: Annie

OFF BROADWAY PALM

Oct 10-Nov 16: Barefoot in the Park

Nov 28-Dec 25: Another Night Before Christmas

Jan 14-Feb 23: Caught in the Net

Feb 28-Apr 13: Savannah Sipping Society

Apr 18-May 24: Half Baked CONCERTS

Nov 12-16: Rat Pack Live!

Jan 26 & 27: Britain’s Finest

Feb 24 & 25: Buffett’s Margaritaville

Mar 9 & 10: Tribute to the King

Apr 23 & 24: ABBAFab

BROADWAY PALM

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Dec 3-24: The Elves & The Shoemaker

Mar 6-Apr 3: Elephant & Piggies - We Are in a Play

Jun 12-17: The Spongebob Musical

2024-2025 Music & Theater Season Guide

Charlotte Players

LANGDON PLAYHOUSE

1182 Market Circle • Port Charlotte Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center

75 Taylor Rd. • Punta Gorda Charlotte Performing Arts Center 701 Carmalita St. • Punta Gorda 941-255-1022

charlotteplayers.org

Charlotte Players have performed in Charlotte County since 1961. The theatrical company has produced over 375 productions with over 2,600 individual performances since their humble beginnings. In addition, Charlotte Players has contracted national talent for over 100 different entertainment productions over the last 16 years. Their theatrical productions are presented in the Langdon Playhouse, black box theater.

schedule

charlotte Players

Oct 10-27: Beware the House on Haunted Hill

Nov 21-Dec 15: No Sex Please, It’s Christmas

Jan 9-26: Four Old Broads

Feb 6-28: Drinking Habits

Mar 13-30: A Murder is Announced

Apr 10-27: Sex Please, We’re Sixtythe Musical

May 15-25: Mana Does Vegas! concerts & coMedy at langdon Playhouse

Nov 1: A Shining Star is Born

Dec 19 & 20: Christmas for Kids

Dec 31: New Year’s Eve USO Show

Jan 31: Venturino’s Comedy ClubLarry Venturino, Sheena Regan, Jander Gray, Caroline Post

Mar 7: Venturino’s Comedy ClubWhite Collar Comedy - Mark Christopher, Mike Rivera, Vien ‘ComicDoc’ Phommachanh

Mar 17: Luck Be a Lady - Whitney Grace

Apr 4: Venturino’s Comedy Club - Bear Webb, Angela Nacca, Chris Cowles, Larry Venturino at charlotte harbor event center

Feb 10 & 11: Edwards Twins

Feb 16: Paula Anka Songbook - The Times of Your Life

Feb 24: James Taylor ’Steamroller’ Tribute Show

Mar 4: This Magic Moment - Bay Kings Band at charlotte PeForMing arts center

Mar 18: Splish Splash - Music of Bobby Darin

Choral Artistry

concerts at

New Hope Presbyterian Church 10051 Plantation Rd. • Ft Myers First Presbyterian Church 9751 Bonita Beach Rd. SE Bonita Springs choralartistry.org

Choral Artistry is committed to excellence in performance and our support of the choral arts by uniting people and communities through choral music. We produce diverse productions, choral festivals and premiers for residents and visitors to SWFL.

schedule

Feb 1 & 2: Sing Out! Vienna, My City of Dreams - festival choir workshop (new hoPe Presbyterian church, Ft Myers) register free Feb 2: Sing Out! Vienna, My City of Dreams -concert (new hoPe Presbyterian church, Ft Myers) free

Apr 13: Brahms Ein Duetsches Requiemwith FGCU Bower School of Music Choirs & Symphony Orchestra (First Presbyterian church, bonita sPrings)

The Circus Arts Conservatory

PerForMances at

Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Sarasota

Sailor Circus Arena 2075 Bahia Vista St. • Sarasota 941-355-9805

circusarts.org

Since 1997, The Circus Arts Conservatory has honored our circus legacy by sharing the entertainment, education, and enrichment of the circus arts through the nationally-renowned youth training program, Sailor Circus Academy; innovative arts-integrated education programs for area students; effective, yearround community outreach programs; and world-class circus performances.

schedule

Nov 22-Jan 5: Wonderland - Illuminate -with Nik Wallenda (big toP in the east district at utc, 195 university town center dr., sarasota)

Nov 23: Sailor Circus Academy Fall Show - Gold Troupe Zodiac (Sailor Circus Arena)

Dec 26-29: Sailor Circus Academy Red Troupe Winter Show - 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee (sailor circus arena)

Jan 12: Windjammers Concert Band - with Sailor Circus Academy (sailor circus) free

Feb 15-Mar 9: Circus Sarasota (big toP)

Feb 21 & 22: Cirque des Voix (big toP)

Apr 5: Sailor Circus Academy Gold Troupe Spring Show - Juke Box Hero (sailor circus arena)

Apr 25-27: Sailor Circus Academy Red Troupe Spring Show - South of the Border (sailor circus arena)

Cultural Park Theatre Company

528 Cultural Park Blvd. • Cape Coral 239-772-5862

culturalparktheatre.org

Cultural Park Theatre, located in Cape Coral, Florida, is a community-based venue offering diverse live performances, including plays, musicals, and concerts. With a rich history, it serves as a creative hub for local talent, providing educational programs, summer camps, and year-round entertainment for all ages.

schedule

Oct 18-27: Carrie - the Musical

Nov 15-24: Sealed for Freshness

Dec 11-15: Rudolph Jr

Dec 19: 6th Annual Michael D’Amore

Christmas Show

Jan 24-Feb 2: Grandma’s Murder Club

Feb 21-Mar 2: Something Rotten

Mar 21-30: Southern Fried Funeral

May 23-Jun 1: When the Bullfrog Sings Opera

ensembleNEWSRQ enSRQ

PerForMances at First Congregational Church

1031 S. Euclid Ave. • Sarasota

Sarasota Opera House

61 N. Pineapple St. • Sarasota box oFFice: 772-834-7173

ensrq.org

Founded in 2015 by violinist Samantha

Bennett and percussionist George Nickson, ensembleNEWSRQ (enSRQ) is a versatile chamber music ensemble in Sarasota, dedicated to playing and advocating for the music of contemporary composers. Through thoughtfully curated and innovative programs, enSRQ demonstrates how contemporary music is a reflection of our world and cultural experience.

schedule

Nov 25: Schoenberg & Ives at 150 (First congregational church)

Jan 13: Visions & Miracles (First congregational church)

Feb 17: Truth & Mayhem (First congregational church)

Mar 17: Critical Moments (First congregational church)

May 12: Jagden und Formen (sarasota oPera house)

Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music & The Arts

THEATRE PROGRAM

TheatreLab • Arts Complex 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. • Fort Myers 239-745-4268

fgcu.edu/theatrelab

The Theatre Program at the Bower School of Music & the Arts offers a dynamic balance of theory and application as well as real-world training in the whole craft of theatre: performance, technology, theory, and criticism.

schedule

Nov 1-10: Letters to Sala Feb 14-23: Radium Girls

Apr 11-17: The Wolves

Nov 22: Emerging Playwrights FestivalWaterlogged

Nov 23: Emerging Playwrights FestivalSoul Magnet Beneath the Limestone

MUSIC PROGRAM

U.Tobe Recital Hall • Music Building 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. • Fort Myers 239-745-4268

fgcu.edu/concerts

The Bower School of Music seeks to prepare professionals for service in music education, music therapy, and in music performance and pedagogy, while furnishing cultural enrichment for the Southwest Florida community and beyond. Concerts on campus at U Tobe Recital Hall in the Music building (unless indicated). schedule

nista concert series

Oct 10: Jeanie Darnell & Michael Baron

Oct 27: Trio Makari

Nov 17: Jossecarlo Romo & Michael Baron

Dec 8: Maxim Lando

Jan 12: James Giles

Jan 26: Kristen Chambers & Michael Baron

Feb 2: Baron & Navarro Piano Duo

Feb 8: Raymond Jaramillo McLeod

Mar 11: Enrico Elisi

Apr 6: Piano Quintet

Free Fgcu student concerts

Oct 6: Chamber & University Choirs, Bel Canto & Cantabile (naPles united church, naPles)

Oct 17: Wind Orchestra

Oct 20: Symphony Orchestra

Oct 24: Wind Chamber Choirs

Nov 3: Jazz Ensemble

Nov 6: Percussion Ensemble

Nov 7: Wind Chamber Ensembles

Nov 14: Symphonic Band - Blue Band

Nov 19: Symphonic Band - Green Band

Nov 21: Wind Orchestra (lely high school, naPles)

Dec 3: Choirs & Symphony Orchestra -Joyful & Triumphant (Moorings Presbyterian church, naPles)

Dec 5: Piano Ensemble

Dec 6: Chamber Strings (sanibel congregational church)

Jan 18: Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Int’l Voice Competition Finals

Feb 6: Wind Orchestra

Feb 13: Symphonic Band

Feb 16: Chamber Choir (trinity-by-the-cove church, naPles)

Feb 20: Jazz Ensemble

Feb 21: Bel Canto, Cantabile & University Choir

Feb 23: Symphony Orchestra (First Presbyterian church, bonita sPrings)

Feb 26: Student Compositions Concert

Mar 13: Wind Chamber Choirs

Mar 22: Opera Workshop concert

Mar 23: Opera Workshop concert

2024-2025 Music & Theater Season Guide

2024-2025 Music & Theater Season Guide

Mar 24: Wind Orchestra (carnegie hall, nyc) not Free

Mar 27: Wind Orchestra (gulF coast high school, naPles)

Mar 29: Opera Workshop concert (tribby arts cebter, shell Pt, Ft Myers)

Apr 1: Chamber Strings (sanibel congregational church)

Apr 3: Wind Chamber Ensembles

Apr 10: Percussion Ensemble

Apr 11: Bel Canto & Cantabile

Apr 13: Chamber & University Choirs & Symphony Orchestra with Choral Artistry (First Presbyterian church, bonita sPrings) not Free

Apr 15: Symphonic Band - Green Band

Apr 17: Symphonic Band - Blue Band (aubrey rogers high school, naPles)

Apr 22: FGCU Jazz Ensemble

Apr 24: FGCU Chamber Choir (Bower chaPel, naPles)

Apr 24: Wind Orchestra

Apr 27: Piano Ensembles

Florida Repertory Theatre

2268 Bay St. • Fort Myers 239-332-4488

floridarep.org

Florida Rep’s 27th season opens with ‘Forever Plaid,’ a nostalgic, funny –and heavenly – musical revue about a 1950s’ boyband, performing September 17-October 27 in the Artstage Studio Theatre. An historical comedy about a runaway slave seeking sanctuary takes the stage October 22-November 10 in the Historic Arcade Theatre. schedule

Sep 17-Oct 27: Forever Plaid

Sep 27-29: Freaky Friday (Florida reP education conservatory)

Oct 22-Nov 10: Ben Butler

Nov 26-Dec 15: Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Dec 10-Jan 12: Fully Committed

Jan 7-26: Lucky Stiff

Jan 28-Mar 2: Bloomsday

Feb 11-Mar 2: Boca

Mar 18-Apr 13: Shout! The Mod Musical

Apr 15-May 18: Venus in Fur

May TBD: Hairspray (educational conservatory)

Florida Rep Education Conservatory select Matinees

Oct 29-May 27: The Velveteen Rabbit

Oct 31-May 22: Dear Albert Einstein

Apr 10 & May 20: William Shakespeare’s Hamlet coMedy zone

Dec 6, 13, 20

Jan 17, 24

Feb 21, 28

Apr 4, 11, 18, 25

Florida SouthWestern State College Arts@FSW

8099 College Pkwy.

Building L • Room 119B Fort Myers 239-489-9300 fsw.edu

Experience the magic of live theatre at Florida SouthWestern State College. Talented students and faculty bring captivating stories to life with stunning performances, innovative sets, and unforgettable characters. Don’t miss your chance to see the next generation of stars. Get your tickets today and immerse yourself in the world of intimate, live theatre in the 80 seat black box theatre. Enjoy a variety of free concerts performed by FSW students and community members — no tickets required.

schedule

BLACK BOX THEATRE

Oct 31-Nov 2 & Nov 7-9: Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night Apr 3-5 & 10-12: Spring Production TBA

CONCERTS

(bb Mann PerForMing arts hall) free

Nov 5: FSW Chamber Concerts & College Choir

Nov 8: FSW Jazz Ensemble Concert

Nov 19: FSW Concert Band & Symphony Orchestra

Nov 26: FSW Rock Ensemble

Apr 8: FSW performance TBD

Apr 22: FSW performance TBD

Apr 23: FSW performance TBD

Florida Studio Theatre

1241 N Palm Ave. • Sarasota 941-366-9000

floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre is a professional regional theater located in Sarasota, Florida. Florida Studio Theatre offers a diverse range of performances, including plays, cabaret, improv, and children’s theater. With five stages, Florida Studio Theatre is dedicated to presenting dynamic works that resonate with its audience and the broader community. schedule

Nov 6-Dec 29: Waitress

Dec 11-Feb 16: The Heart Sellers

Jan 22-Mar 9: The Cancellation of Lauren Fein

Mar 26-May 25: Jersey Boys winter cabaret

Oct 2-Feb 9: Off the Charts!

Nov 20-Mar 30: 59th Street Bridge

Feb 12-Jun 22: Divas - Time After Time children’s theatre

thru October 27: Junie B Jones - the Musical

Nov 30-Dec 24: Deck the Halls

Jan 4-Feb 2: Aesop’s Fables

Mar 15-Apr 13: The Flying Penguin & Other Winning Plays

Fort Myers Theatre

16120 San Carlos Blvd. • #5 Fort Myers

239-323-6570

ftmyerstheatre.com

Live Community Theatre For All Ages, Musical Theatre, Plays, Comedy Nights, Concerts and more.

schedule PLAYS

Oct 3-20: The Wizard of Oz

Dec 12-29: Annie

Jan 8-12: Old Ringers

Feb 27-Mar 9: Gypsy - a Musical Fable

Mar 13-23: Guys & Dolls

Apr 4-13: Mousetrap

May 22-Jun 3: Margaritaville

Jul 12-20: The Little Mermaid

COMEDY & CONCERTS

Oct 13: Jack Willhite - Rock & Roll Comedy Show

Nov 30, Larry Venterino’s One Man Show

Dec 7: Bob Lauver’s Comedy Hypnosis Show

Jan 4 & 5: Detroit Doors

Jan 18: Dennis Regan

Jan 25: Peter Fogel

Feb 15: Comedy Night

Mar 1: Comedy Night

Mar 29: Comedy Night

Apr 26: Comedy Night

May 17: Comedy Night

Jun 7: Comedy Night

Jun 28: Comedy Night

Jul 26: Comedy Night

Grand Piano Series

concerts at

Artis—Naples

5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. • Naples 469-333-3231

box oFFice: 239-597-1900 grandpianoseries.org

Grand Piano Series presents worldrenowned artists and rising stars at Artis— Naples. With artists described as “...a whole roster of A stars...” (naPles daily news), and concerts called “...consistently exceptional level performances,” (late Myra Janco daniels, Founder oF naPles PhilharMonic).

schedule

Nov 6: The Art of Transcription (Polina Osetinskaya)

Dec 4: Sense and Sensibility (Sterling Elliott & Janice Carissa)

Jan 23 & 24: Musical Trinity (Trio Bohémo)

Feb 13: Golden Virtuosity (Anna Geniushene)

Mar 6: All About Dvorák (Pavel Haas Quartet & Milana Strezeva)

Mar 26 & 27: Angels & Demons (Andrew von Oeyen)

May 1: The Chopiniana (Eric Lu)

Gulf Coast Symphony

concerts at

B.B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

13350 FSW Pkwy. • Fort Myers

Music & Arts

Community Center

13411 Shire Lane • Fort Myers

239-277-1700

gulfcoastsymphony.org

Founded in late 1995 by its current music director and CEO, Dr. Andrew Kurtz, the Gulf Coast Symphony is the second-largest non-profit performing arts organization in Lee county. The Gulf Coast Symphony challenges convention with unique and innovative collaborations across multiple genres and disciplines. It presents over 100 programs of classical music, jazz, world music, dance, opera, film and musical theater, active community engagement, and a commitment to social change through arts education. schedule

Gulf Coast Symphony

bb Mann PerForMing arts hall

Oct 27: Symphonic Spooktacular - Heroes & Villains

Nov 10: American Salute

Dec 8: Deck the Hall (with Ft Myers Mastersingers)

Jan 19: Symphonic Rewind - Tribute to ‘90s Music

Feb 2: The Doo Wop Project - At the Hop

Feb 4: Women of Rock (with LaKisha Jones & Chloe Lowery)

Feb 16: Trinity - Classically Irish

Mar 23: West Side Story

Mar 30: 3oth Anniversary Concert Celebration

Apr 13: Iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber & Friends

2024-2025 Music & Theater Season Guide

Music & Arts Community Center

Oct 18: The Music of Star Wars (gulF coast syMPhony)

Oct 25: The Music of Harry Potter (gulF coast syMPhony)

Nov 1: Tribute to Adele (listeso string Quartet)

Nov 1: Tribute to Queen (listeso string Quartet)

Nov 14: Jazz at the MACC - Music of Mingus, McBride & Robertson

Nov 16: Beethoven Symphony No 8 (gulF coast syMPhony)

Nov 17: Beethoven Symphony No 8 (gulF coast syMPhony)

Dec 12: Jazz at the MACC - Charlie Brown & the Nutcracker Suite (gulF coast syMPhony)

Dec 14: Brahms’ Piano Concerto No 1 (gulF coast syMPhony)

Dec 15: Brahms’ Piano Concerto No 1 (gulF coast syMPhony)

Dec 21: The Nutcracker (gulF coast syMPhony & gulFshore ballet)

Jan 11: A Soldier’s Tale & Dead Elvis (gulF coast syMPhony)

Jan 12: A Soldier’s Tale & Dead Elvis (gulF coast syMPhony)

Jan 16: Jazz at the MACC - Zach Bartholomew Balancing Act with Benny Bennack

Jan 29-Feb 8: Camelot

Feb 20: Jazz at the MACC: Jazz TrioMonk, Davis, Hancock & more

Feb 22: Bruckner Mss No 3 (gulF coast syMPhony & Ft Myers Mastersingers)

Feb 23: Bruckner Mss No 3 (gulF coast syMPhony & Ft Myers Mastersingers)

Feb 26-Mar 15: Murder for Two

Mar 27: Jazz at the MACC - Modern Creations, Uplifting Songs

Apr 5: Mostly Mozart (gulF coast syMPhony MeMbers)

Apr 6: Mostly Mozart (gulF coast syMPhony MeMbers)

Apr 9-25: Jerry’s Girls

May 1: Jazz at the MACC - John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme

May 3: Donizetti’s Don Pasqale (gulF coast syMPhony MeMbers)

May 3: Donizetti’s Don Pasqale (gulF coast syMPhony MeMbers)

Gulfshore Opera

headQuarters:

9911 Corkscrew Rd. • Suite 105

Estero

box oFFice: 239-529-3925

gulfshoreopera.org

Gulfshore Opera enriches the community of Southwest Florida by presenting accessible, high quality vocal music performances with classically trained artists and to foster a sense of belonging within the diverse community through a variety music based activities.

schedule

Dec 3: Holiday Taste of Opera (isles yacht club, Punta gorda)

Dec 5: Holiday Taste of Opera (the club at the strand, naPles)

Jan 28: Taste of Opera (hideaway beach club, Marco island)

Jan 29: Viennese Serenade (artis naPles, naPles)

Feb 2: Opera to Broadway Concert & Dinner (carMelo’s ristorante, Punta gorda)

Feb 4: Style & Song Luncheon (grey oaks country club, naPles)

Feb 6: Opera to Broadway (st. leo auditoriuM, bonita sPrings)

Feb 23: Dangerous Liaisons (Moorings Presbyterian church, naPles)

Feb 23: From World Stages to Our Shores –Gulfshore Opera Gala (hilton naPles, naPles)

Mar 13: Taste of Opera (naPles sailing & yacht club, naPles)

Mar 25: Rusalka (arts bonita, bonita sPrings)

Mar 27: Rusalka (norris center, naPles)

Mar 29: Rusalka (burnt store Presbyterian church, Punta gorda)

Apr 16: Taste of Opera (colony bay club, estero)

Apr 29: Lucia di Lammermoor - with Naples Philharmonic (bb Mann, Ft Myers)

May 2: Lucia di Lammermoor - with Naples Philharmonic (artis naPles, naPles)

May 15: Journey Through the Americas (st leo auditoriuM, bonita sPrings)

May 18: Journey Through the Americas (gulF theater, Punta gorda)

Gulfshore Playhouse

100 Goodlette-Frank Rd. S. Naples box oFFice: 239-261-7529 gulfshoreplayhouse.org

Gulfshore Playhouse at the new Baker Theatre and Education Center is committed to enriching the cultural landscape of the region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic standards and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people. Your new home for professional theatre. schedule

Oct 27-Nov 24: Anything Goes

Nov 10-Dec 15: Every Brilliant Thing -starring Jeffrey Binder

Nov 21-23: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (conservatory Production)

Dec 13-15: Anything Goes - Youth Edition

Jan 12-Feb 2: Dial M for Murder

Jan 26-Mar 2: The Lehman Trilogy

Feb 27-Mar 1: A Year with Frog & Toad (Conservatory Production) (children’s MuseuM oF naPles)

Feb 23-Mar 16: Noises Off

Mar 16-Apr 19: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Apr 6-May 4: Sweet Charity

Naples Big Band

2614 N. Tamiami Tr • #200 • Naples concerts at Cambier Park • 755 Park St. S Naples

Veterans Park • 901 Park Ave. Marco Island

Norris Center • 755 8th Ave. S. Naples 941-313-7532 naplesbigband.com

The Naples Big Band entertains the public with dynamic Big Band performances in styles spanning the swing era to the modern day, while also nurturing the musical development of local youths with the financial support. All concerts are free — except March 7 in the Norris Center.

schedule

Nov 11: in Cambier Park

Dec 1: in Cambier Park

Jan 5: in Veterans Park

Jan 6: in Cambier Park

Feb 2: in Cambier Park

Feb 9: in Veterans Park

Mar 3: in Cambier Park

Mar 7: in Norris Center

Mar 23: in Veterans Park

Apr 6: in Cambier Park

Naples Players 701 5th Ave. S. • Naples

the hometown theatre and cultural hub, building community through exceptional access to the power of theatre, and leading the shift in the national perception of how theatres can impact their communities.

schedule

Oct 2-20: Rumors

Oct 6-Nov 10: Almost, Maine

Nov 20-Dec 22: A Christmas Storythe Musical

Jan 15-Feb 16: The Play that Goes Wrong

Feb 5-Mar 2: Death of a Salesman

Mar 12-Apr 13: Man of La Mancha

Apr 2-27: The Half-Life of Marie Curie

May 7-25: The Hallelujah Girls readers theatre (Play readings)

Nov 9: The Making of Scrooge

Nov 24: Family Ties

Jan 26: New Play Festival

Mar 9: Close Encounters

Apr 27: Out on a Limb acadeMy oF draMatic arts Productions

Oct 26-Nov 3: Young Frankenstein

Nov 9-12: Legally Blonde, Jr

Apr 5-13: Hadestown - Teen Edition

May 16-18: Something Rotten, Jr

Opera Naples

2408 Linwood Ave. • Naples box oFFice: 239-963-9050 operanaples.org

Opera Naples is a professional opera company, presenting high-quality opera productions featuring prominent international performers and directors. The company presents Festival Under the Stars, an annual festival in downtown Naples Cambier Park. Opera Naples offers various educational programs including an Academy and international voice competition, in collaboration with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. schedule

naPles under the stars (caMbier Park, naPles)

Feb 27: Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Pavarotti’s Voices Concert

Feb 28: The Magic Flute

Mar 1: Family & Community Day

Mar 2: The Magic Flute

Mar 3: Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Celebrates Luciano’s 90th Anniversary (wang oPera center, naPles)

Mar 6: La Boheme

Mar 7: The Mikado

Mar 8: La Boheme

Mar 9: The Mikado

Mar 15: Sleeping Beauty - with Gulfshore Ballet (wang oPera center, naPles)

Jan 8: Opera Naples Guild Toasts

Jan 12: Don Pasquale (Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy)

Jan 29: Opera Naples Guild Toasts

Feb 12: Opera Naples Guild Toasts

Players Circle Theater

Players Circle Theater is an artist-driven, not-for-profit organization, committed to producing a wide variety of live theater that enriches, educates, and entertains our community. They utilize an ensemble of artists, who will form longtime professional relationships while functioning in a fiscally responsible manner, keeping ticket prices accessible to all.

schedule

Oct 22-Nov 17: Bedroom Farce

Nov 25-Dec 22: Greetings

Jan 7-Jan 26: Admissions

Feb 7-Mar 2: The Fantasticks

Mar 14-Apr 6: Flatlanders

Apr 18-May 11: The Business of Murder

Voted ‘Favorite Local Theatre’ by broadway world, The Naples Players is

Jan 18: Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition Finals (Fgcu, u tobe recital hall, Ft Myers)

2024-2025 Music & Theater Season Guide

Sanibel Music Festival

concerts at

Sanibel Congregational Church

2050 Periwinkle Way • Sanibel 239-344-7025

sanibelmusicfestival.org

Returning to Sanibel Island and celebrating its 38th season of high-quality classical music, the Sanibel Music Festival presents six concerts by internationally renowned artists. In addition, their partner, FGCU Bowers School of Music & Arts, is presenting a free choir concert for Luminary in December.

schedule

Dec 6:– FGCU Bowers choir (Free)

Mar 1: Wu Han

Mar 4: Jon Nakamatsu

Mar 8 : Horszowski Piano Trio

Mar 11: Winner of National Chopin Piano Competition

Mar 18: Opera Theater of Connecticut singing Kandor & Ebb

Mar 22: Isidore String Quartet

Sarasota Concert Association

concerts at

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 777 North Tamiami Trail • Sarasota Riverview Performing Arts Center Riverview High School • 1 Ram Way Sarasota

First Presbyterian Church 2050 Oak St • Sarasota 941-966-6161 scasarasota.org

Nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation for worldclass classical music. They offer The Great Performers Series, in its 80th season, bringing world-renowned orchestras, recitalists, and chamber groups to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Opera House, and the Riverview Performing Arts Center. Additionally, they present special events throughout each season. Music Matinees highlight the outstanding regional talent that resides in our community. Matinees are at First Presbyterian Church free of charge.

schedule

Dec 3: Chanticleer Holiday Concert (sarasota oPera house)

Jan 15: Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianist (riverview PerForMing arts center)

Jan 26: Cleveland Orchestra (van wezel PerForMing arts hall)

Feb 13: Czech National Symphony (van wezel PerForMing arts hall)

Feb 27: An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma (van wezel PerForMing arts hall)

Mar 14: Vivaldi Four Seasons (riverview PerForMing arts center)

Mar 24: National Symphony Orchestra (van wezel PerForMing arts hall)

Free Music Matinees (First Presbyterian church, sarasota)

Jan 29: Sarasota Opera Studio Artists

Feb 19: Karen Large & Heidi Louise Williams

Mar 26: Edel Munoz & Sean O’Neill

Apr 23: Synia Carroll

entertainment destination. The casino offers 1,400 slots, 41 live table games, 3 restaurants, nightlife in the Zig Zag lounge, ‘where the party never ends’ and the best in live concerts in the Seminole Center. Free Parking 24/7.

schedule

Oct 5: Latin Legends Selena & Shakira

Oct 25: Paul Rodriguez

Oct 26: Elle King

Nov 2: Thunder Down Under Nov 10: The Tenors

Nov 16: Paula Poundstone

Nov 17: Wheel of Fortune

Nov 19: 98 Degrees

Dec 6: Zarna Garg

Dec 7: The Outlaws

Jan 18: Rockabillique

Jan 22: Lee Greenwood

Jan 25: Kansas

Feb 9: The Man in Black - Johnny Cash tribute

506 S 1st St. • Immokalee 239-658-1313 casino.hardrock.com/immokalee

Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and

Feb 12: The Magic of Jen Kramer Spirit of

rehearsal address: Church of the Cross Community Christian Center 13500 Freshman Lane • Fort Myers 360-320-1161

spiritofthegulf.com

Experience the Spirit of the Gulf Chorus, a premier a cappella ensemble founded in 2001. Under the expert direction of Deanna Kastler and Karen Breidert, they boast 9 Florida State champion medals, 7 top-ten Sweet Adelines International placements, and have been named “Most Entertaining Chorus” three times. Recently, they earned a Fifth Place medal at the latest international competition for their exceptional barbershop harmony.

schedule

Oct 22: Friends & Family Night (church oF the cross) free

Dec 8: Holiday Show (s Ft Myers hs, Ft Myers)

Mar 8: Spring Show (venue tbd)

TheatreZone

G & L Theater

Community School of Naples campus 13275 Livingston Road, Naples box oFFice: 888-966-3353

Theatre.Zone

TheatreZone, Naples’ premier professional musical theatre, is celebrating its 20th season in 2025. Musical productions are staged in the charming 250-seat G&L Theatre conveniently located in midtown Naples. TheatreZone’s contract with the Actors’ Equity Association ensures access to the best actors, singers, dancers, musicians, and stage management professionals from throughout the country.

schedule

Dec 20-22: Home for the Holidays

Jan 9-19: Once

Feb 6-16: The Rink

Mar 6-16: Jersey Boys

Jun 5-15: Ghost

Tribby Arts Center

Shell Point 17281 On Par Blvd. • Fort Myers 239-415-5667

tribbyartscenter.com

The Tribby Arts Center proudly presents its most exhilarating season yet, showcasing

world-class art exhibitions and musical talent across pop, classical, bluegrass, country, folk, big band, swing, and jazz. As the exclusive host for National Geographic Live presentations in Southwest Florida, the Tribby is a vibrant venue for extraordinary cultural experiences.

schedule

Oct 10: Heather Pierson Duo

Oct 24: Muriel Ansderson

Oct 29: Daniel Maltz

Nov 1-2: Rumours ATL - Fleetwood Mac Tribute

Nov 7: Southwest Florida Symphony with Priscila Navarro

Dec 9: Southwest Florida Symphony Holiday Pops

Dec 12: Lindsay Garritson - selections from The Nutcracker

Dec 17: Zach Bartholomew Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

Jan 10-11: Dancing Dream - ABBA Tribute

Jan 14: Solomon Eichner, pianist

Jan 23: Judy Carmichael Trio

Jan 27: John Pizzarelli Trio

Feb 7: Dover Quartet

Feb 13: National Geographic Live - Cave of Bones

Feb 14: Ranky Tanky

Feb 18: Ann Hampton Callaway with Branden & James

Feb 20: The Brothers Doobie

Feb 27-28: The Jersey Tenors

Mar 6-7: One Night in Memphis

Mar 10-11: Frontiers - A Tribute to Journey

Mar 18: Riders in the Sky

Mar 25: National Geographic LiveUntangling the Mind

Apr 10: Timothy Chooi

Urbanite Theatre

1487 2nd St. • Sarasota box oFFice: 941-321-1397

urbanitetheatre.com

Urbanite Theatre is a dynamic and innovative theater company in Sarasota, known for its bold, thought-provoking

productions of contemporary plays. With an intimate black-box setting, Urbanite delivers powerful storytelling and immersive experiences, championing new works and diverse voices that challenge and inspire audiences.

schedule

Oct 18-Dec 1: Jennifer, Who Is Leaving

Jan 3-Feb 16: Spaceman

Mar 21-Apr 27: No One is Forgotten

May 30-Jun 30: From 145th to 98th Street

The Venice Symphony

Venice Performing Arts Center Campus of Venice High School 1 Indian Ave. • Building 5 • Venice box oFFice: 941-207-8822 thevenicesymphony.org

Founded in 1974, The Venice Symphony is a not-for-profit professional orchestra deeply rooted in its community, offering a variety of concerts from October through May, special events and long-standing music education programs for all ages throughout the year.

schedule

Oct 11 & 12: A Symphonic Spooktacular

Nov 15 & 16: Instrumental Influencers

Dec 20-22: Home for the Holidays

Jan 10 & 11: Sports Orchestrated

Jan 31 & Feb 1: A Salute to the Pops!

Feb 21 & 22: Hollywood in Venice

Mar 14 & 15: Crazy for Gershwin

Mar 22: The Rat Pack is Back

Apr 25 & 26: Cosmic Worlds

Oct

TUESDAY 1

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

WEDNESDAY 2

•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.

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

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

THURSDAY 3

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

•Lecture: Dr Steve Noll -

Democracy in America. Cape Coral Library, 921 SW 39th Ter, Cape Coral. 2p. Free. 479-4636.

•Manhattan Short Film Festival: Short films screening. Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30p. 394-4221.

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

•Myke Herlihy: Snappers Comedy

Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

FRIDAY 4

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

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

•Art Reception: BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. 5-7p. Free. 395-0900.

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30-9p. Free. 590-8645.

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

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

•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.

•Beach & Estuary Walk: Guided 1 hr walk. Lovers Key State Park Discovery Center, 8700 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. Register. 463-4588.

•Carmen Lynch: Comedy. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•David Spade: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 481-4849.

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

•Nostaljah Solo: Reggae music. Coastal Dayz Brewery, 2161 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers. 7-11p. Free.204-9665,

Bluesman Jesse Dayton is playing October 5 at Arts Bonita’s Performing Arts Center in Bonita Springs.

SATURDAY 5

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

•Arts for ACT Gala & Fine Art Auction: Fundraiser reception, auction, music, dancing. Caloosa Sound Event Center, 2101 Edwards Dr, Ft Myers. 5-10p. rsvp. 9392553.

•Clyde Butcher Studio & Darkroom Tour: Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio, 237 Warfield Ave S, Venice. 9:30a-4p. Register. 941-486-0811.

•Early Times & The High Rollers: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Guided Forest Bathing: Rookery Bay National Research Reserve, Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 530-5972.

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

•Julie Nolen: Americana concert, Wiley Gaby opens. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-894-6469.

•Latin Legends - Serena & Shakira: Tribute concert. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.

•Luke Bulla: Americana concert, Steve Waterbury opens. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Manhattan Short Film Festival: Short films screening. Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 2p. 394-4221.

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

•Naples Philharmonic: The Conductor’s Spellbook familyfriendly concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 10a. 597-1900.

•Naples Philharmonic: The Conductor’s Spellbook sensoryfriendly concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 11:30a. 597-1900.

•Quilt Show: SWFL Quilters Guild outdoor show. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-2p. 334-7419.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Gershwin’s American Dream. Sarasota Opera House. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

•The Prince Experience: Gabriel Sanchez tribute cxoncert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 481-4849.

•Wine & Wonder: Wine sampling, live music. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 6-8p. 992-2591.

SUNDAY 6

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

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

•FGCU Chamber & University Choirs, Bel Canto & Cantabile: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 3p. Free. 7454268.

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

•Luke Bulla: Americana concert. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-894-6469.

•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.

•The Rowdy Bards: Irish pub music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

MONDAY 7

•Ancient Forest Tour: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9a. Register. 348-9151.

•Movie Mondays: Ft Myers Film Festival screenings. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.

TUESDAY 8

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

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

•Early Birding Walk: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•Eleanor Roosevelt: Sheryl Faye one-woman show. Cape Coral Library, 921 SW 39th Ter, Cape Coral. 2p. Free. 479-4636.

•Lecture: Cemeteries of Collier County. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

•Murder on the Sea of Love: GibsonHouse Mystery Performers, Interactive mystery. cruise. Naples Princess, 550 Port O Call Way, Naples. Boarding 5p. 920-9463.

•Susan B Anthony: Sheryl Faye one-woman show. Cape Coral Library, 921 SW 39th Ter, Cape Coral. 11a. Free. 479-4636.

WEDNESDAY 9

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

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

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

•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Tice Fire Station, 9351 Workmen Way, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 218-1354.

THURSDAY 10

•Art Reception: Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-3652032.

•Art Reception: Wine & cheese. Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Blvd, Cape Coral. 5-6:30p. Free. 772-5657.

•Heather Pierson Duo: Americana concert. Tribby Arts Center, Shell

What Goes On

OCTOBER NOVEMBER

What Goes On OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

Point, 13921 Shell Pt Plaza, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Jeanie Darnell & Michael Baron: Soprano & piano concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 3p. 745-4268.

•Mercyme: Concert. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Rebecca Richardson & Dan Heck: Jazz concert. Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30p. 642-7270.

•Sudameric Latin Groove: Luis Miguel tribute concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

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

•The Magic of Eric Eaton: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Evening on Fifth: Live music, dancing, art demos & exhibits, dining, shopping along 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30-9:30p. Free. 6928436.

FRIDAY 11

•A Symphonic Spooktacular:  Venice Symphony. Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, bldg. 5, Venice. 7:30p. 941-218-0658.

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

•Boo-tanical Weekend: Halloween activities, games, animals. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 5-8p. 992-2591.

•Scarecrows in the Park: Opening night - open thru Oct 31. Scarecrow display, pumpkin patch, hayrides, Halloween Express train ride, games, etc. Lakes Park Fall Festival. Children’s Garden, Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr, 5-6p. Ft Myers. 533-7575.

•Seashell Walk: Guided walk. Lovers Key State Park Discovery Center, 8700 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10a. Register. 463-4588.

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

•The Magic of Eric Eaton: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 479-5233.

SATURDAY 12

•A Symphonic Spooktacular:  Venice Symphony. Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, bldg. 5, Venice. 3:30p. 941-218-0658.

•Art Reception: Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Academy, 927 Lime Ave, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-799-6634.

•Billy The Kid & The Regulators: Blues band. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Boo-tanical Weekend: Halloween activities, games, animals. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 11a-2p. 992-2591.

•Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band: Concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 4814849.

•Chris O’Leary: Blues concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita

Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Fort Myers Roller Derby Hallowbout: Female roller derby. Ft Myers Skatium, 2250 Bwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 482-7789.

•Hot Buttered Nuggets: Live music. Eight-Foot Brewing, 4417 SE 16th Pl, #11, Cape Coral. 5-5p. Free. 337-7646.

•Lecture: Estero Historical Society

- Florida Heritage Project. Country Creek Country Club, 21180 Country Club Dr, Estero. 9:30a. Free. 272-1911.

•Murder n Vegas: GibsonHouse Mystery iPerformers, Interactive mystery. Lake Kennedy Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd Cape Coral. 6:30p. 867-6098.

•Music in the Garden: Wilder Sons. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 2-4p. 6437275.

•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. 941-799-6634.

•Orchid Sale & Symposium: Free plant sale, workshops Pre-register. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 9a-4p. 334-7419.

•Rocky Horror Picture Show:  Outdoor film screening. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 939-2787.

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

•The Magic of Eric Eaton: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6 & 9p. 479-5233.

SUNDAY

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

•Boo-tanical Weekend: Halloween activities, games, animals. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 11a-2p. 992-2591.

•Dave Matthews Tribute Band: Live music. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 985-9839.

•Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers: Luminaria concert.

St Hillary Church, 5001 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 3p. 288-2535.

•Jack Willhite Rock & Roll Comedy Show: Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 6p. 323-6570.

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

•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.

•Orchid Sale & Symposium: Free plant sale, workshops Pre-register. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Free plant sale, workshops Preregister. 9a-4p. 334-7419.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Mendelssohn & Maslanka. Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Tr. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 5:30p. 941-953-3434.

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

MONDAY 14

•Guided Forest Bathing: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 9:30p. Register. 275-3435.

TUESDAY 15

•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. 6p. Register. 348-9151.

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

•Onslow & Farrene: Naples Philharmonic members chamber music concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 3p. 597-1900.

WEDNESDAY 16

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-639-8810.

•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.

•Film Screening & Discussion: Independent film - This World is Not My Own, filmmaker Q&A. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6p. 939-2787.

•John Allred: All That Jazz concert w Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

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

•Pat Largo: Snappers Comedy Club,

8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Reel Intrigue. Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Tr. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

THURSDAY 17

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

•Brandon Robertson Quartet: Jazz music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Brass Transit: Musical legacy of Chicago concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Council of Longtime Friends: Storytelling. Naples Historical Society Historic Palm Cottage, 137 12th Ave S, Naples. 4p. Free. 261-8164.

•Exhibition Reception: Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. 4:306p. Free. 642-1440.

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

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

•Lecture: Serpents in the Sawgrass. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•Moonlight on the Boardwalk: See full moon, second super moon of 2023 & Perseid meteor shower.

Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 6:30p. Register. 348-9151.

•Music Under the Stars: Bill Metts, Roy Schneider, Brian Smalley concert. Calusa Nature Center Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 7p. 275-3435.

•Reggae Sunset Jam: Live music. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Free. 333-1933.

•Sanibel Captiva Art League

Rebecca Richardson performs with Dan Heck, October 10 at the Marco Island Center for the Arts.

Meeting: Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 11a-1p. Free. 322-8593.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Reel Intrigue. Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Tr. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

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

FRIDAY

•Art from the Attic: Art sale. Tower Gallery, 751 Tarpon Bay Rd. 10a4p. Free. 579-0659.

•Baroquetoberfest: Key Chorale concert. Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941552-8768.

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

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

•Rave & Rock Circus: Concert & Art. Davis Art Center back parking lot, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Reel Intrigue - music from films. Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Tr. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 5:30p. 941-953-3434.

•The Music of Star Wars: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30 & 9p. 277-1700.

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

SATURDAY

•Art from the Attic: Art sale. Tower Gallery, 751 Tarpon Bay Rd. 10a4p. Free. 579-0659.

•Art in the Wild Day: Art demos & workshops, meet duck stamp artists, nature journal hike, crafts, nature journal hike, live music, yoga, puppet show, Duck Stamp art exhibition. Free, Pre-register. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 9a-4p. Free. 472-1100.

•Artist Talk: Becky Suss. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 12p. 597-1900.

•Backyard Bluesfest: Selwyn Birchwood, Little Mike & The Tornadoes. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 2-7p. 693-7111.

•Baroquetoberfest: Key Chorale concert. Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941552-8768.

•Butterfly Count: North American Butterfly Assoc annual survey. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9a-12:30p. 348-9151.

•Classic Car Fest: Live music, food trucks, kids activities, museum tours. Cape Coral Museum of History fundraiser. Cultural Park, behind Cape Coral Historical Museum, 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 10a-2p. Free. 772-7037.

•Florida Horror-Fest: Pop culture convention. Celebrities, live entertainment, demos, vendors, contests, panels, kids’ activities, food. Embassy Suites Hotel, 10450

What Goes On OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

Corkscrew Commons Dr, estero. 10a-5p. 236-8189.

•Glen Raymond: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 481-4849.

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

•Halloween Spooktacular: Games, activities, trick-or-treating. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. Timed entries 10a-6p. 514-0084.

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

•Jay Wheeler: Concert. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 8p. 948-7825.

•Meet the Artist: Ran Adler. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 11a-1p.  643-7275.

•One Funny Lisa Marie: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 3p. 389-6901.

•Pioneer Pumpkin Palooza: Pumpkin picking. Immokalee Pioneer Museum, 1215 Roberts Ave, Immokalee. 10a-4p. Free. 252-2611.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Reel Intrigue - music from films. Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Tr. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

•Swamp Celebration: Exhibit, guided swamp walk, meet Clyde Butcher. Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery, 52388 Tamiami Tr, MM 54, Ochopee. 10a-5p. Free, fee for Swamp Walks. Register.695-2428.

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

SUNDAY 20

•Art from the Attic: Art sale. Tower Gallery, 751 Tarpon Bay Rd. 10a4p. Free. 579-0659.

•Art Sale: Hirdie Girdie Gallery, 2490 Library Way, Sanibel. 10a-4p. Free. 395-0027.

•Baroquetoberfest: Key Chorale concert. Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941552-8768.

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

•FGCU Symphony Orchestra: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 3p. Free. 7454268.

•Florida Philharmonic: Changing Seasons concert. Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, 11330 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda. 3:30p. 941-529-6094.

•Onslow & Farrene: Naples Philharmonic members chamber music concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 3p. 597-1900.

•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.

•Sammy Figueroa: Americana concert. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-8946469.

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

MONDAY 21

•Art Sale: Hirdie Girdie Gallery, 2490 Library Way, Sanibel. 10a-4p. Free. 395-0027.

•Ricky Glore & Glen Tickle: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Sunset Stroll: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 6p. Register. 348-9151.

•Untold Stories- Sanibel Island’s Store: WGCU documentary film screening. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. 6p. 395-0900.

TUESDAY 22

•Art Sale: Hirdie Girdie Gallery, 2490 Library Way, Sanibel. 11a-4p. Free. 395-0027.

•Barenaked Ladies: Concert, Toad the Wet Sprocket opens. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

•Early Birding Walk: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•Ricky Glore & Glen Tickle: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Spirit of the Gulf Chorus: Friends & Family Night concert. Church of the Cross, Fort Myers. 7:30p. 360-320-1161.

•Storytelling: Nestor GomezStories of Growing Up. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7199.

WEDNESDAY 23

•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.

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

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

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

•Storytelling: Nestor GomezStories of Immigration. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7199.

THURSDAY 24

•Brandon Robertson Quartet: Jazz music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9p. Free. 603-6535.

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

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

•FGCU Wind Chamber Choirs:

Anderson performs October 24 at the

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

•Grass is Dead: Grateful Dead tribute band. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-894-6469.

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

•Muriel Anderson: Folk music concert. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival Opening Night Film & Party: Arts-Naples, Hayes Hall, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. Red carpet arrival 6p, film 7p, afterparty 9p. 775-3456.

•Pumpkins of Devil’s Garden: Family-friendly exhibition opening reception, movie night. Seminole Tribe of Florida. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, 34725 W Boundary Rd, Clewiston. 9a-5p, movie 5p. 863-902-1113.

•Rock Star Seance: SWFL

Symphony concert tribute to Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley, & more. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 418-1500.

•Wicked Walk: Haunted interactive theatrical experience, art installations music, dance, etc. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Tours 6-9p. 333-1933.

•Zach Bartholomew: Wayne Shorter’s music w Mark Small. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY 25

•60’s Rock ’n’ Roll Revival: Tribute concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

•Florida Everblades vs Atlanta Gladiators: Pre-season minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.

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

•Naples Int’l Film Festival: Film screenings, lectures, panels. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl, Naples. Films 10:30a8p. 775-3456.

•Paul Rodriguez: Comedian. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800-218-0007.

•Renesito: Americana concert. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-894-6469.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Star Wars

- The Empire Strikes Back. Van Wezel Hall, 777 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

•Screenings Under the Stars: Naples Int’l Film Festival. Artis— Naples’s Norris Garden, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. Free. 775-3456.

•The Music of Harry Potter: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30 & 9p. 277-1700.

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

•Wicked Walk: Haunted interactive theatrical experience, art installations music, dance, etc. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Gallery 5-6p, tours 6:30-8p. 333-1933.

SATURDAY 26

•Elle King: Rock concert. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.

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

•Fall Fest: Music, kids activities & games, food. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 1-4p. Free. 252-4386.

•Fall Festival: Live music, educational activities, games, crafts, face painting, Banyan Tree climb. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 9a-4p. 334-7419.

•Family Art Day: Mixed-media painting project. Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery, 901-B Apricot Ave, Sarasota. 9:30a-12p. Free. 941-799-6634.

•Florida Everblades vs Atlanta

Gladiators: Minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

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

•Jon Shain: Americana concert, Chuck Williams opens. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival: Film screenings, lectures, panels. Alamo

Drafthouse Cinemas, Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl, Naples. Films10:30a-8p. 775-3456.

•Naples Jazzmasters: Concert. River Park Community Center, 301 11th St N, Naples. 2-4p. Free. 612-327-3835.

•Nikki Glaser: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7 & 9:30p. 481-4849.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back. Van Wezel Hall, 777 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

•Screenings Under the Stars: Naples Int’l Film Festival. Arts— Naples’s Norris Garden, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. Free. 775-3456.

•Snakes in the Museum: Halloween Trunk or Treat. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•The Timber Jamboree: Live music, chainsaw carving competition, axe throwing, exhibits, games, vendors. Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Garden, 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. 9a-4p. 941-621-8299.

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

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

SUNDAY 27

•Morgan Brake & Duck Wallow Lane: Bluegrass concert. Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 3p. 939-2787.

•Naples Dixieland Jazz Band: Free outdoor concert. Cambier Park, 6th Ave S & 8th St S, Naples. 2-4p. Free. 612-327-3835.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival Closing Awards Ceremony, Film, Concert & Wrap Party: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. Awards in Daniels Pavilion 5:30, “Batman’ screening w Naples Phil 7:30p, party in Daniels Pavilion 9:30p. 597-1900.

•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.

•Symphony Spooktacular - Heroes & Villians: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 1p. 277-1700. •Trio Makari: Classical music concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 3p. 745-4268.

•We Ain’t Done - Wild n Yet Comedy: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

MONDAY 28

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

•National Ballet of Ukraine: w Ukrainian Shumka Folk Dancers. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

TUESDAY 29

•Daniel Maltz: Classical music concert. Tribby Arts Center at

Muriel

Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point in Fort Myers.

What Goes On OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 415-5667.

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

•Lecture: Cultural Heritage Conservation. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 745-4268.

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

WEDNESDAY 30

•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.

•Halloween Comedy Party Show: Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Halloween Ghost Train & Murder Mystery: Dinner, show & costume contest. Murder Mystery Dinner Train Theater, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 275-8487.

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

•Lecture: Lessons from Eden - The Conservation of Tullio Lombardi’s Sculpture of Adam. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 745-4268.

•Storytelling: Tamiami Tale Tellers. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7199.

THURSDAY 31

•Don McMillan: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 5:30p. 389-6901.

•Halloween Ghost Train & Murder Mystery: Dinner, show & costume contest. Murder Mystery Dinner Train Theater, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 275-8487.

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

•Lynne Koplitz: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7:30p. 389-6901.

Nov

FRIDAY 1

•A Shining Star is Born: Concert. Charlotte Players, Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. 7:30p. 941-255-1022.

•Abba Mania Canada: ABBA tribute band. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 730p. 495-8989.

•Accelerate Creative Conference: Discussions, workshops, presentations, networking, etc; visual arts, music, filmmaking,

branding, storytelling, etc. FGCU

Cohen Student Center, 110910 FGCU Blvd N, Ft Myers. 10a-4p. Register. 234-2745.

•American Indigenous Arts Celebration: Arts, crafts, music & dance performances, wildlife presentations, kids’ activities, food. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 34725 W Boundary Rd, Clewiston. 10a-5p. 863-9021113.

•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. 5:30-9p. Free. 590-8645.

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

•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 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.

•Dia de Los Muertos: Arts &crafts sale Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30-9p. Free. 590-8645.

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

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

•Letters to Sala: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 590-7268.

•Live Band: Brooks & Dunn – Garth Brooks tribute concert. The Cove, Paradise Coast Sports Complex outdoor bar. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 5-8p. Free. 252-4386

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

•Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: Pictures with Alexander. Classical music. Artis-

Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Rumours: Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 4 & 7p. 415-5667.

•Tribute to Adele: Listeso String Quartet concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 6p. 277-1700.

•Tribute to Queen: Listeso String Quartet concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 8:30p. 277-1700.

SATURDAY 2

•Accelerate Creative Conference: Discussions, workshops, presentations, networking, etc; visual arts, music, filmmaking, branding, storytelling, etc. FGCU Cohen Student Center, 110910 FGCU Blvd N, Ft Myers. 10a-4p. Register. 234-2745.

•American Indigenous Arts Celebration: Arts, crafts, music & dance performances, wildlife presentations, kids activities, food. Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 34725 W Boundary Rd, Clewiston. 10a-5p. 863-9021113.

•Backyard Bluesfest: Albert Cstigia, The Lucky Losers, Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 2-7p. 693-7111.

•Compton & Newberry: Bluegrass concert. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-8946469.

•Dia de los Muertos Celebration: Live music, dance performances, special displays, arts & crafts, food. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 10a7p. 643-7275.

•Free Community Day: Music & art activities for kids & adults. Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 12-4p. Free. 597-1900.

•Guided Forest Bathing: Rookery

Bay National Research Reserve, Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd, Naples. 9:30a. Register. 530-5972.

•Jefferson Ross: Americana concert, Matt Hannam opens. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

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

•Letters to Sala: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers.

7:30p. 590-7268.

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

•Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: Pictures with Alexander. Classical music. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Rumours: Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 4 & 7p. 415-5667.

•Sean Chambers: Blues band. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

SUNDAY

3

•Bonita Springs Concert Band: Veterans Day tribute. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs. Bring lawn chair or blanket. 2-3:30p. Free. 405-3320.

•Dia de los Muertos Celebration: Live music, dance performances, special displays, arts & crafts, food. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 10a4p. 643-7275.

•FGCU Jazz Ensemble: Concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 3p. Free. 745-4268.

•Larry Venterino’s One Man Show: Comedy. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 6p. 323-6570.

•Letters to Sala: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 2p. 590-7268.

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

•Mariachi Herencia de Mexico: Mariachi concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

•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.

•Retro Revival: Benefit concert & dinner. Kale bay, 13910 Old Coast Rd, Naples. 5p. rsvp. 643-4673.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Schubert Octet. Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N Tamiami Tr. 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 4p. 941-953-3434.

•The Rowdy Bards: Irish pub music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

MONDAY 4

•Lecture: The Business of Performance. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 745-4268.

•Movie Mondays: Ft Myers Film

Festival screenings. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.

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

TUESDAY 5

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

•Early Birding Walk: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•FSW Chamber Ensemble & College Choir: Concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 481-4849.

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

•Naples Philharmonic Pops: Celebrating Gershwin concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

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

WEDNESDAY 6

•Art Reception: North Fort Myers Art Assoc. Gulf Coast Village, 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd, Cape Coral. 4-7p. Free. 772-1333.

•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.

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

•Naples Philharmonic Pops: Celebrating Gershwin concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900. •Patrick Warburton: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30p. 389-6901.

•Polina Osetinskaya: Pianist. Grand Piano Series concert. Arts— Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 469-333-3231.

•Sunset Stroll: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 6p. Register. 348-9151.

THURSDAY 7

•Art Reception: Rookery Bay National Research Reserve, Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd, Naples. 5:30-7p. Free. 530-5977.

•Art Reception: Wine & cheese. Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Blvd, Cape Coral. 5-6:30p. Free. 772-5657.

•Brandon Robertson Quartet: Jazz music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9p. Free. 603-6535.

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

Elle King performs at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee’s Seminole Center on October 26.

What Goes On

•Free Outdoor Concert: Sheena Brook, food trucks. Jaycee Park, 4215 SE 20th Pl, Cape Coral. 5-8p. Free. 772-5657.

•Naples Philharmonic Pops: Celebrating Gershwin concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

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

•Sudamerica Latin Groove: From Bolivia to the USA - Latin music.

Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•SWFL Symphony: Concert w Priscilla Navarro. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point, 17281 On Par Blvd, Ft Myers. 4 & 7p. 415-5667.

FRIDAY 8

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

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

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

•Fleetwood Mask: Fleetwood Mac tribute band. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

•Florida Everblades vs Orlando Solar Bear: Minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.

•FSW Jazz Ensemble: Concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 481-4849.

•Halie Loren: Americana concert. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-894-6469.

•Here Come The Mummies: Rock concert. The Ranch Concert Hall

BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 481-4849.

•Fine Arts & Crafts Show: Naples Artcrafters. Cambier Park, 755 8 Ave S, Naples. 10a-4p. Free. 304-5258.

•Florida Everblades vs Orlando Solar Bears: Minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Lecture: Estero Historical Society

- Museum Schoolhouse & Society. Country Creek Country Club, 21180 Country Club Dr, Estero. 9:30a. Free. 272-1911.

•Letters to Sala: Theater. Discussion after. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 2 & 7:30. 590-7268.

•Marlow Rosario - Mambo!: Latin music. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 4958989.

•Memory Care Resource Fair: Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 11a-2p. Free. 252-8476.

•Music in the Garden: Reckless Saints. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 2-4p. 643-7275.

•Naples Jazzmasters: Concert. River Park Community Center, 301 11th St N, Naples. 2-4p. Free. 612-327-3835.

•Naples Philharmonic Pops: Celebrating Gershwin concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 2 & 7:30p. 597-1900.

& Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 985-9839.

•Lecture: Alex Katz - Theater & Dance. Baker Museum, ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 10a. 597-1900.

•Letters to Sala: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 590-7268.

•Murder at the KO Corral: GibsonHouse Mystery Performers, Interactive mystery. Elks Lodge, 3231 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 867-6098.

•Naples Philharmonic Pops: Celebrating Gershwin concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Sanibel On-Campus Writers Conference Keynoote Address: Steve Almond 6p, FGCU Water School, academic building 9, room 138, 10501 FGCU Blvd, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7421.

•Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble: Fall show. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.

•Sarasota International Chalk Festival: Art performance & exhibits, live music, kids activities. 400-500 S Pineapple Ave, Burns Square, downtown Sarasota. 10a7p. 941-488-8877.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Going Places. Van Wezel Hall, 777 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

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

SATURDAY 9

•Art Reception: BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. 5-7p. Free. 395-0900.

•Art Reception: Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Academy, 927 Lime Ave, Sarasota. 5-7p. Free. 941-799-6634.

•Blackberry Smoke: Rock concert.

•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. 941-799-6634.

•Patchouli & Terra Guitarra: World music concert. Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts amphitheater lawn, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6p. 939-2787.

•Readers Theatre: The Making of Scrooge. One-act play reading. Glass Theatre, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 7:30p. 263-7990.

•Rod Picott: Americana concert, Rebekah Pulley opens. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-894-6469.

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

•Sanibel On-Campus Writers Conference: Workshops, speakers, panels, readings, networking. FGCU Student Union, 10501 FGCU Blvd, Ft Myers. 9a-5p. Free. 590-7421.

•Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble: Fall show. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.

•Sarasota International Chalk Festival: Art performance & exhibits, live music, kids activities. 400-500 S Pineapple Ave, Burns Square, downtown Sarasota. 10a7p. 941-488-8877.

•Sarasota Orchestra: Going Places. Van Wezel Hall, 777 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-953-3434.

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

•Taste of the Islands: Food fest, entertainment, fundraiser. Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. 11a-4p. 472-3644.

•The Hobbit: Sarasota Opera. Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 5p. 941328-1300.

SUNDAY 10

•American Salute: Multimedia concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.

•Gabriel Iglesias: Comedy. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 8p. 948-7825.

•Lee County Community Band: Mariner High School, 701 Chiquita Blvd N, Cape Coral. 3p. Free. 600-9052.

•Letters to Sal: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 2p. 590-7268.

•Naples Concert Band: Free outdoor concert – Spirit of America. Cambier Park bandshell, Park St, downtown Naples. 2-4p. 270-1221.

•Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll, part 6: Rock concert. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•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.

•Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs Concert: SELAH concert, Art of the Song exhibit, fundraiser. First Presbyterian Church, 9751 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Bonita Springs. 7p. 234-2745.

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

•Sarasota International Chalk Festival: Art performance & exhibits, live music, kids activities. 400-500 S Pineapple Ave, Burns Square, downtown Sarasota. 10a7p. 941-488-8877.

•The Hobbit: Sarasota Opera. Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 12p. 941-328-1300.

•The Tenors: Concert. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.

MONDAY 11

•Guided Forest Bathing: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 9:30p. Register. 275-3435.

•Hot August Nights: Neil Diamond tribute concert. Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, bldg. 5, Venice. 7:30p. 941-488-1115.

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

•Naples Big Band: Concert Cambier Park, 755 Park St S, Naples. 7p. Free. 777-0416.

TUESDAY 12

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

•Early Birding Walk: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

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

•Lecture: What to Know About Dementia Today. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

•Rat Pack Live!: Tribute concert. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Dinner 5:30p, show 7p. 278-4422.

•Songwriters on the Plaza: Free acoustic concert w Fred Ball, JD Lashley, Gareth Rockliffe. Downtown Ft Myers Library amphitheater, S Cornog Plaza, 1651 Lee St, Ft Myers. 6-7:30p. Free. 691-4069.

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

WEDNESDAY 13

•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.

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

•Manheim Steamroller Christmas: Holdiay concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

•Rat Pack Live!: Tribute concert. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Lunch 11:30a, show 1p & dinner 5:30p, show 7p. 278-4422.

•Romero Lubambo: All That Jazz concert w Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Tice Fire Station, 9351 Workmen Way, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 218-1354.

•Storytelling: Joel Ying - Let’s get Personal. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 590-7199.

THURSDAY

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-639-8810.

•Evening on Fifth: Live music, dancing, art demos & exhibits, dining, shopping along 5th Ave S, Naples. 6:30-9:30p. Free. 6928436.

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

•Fort Myers Boat Show: Centennial Park & Yacht Basin, W 1st St & Carson St & Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Bay St & Heitman St, Ft Myers riverfront. 10a-6p. 656-7083.

•Funny Old Broads: Comedy. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Jazz at the MACC: Music of Charlie Mingus, Christian McBride & Brandon Robertson concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.

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

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

•Leslie Cartaya: Latin jazz concert. Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. 5:30p. 642-7270.

•Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: Rachmaninoff

Comedian Nikki Glaser performs October 26 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers.

Piano Concert No 3. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Rat Pack Live!: Tribute concert. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Lunch 11:30a, show 1p & dinner 5:30p, show 7p. 278-4422.

FRIDAY 15

•Air Supply: Rock concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

•Back Yard Bash: Parents & children compete in backyard games, live music, food trucks. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. 6p. 514-0084

•Fall Film Festival: Reception, The First Monday in May screening, Q&A with filmmaker, Andrew Rossi. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Reception 6p, film 7p, Q&A 8:30p. 395-0900.

•Fort Myers Boat Show: Centennial Park & Yacht Basin, W 1st St & Carson St & Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Bay St & Heitman St, Ft Myers riverfront. 10a-6p. 656-7083.

•Get Down to Science & Let’s

Boogie Gala: Cocktail party fundraiser. IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford St, Ft Myers. 7p. rsvp. 321-7420.

•Instrumental Influencers: Venice Symphony. Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, bldg. 5, Venice. 7:30p. 941-218-0658.

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

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

•Martin: Country band. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Music of Giuseppe Verdi: Sarasota. Sarasota Opera House.

61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-328-1300.

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

•Rat Pack Live!: Tribute concert.

Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Dinner 5:30p, show 7p. 278-4422.

•Shamaar Allen: Americana concert. Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 8p. 941-8946469.

•The Yacht Lobsters: Live music. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Free. 333-1933.

SATURDAY 16

•24-Hour Playwriting Project: No rehearsal, no director, sealed script, one actor. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 8p. 218-0481.

•Backyard Bluesfest: Lil’ Ed & The Imperials, Jimmy Carpenter. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 2-7p. 693-7111.

•Beethoven Symphony No 8: Gulf Coast Symphony members concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 277-1700.

•Classic Car Show: Car show, entertainment, activities, food trucks. FSW State College, 7505 Grand Lely Dr, Naples. 9a-2p. 530-5977.

•Country Jam Jamboree: Live music - Justin Moore, Austin Snell, Walker Montgomery. Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. 4-10p. Free. 252-4386.

•David G Smith: Americana concert, Ray Boone opens. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Fall Film Festival: Page One screening, The Andy Warhol

Patrick Warburton will be appearing November 4-6 at Off the Hook Comedy Club in Fort Myers

Diaries screening, Dinner & talk with filmmaker, dessert. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Page one 4p, dinner & talk 6p, Andy Warhol Diaries 7p. 3950900.

•Fort Myers Boat Show: Centennial Park & Yacht Basin, W 1st St & Carson St & Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Bay St & Heitman St, Ft Myers riverfront. 10a-6p. 656-7083.

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

•Hot Buttered Nuggets: Live music. Eight-Foot Brewing, 4417 SE 16th Pl, #11, Cape Coral. 5-5p. Free. 337-7646.

•Instrumental Influencers: Venice Symphony. Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, bldg. 5, Venice.3:30 & 7:30p. 941-218-0658.

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

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

•Music & Arts Fusion Walk:  Free outdoor concert & art fair. SE 47 Terrace btwn Vincennes Blvd & SE 15 Pl. Cape Coral. 5-9p. 772-5657.

•Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: Rachmaninoff Piano Concert No 3. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Paula Poundstone: Comedy. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800-218-0007.

•Rat Pack Live!: Tribute concert. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. Lunch 11:30a, show 1p & dinner 5:30p, show 7p. 278-4422.

•Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble: Rhapsody for Golda. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.

•Vanessa Collier: Blues band. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Whose Live Anyway: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

SUNDAY 17

•Beethoven Symphony No 8: Gulf Coast Symphony members concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 3p. 2771700.

•Florida Philharmonic: All Brassed Up concert w Florida Phil Brass Ensemble. Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, 11330 Burnt Store Rd, Punta Gorda. 3:30p. 941-529-6094.

•Fort Myers Boat Show: Centennial Park & Yacht Basin, W 1st St & Carson St & Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Bay St & Heitman St, Ft Myers riverfront. 10a-6p. 656-7083.

•From Opera to Broadway: Voices of Naples concert. First Presbyterian Church, 250 6th St S, Naples. 4p. Free. 455-2582.

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

•Jossecarlo Romo & Michael Baron: Flute & piano concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 745-4268.

•Music of Giuseppe Verdi:

Sarasota. Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 3p. 941-328-1300.

•Naples Dixieland Jazz Band: Free outdoor concert. Cambier Park, 6th Ave S & 8th St S, Naples. 2-4p. Free. 612-327-3835.

•Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet: BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 5p. 481-4849.

•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.

•Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble: Rhapsody for Golda. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-2608485.

•SWFL Concert Band: S Ft Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Rd, Ft Myers. 2p. Free. 666-5970.

•Wheel of Fortune - Live: Game show. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800-218-0007.

•Yeol Eum Son Plays Dvorak: Chamber music concert w Naples Philharmonic. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 3p. 597-1900.

MONDAY 18

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

TUESDAY 19

•98 Degrees: Concert. Seminole Casino Hotel Seminole Center, 506 S 1st St, Immokalee. 8p. 800218-0007.

•Dance Theatre of Harlem: w Naples Philharmonic. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•FGCU Symphonic Band: Green Band concert. S Ft Myers High School, 1420 Planation Rd, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 745-4268.

•FSW Concert Band & Symphony Orchestra: Concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 481-4849.

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

WEDNESDAY 20

•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.

•Dave Sayer & Valerie DiLorenzo: Concert. Venice Art Center, 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. 7p. 941485-7136.

•Florida Everblades vs Kalamazoo Wings: Minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.

•Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers: Intermezzo Choir spring concert. St Hilary’s Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers, 6p. 288-2535.

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

•Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: Classical music concert. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

•Storytelling: Student ShowcaseStorytelling as Healing. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 5p. Free. 590-7199.

THURSDAY 21

•American Sand Sculpting Championship: Exhibits, demos, contests, live music, kids activities, vendors. Beach behind Diamondhead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10a5p. 454-7500.

•Duelers: Dueling pianos concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

•FGCU Wind Orchestra: Concert. Lely High School, 1 Lely High School Blvd, Naples. 7p. Free. 745-4268.

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

•Lecture: Florida’s First People. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

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

•Reggae Sunset Jam: Live music. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Free. 333-1933.

•Sanibel Captiva Art League Meeting: Guest speaker Peter Zell. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 11a-1p. Free. 322-8593.

•Zach Bartholomew & David Fernandez: Jazz concert. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

FRIDAY

•American Sand Sculpting Championship: Exhibits, demos, contests, live music, kids activities, vendors. Beach behind Diamondhead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10a5p. 454-7500.

•Amy Grant: Christian pop concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900. •Bonita Springs Fall Comedy Festival: Bonita Springs Lions Center, 10370 Pennsylvania Ave, Bonita Springs. 8:30p. Free.561746-6615.

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

•Emerging Playwrights Festival - Waterlogged: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 590-7268.

•Florida Everblades vs Kalamazoo Wings: Minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.

•Leslie Jones: Comedy. Van Wezel Hall, 777 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 8p. 941-953-3368.

•Mark Sanders: Celebrating Broadway’s Jerry Herman cabaret. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

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

•Violin Legends - Ysaye’s Legacy: Chamber music concert. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Cocktails 6:30p, concert 7:30p. 333-1933.

What Goes On

SATURDAY 23

•American Sand Sculpting Championship: Exhibits, demos, contests, live music, kids activities, vendors. Beach behind Diamondhead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10a5p. 454-7500.

•Blue Cactus: Americana concert, Pete Benson opens. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 691-4069.

•Emerging Playwrights Festival - Soul magnet Beneath the Limestone: Theater. FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 590-7268.

•Family Art Day: Mixed-media painting project. Creative Liberties Artist Studios & Gallery, 901-B Apricot Ave, Sarasota. 9:30a-12p. Free. 941-799-6634.

•Florida Everblades vs Kalamazoo Wings: Minor league ice hockey. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Garden Festival: Live music, plant sale, food trucks. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 9a-4p. Free. 334-7419.

•Gary Hoey’s Ho Ho Ho: Blues band. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

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

•Sailor Circus: Gold Troupe Fall Show – Zodiac. Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia St, Sarasota. 941-355-9805.

•Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble: Untethered Breath. SCDE studio. 1400 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. 7p. 941-260-8485.

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

•The Day Players Band: Rock band. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

SUNDAY 24

•A Night Honoring Tina Turner w Adrienne Warren: Concert w Naples Philharmonic. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

•American Sand Sculpting Championship: Exhibits, demos, contests, live music, kids activities, vendors. Beach behind Diamondhead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10a5p. 454-7500.

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

•Brandon Robertson Quartet: Jazz music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9p. Free. 603-6535.

•Foreigner’s Journey: Tribute concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 8p. 481-4849.

•Garden Festival: Live music, plant sale, food trucks. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 9a-4p. Free. 334-7419.

•Greggie and The Jets: Elton John tribute concert. Venice Performing Arts Center, Venice High School, 1 Indian Ave, bldg. 5, Venice. 7:30p. 941-488-1115.

•Hwy 41 South: Bluegrass concert. Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 3p. 939-2787.

•Michael Blackson: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 76p. 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.

•Pictures with Santa: Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 11a-2p. 992-2591.

•Readers Theatre: Family Ties. One-act plays reading. Glass Theatre, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 7:30p. 263-7990.

MONDAY 25

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

•EnsembleNewSRQ: Schoenberg & Ives at 90. Classical music concert w Stephen Drury & Thea Lobon. First Congregational Church, 1031 S Euclid Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 772-834-7173.

TUESDAY 26

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

•Early Birding Walk: 3 hour guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•FSW Rock Ensemble: Concert.

BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 481-4849.

•Naples Philharmonic: An Evening of Overtures. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7:30p. 597-1900.

WEDNESDAY 27

•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.

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

•Encanto: Sing-along film concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

•Pine Flatwoods Walk: 2 hour guided tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9a. Register. 348-9151.

•The First Thanksgiving:  Family program. Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. 4:30-6p. Free. 642-1440.

•The Illusionists: Holiday magic show. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

THURSDAY 28

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

•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower

Shops, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 5-7p. Free. 318-8560.

FRIDAY 29

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

•Holiday Nights Opening Celebration & Tree Lighting: Holiday lights throughout grounds & gardens, holiday decorations in homes, special tours, presentations, Santa & Mrs Claus. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30-9p, tree lighting 6p. 334-7419.

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

SATURDAY 30

•Art in the Park: Outdoor art & craft fair. Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd, Naples. 10a-5p. Free. 262-6517.

•Classic Car Fest: Live music, food trucks, kids activities, museum tours. Cape Coral Museum of History fundraiser. Cultural Park, behind Cape Coral Historical Museum, 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 10a-2p. Free. 772-7037.

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

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

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

•The Nutcracker: Naples Ballet w Naples Philharmonic. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

ongoing Theater

•59th Street Bridge: Nov 20-Mar 30. Florida Studio Theatre. Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•9 to 5: Oct 25-Nov 24. Venice Theatre, Raymond Center, 40 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-4881115.

•A Christmas Carol - the Musical: Nov 22-Dec 25. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•A Christmas Story - the Musical: Nov 20-Dec 22. The Naples Players. Kizzie Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•A Few Good Men: Oct 4-13. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Island Center for the Arts, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 642-7270.

•A Nice Family Christmas: Nov 29-Dec 8. The Studio Players, Joan Jenks Auditorium, Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples. 389-9192.

•Agnes of God: thru Oct 20. Venice Theatre, Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-4881115.

•Almost, Maine: Oct 16-Nov 10. The Naples Players. Price Studio Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Another Night Before Christmas: Nov 28-Dec 25. Off Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Anything Goes: Oct 27-Nov 24. Gulfshore Playhouse. Baker Theatre & Education Center, 100 S Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples. 261-7529.

•Barefoot in the Park: Oct 10-Nov 16. Off Broadway Palm Theatre,

Brandon Robertson performs with a quintet, November 14, at Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers.

1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Beautiful - The Carol King: Nov 13-Jan 5. Asolo Repertory Theatre, Mertz Theatre, Florida State Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941-3518000.

•Beauty & The Beast: Oct 18-Nov 3. 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd, #135, Cape Coral. 323-5533.

•Bedroom Farce: Oct 22-Nov 17. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.

•Ben Butler: Oct 22-Nov 10. Florida Repertory Theatre, Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Beware the House on Haunted Hill: Oct 10-27. Charlotte Players, Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. 941-2551022.

•Carrie - the Musical: Oct 18-27. Cultural Park Theatre Company, 528 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 772-5862.

•Chicago - the Musical: thru Nov 9. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Craving for Travel: Nov 15 & 16.

Royal Palm Players. Boca Grande Community Center, 131 1st St W, Boca Grande. 941-2694.

•Dead Man’s Cell Phone: Oct 4-13. The Studio Players, Joan Jenks Auditorium, Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples. 389-9192.

•Dear Albert Eisnstein: Oct 31May 22 select matinees. Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2268 Bay St & 2267 First St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Dear Evan Hansen: Nov 1 & 2. Van Wezel Hall, 777 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941-953-3368.

•Deck the Halls: Nov 30-Dec 24. Florida Studio Theatre Children’s Theatre. Keating Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-3669000.

•Dracula - A Comedy of Terrors: Oct 18-Nov 11. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Every Brilliant Thing: Nov 10-Dec 15. Gulfshore Playhouse. Baker Theatre & Education Center, 100 S Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples. 261-7529

•Forever Plaid: thru Oct 27. Florida Repertory Theatre, ArtStage Studio Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Greetings: Nov 25-Dec 22. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 800-3292.

•Hadestown - Teen Edition: Oct 17-20. Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 495-8989.

•Jennifer, Who is Leaving: Oct 18Dec 1. Urbanite Theatre, 1487 2nd St, Sarasota. 941-321-1397.

•Junie B Jones - the Musical: thru Oct 27. Florida Studio Theatre Children’s Theatre. Keating Theatre, 1241 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•Legally Blonde, Jr: Nov 9-12. Academy of Dramatic Arts. The Naples Players. Glass Educational Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Motown Christmas: Nov 27-Jan 5. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-1505.

•Murder Wrap: Oct 2-Nov 24. Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•No Sex Please, It’s Christmas: Nov 21-Dec 15. Charlotte Players, Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market

Grand Piano Series presents pianist Polina Osetinskaya at Arts—Naples on November 6.

Circle, Port Charlotte. 941-2551022.

•Off the Charts!: Oct 2-Feb 9. Florida Studio Theatre. Court Cabaret, 1239 N Palm Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-9000.

•Rat Pack Live!: Nov 12-16. Tribute concert. Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Rumors: Oct 2-20. The Naples Players. Kizzie Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Saturdy Night Fever - the Musical: Oct 4-13. 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd, #135, Cape Coral. 323-5533.

•Sealed for Freshness: Nov 15-24. Cultural Park Theatre Company, 528 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 772-5862.

•Soul Crooners Solid Gold: Oct 9-Nov 17. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-1505.

•Spongebob - the Musical: Oct 18-20. Theatre Conspiracy Youth Theatre. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 939-2787.

•Syncopation: Nov 1-24. Venice Theatre, Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-4881115.

•The Curious Savage: Oct 29-Nov 4. Asolo Repertory Theatre, Cook Theatre, Florida State Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941-3518000.

•The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Nov 26-Dec 15. Florida Repertory Theatre, Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•The Torch Bearers: thru Oct 13. Venice Theatre, Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941488-1115.

•The Velveteen Rabbit: Oct 29May 27 select matinees. Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2268 Bay St & 2267 First St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•The Wizard of Oz: Oct 3-20. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

•The Wonderful World of Oz: Nov 21-23. Conservatory at Gulfshore Playhouse. Baker Theatre & Education Center, 100 GoodletteFrank Rd S, Naples. 261-7529.

•Twelfth Night: Oct 31-Nov 7. FSW

21-Jan 2: Ft Myers Beach Art Assoc. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-2p. 495-8989.

•Arts Bonita Visual Arts Center: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Dec 19-Jan 15: Arts Bonita Staff & Faculty. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 4958989.

•Arts for ACT Gallery: Oct 4-29: J Penton; Nov 1-Dec 3: Lesley Morrow. 2265 First St, Ft Myers. Daily 12-8p. 337-5050.

•Baker Museum: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. Thru Oct 13: As We RisePhotographs from the Black Atlantic; thru Oct 13: Deep Cuts from the Ahmet Ertegun Collection; thru Jan 5: Becky Suss - The Dutch House; thru February: Alex Katz - Theater & Dance; Oct 19-Jun 29: Florida Contemporary. Guided tours Tue-Sat 11a & Sun 1p. Art After Hours: Free last Wed 6-9p - live music, food, drinks. Tue-Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p. 597-1900.

•Bayshore Art Gallery: 3954 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Receptions 1st Fri, 5-8p. Tue-Sat 11a-5p. 778-4665.

Black Box Theatre, Bldg L, rm 119B, 8099 College Pkwy Pkwy, Ft Myers. 481-4849.

•Two Witches, No Waiting: Oct 16-Nov 3. Lemon Bay Playhouse. 96 W Dearborn St, Englewood. 941-475-6756.

•Waitress: Nov 6-Dec 29. Florida Studio Theatre. Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 941-3669000.

•We Have an Opening… For a Reindeer: Nov 27-Dec 25: Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Where There’s a Will: Nov 6-17. Arts Center Theatre, Marco Island Center for the Arts, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 642-7270.

•Young Frankenstein: Oct 26-Nov 3. Academy of Dramatic Arts. The Naples Players. Glass Educational Theater, Sugden Theatre, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

Art Galleries

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

•Aldo Castillo Gallery: 1634 5th Ave S, Naples. Dec 11-Jan 5: Water Reflections - Enrique Machado; Jan 8-Feb 16: Sand Cast Glass TueSun 11a-7p. 312-375-8887.

•Alliance for the Arts: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Oct 4-26: Vibrant Portrait Collection - Sabrina Kovacs; Oct 4-26: The Art of Memory - Victoria Webber; Oct 4-26: Daydreaming - Ft Myers Beach Art Assoc. Receptions 1st Fri 5-7p. Tue-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a1p. 939-2787.

•Arsenault Studio & Banyan Arts Gallery: Judith Liegeois Designs, 1199 3rd St, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a5p & Sun 1-5p. Free. 263-1214.

•Art Center Sarasota: 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Oct 10-Nov 16: Gabriel Ramos, Amy Sanders, David Fithian, Euphoria juried show. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sar 12-5p. 941-365-2032.

•Art Lab: Naples Art District, 1819 J&C Blvd, Naples. 646-358-2531.

•Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center: 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Thru Nov 14: Exploring Surrealism in Art; Nov

•Behind the Buddha Artists’ Studios: 9290 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10a-4p, Wed 10a-9p, Sat 1-4p. 691-3225.

•BIG ARTS: 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. thru Oct 20: The Heights Center; thru Jan 31: lacy McClary; Oct 4-27: Nautical twilight; Nov 1-Dec 15: Ghost Horizons - Poetry & Printmaking; Nov 8-Jan 19: Springs - Assemblage in Four Mediums. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 3950900.

•Bob Rauschenberg Gallery: FSW State College, Humanities Hall, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. Thru Dec 7: William S Burroughs & Laurie Anderson - Language is a Virus. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 11a-3p. 489-9313.

•Bokeelia Art Gallery: 8315 Main St, Bokeelia. OCT-JUN Wed-Sun 10a-5p. 738-5280.

•Cape Coral Art Center: Rubicond Park, 4533 Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral. Oct 11-Nov 3: Gourdgeous Girls; Oct 11- Nov 3: Phobia; Nov 8-Dec 1: Bigger Than the Dish; Nov 8-Dec 1: La Luz. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Receptions second Fri of month. 574-0802.

•Cape Coral Art League: 516 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Oct 7-31: Garden Variety; Oct 7-31: Staff Art show; Nov 4-22: Express Yourself; Nov 4-22: Members show. Mon-Thu 11a-4p. Receptions 1st Thu. Open painting Wed 1-4p. Meetings 1st Mon 11a. Closed Aug. 772-5657.

•Clip Joint Barber Shop & Art Gallery: 7431 College Pkwy, unit 120, rm 136, Ft Myers. Mon & WedSat 10a-8p. 281-8180.

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

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

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL gallery. Coconut Point Mall, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. Receptions 1st Wed 5-7p. Tue-Sun 11a-5p. 949-3073.

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

•Creative Liberties Artist Residencies at Gaze Modern Gallery: 340 Central Ave, Sarasota. Thru 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. Open studio: 2nd Sat 11a3p. 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. Oct 10-Nov 23: 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: Oct 4-Dec 1: Obscurity, group show Alliance for the Arts campus, 10051 McGregor Blvd, #104, Ft Myers. Wed-Sun 10a-2p. Receptions 1st Fri 6-10p. 9550422.

•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 11a-8p, Sun 12-5p. 777-3283.

•Estero Art League: Estero Park Community Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Open paint Mon & Thu 9a-3p.

•Florida Gulf Coast University Art Galleries: 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. Wasmer Gallery– thru Oct 3: Method to the Madness; Oct 18Nov 21: Briena Harmening, Quinn Miller, Caitlin Rosolen. Outside Arts Complex— thru Oct 2025: Paul Firmin Public Art Project. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. 590-7199.

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

•Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery: Temporary Closed. 3030 Shell Mound, Ft Myers Beach. Exhibits– Oct 1-27: Members show at Alliance for the Arts, 10051 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers; Nov 21-Jan 2: Dreams to Wings at Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 463-3909.

•Gardner Colby Gallery: 386 & 365 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 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. Oct 1-Nov 1: Ruth Renshaw, KoriAnn Evans; Nov 5-Dec 2: Shirley Hales, Susan Priess. 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. Nov 21-24: From Paris to Naples. Tue-Sat 10a4p & by appt. 228-6934.

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

•HW Gallery: 462 9th St N, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. 263-6640.

•Island Conclave: Temporarily Closed. 5101 Pine Island Rd, Bokeelia. Tue-Sat 11a-5p. 2828488.

•Joel Shapses Gallery: Naples Art District, 6240 Shirley St, #102, Naples. Receptions NOV-APR Thu & 2nd Sat 1-5p. By appt. 954830-3156.

•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 103p. 276-0448.

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

•Lehigh Acres Art League: River Forest Assoc Clubhouse, 13506 Island Rd, Lehigh Acres. Meets Mon 10a-3p.

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

•MARA Art Studio & Gallery: 76 S Palm Ave, Sarasota. Thru Oct 22: Midge Johnson; thru Nov 12: Canvas Conversations; Oct 25-Nov 22: Julia Rivera; Nov 15-Dec 20: Still Waters group show. Tue-Fri 11a-4p. 941-914-8110.

•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 Oct 1: Hot! Hot! Hot!; Oct 7-Nov 25: Nat’l Assoc of Women Artists Florida Chapter. La Petite Galerie— Oct 7-29: Mai Yap; Nov 4-Dec 3: Lynn Nathanson. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 394-4221.

•Method & Concept: 26 10th St. S, Naples. Thru Oct 20: Summer exhibition; thru Nov 1: Muertos Experience. 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 Oct 27: Intersections; Nov 9-Jan 2: The Guild Hall Collection; Jan 11-Apr 6: Matisse & His Illustrated Works. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. 262-6517.

•Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens: 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. Exhibits— Oct 11-Jan 20: Beguiled by the Wild - Art off Charley Harper. Gardens Aglow. Dogs welcome Tue. Tue-Sun 9a-4p. 941-621-8299.

•Pine Island Art: 4577 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Exhibits— Best in Show at N Ft Myers Rec Center, 2000 N Recreation Pkwy, N Ft Myers. 10a-4p. Free. 283-4432 •Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery: 375 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 11a-5p. 261-4300.

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

•Rachel Pierce Art Gallery: Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Cleveland Ave SW, Ft Myers. Daily 10a-3p. 292-3327.

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

•Ringling College of Art & Design: 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Crossley Gallery (Hughes Studio Bldg, 2698 Bradenton Rd)— thru Oct 5: Dog Days. Skylight Gallery (Keating Center, Bradenton Rd)— Our People, Our Places. Smith Gallery— thru Oct 25: Illest of Illustration - Farmer’s Market. Stulberg Gallery (2700 N Tamiami Tr)— thru Oct 20: Faculty show. Thompson Gallery (Keating Center, Bradenton Rd)— thru Oct 18: Our People, Our Places. Mon-Sat 10a4p. 941-359-7563.

•Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Thru Jan 7, 2025: Skyway 2024; thru Jan 5, 2025: Shinique Smith; thru Feb 24: Jess T Dugan; thru Feb 29: Enduring Light; thru May 11: Radical Clay. Circus Museum— ongoing: The Greatest Show on Earth. Bayfront Gardens. Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.

What Goes On OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

•Sanibel Captiva Art League: Exhibits— thru Nov 1: Anticipation at Sanibel Public Library, 770 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. thru Nov 14: Brushstrokes at Captiva Civic Center 11550 Chapin Ln, Captiva. 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 Nov 1: Anticipation. Mon-Fri 9a-35p. 472-2155.

•Sarasota Art Museum: Ringling College, 1001 S Tamiami T, Sarasota. Thru Oct 27: Skyway; thru Oct 27: Galloway’s Furniture Showroom; thru Apr 2026: Molly Hatch; Oct 20-Jan 19: Tammy Nguyen; Oct 20-Jan 19: Claire Ashley; Nov 17-Apr 13: Larry Fink & Martha Posner; Nov 17-Apr 13: Joe Fig - Contemplating Vermeer. Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-5p. 941309-4300.

•Sea Grape Gallery: 113 Marion Ave, Punta Gorda. Oct 1-Nov 1: Donna Pope, Nancy Van Tassell. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat 10a-4p. 941-575-1718

•Sheldon Fine Art: 460 Fifth Ave S, Naples. Sun-Thu 10a-6p, Fri-Sat 10a-9p. 649-6255.

•Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center: 2301 First St, Ft Myers. Oct 4-17: Dark Art; Oct 4-17: Voodoo & Forest Magic; Nov 1-27: Enigma - Daniel Jude Vendetti; Nov 1-27: Nostalgia. Mon, Tue & Thu 10a-5p, Wed & Fri 10a-10p. 337-1933.

•smallwalls: Naples Art District, 6240 Shirley St, #103, Naples. By appt, 1st Wed 3-7p, 1st Thu 11a-5p, 3rd Sat 11a-5p. 402-201-6160.

•SPAACES Studio: 2051 Princeton St, Sarasota. Nov 1-Dec 14: Ake Arnerdale;. Fri & Sat 11a-2p & by appt. 941-374-3492.

•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.

•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. Oct 4-Dec 28: Faces of Water; Oct 4-Dec 28: In Fabric & Wood. Tue-Sat 10a-3p. 415-5667.

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

•Venice Art Center: 390 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. Oct 4-31: Members Show; Nov 11-Dec 5: Mixed Up Crazy. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. 941-4857136.

•Visual Arts Center: 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. Thru Oct 11: Pineapples in Paradise; Oct 1-Nov 1: Common Threads; Oct 16-Nov 8: Expressions of Gratitude; Oct 16Nov 8: Student Show; Nov 14-Dec 28: Holiday Showcase. Mon & Fri 10a-4p, Tu-Thu 10a-7p, 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. TueFri 11a-3p. 395-2233.

•Bishop Museum of Science & Nature: 201 10th St W, Bradenton. Exhibits, manatee habitat, planetarium Tue-Sat 10a-5p & 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 TueSat 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. Haunted walks: Oct Fri-Sun 7:30-11:30p. Guided walks select Tue, Thu, Sat 10a; Full moon night hikes select nites 8p. Planetarium shows Mon-Sat 12 & 2p & Sun 12, 2, 3:30p. Tue-Sun 10a-4p. 275-3435.

•Cape Coral Historical Museum: 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Museum buildings & gardens. Wed-Fri 11a-4p & Sat 10a2p. 772-7037.

•Children’s Museum of Naples: North Collier Park, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. Sun-Tue & Thu-Sat 10a-4:30p. 514-0084.

•Collier County Museum at Government Center: 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. thru Oct 5: Collier Employee Art Show; Oct 22-Nov 30: Portraits of Dementia; Nov 26-Jan 4: A Cottage Christmas. 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 eco-tours. Guided walks MonSat. 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. Guided wildlife walks & hospital tours, presentations 11a daily, Trails open daily sunrisesunset. Free. 657-2253.

•CROW: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Visitor Education Center, wildlife presentations daily 11a; speakers. 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.

•ECHO Global Farm & Research Center: 17391 Durrance Rd, N Ft Myers. Farm tours Tue-Sat 9:30a. Technology Village tours: Tue-Sat 9:30a. Tue-Fri 9a-4p & Sat 9a-3p. 543-3246.

•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.; Piano recitals Wed 1p. Holiday Nights Celebration: Nov 29-Jan 5, 5:30-9p. 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.

•Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center: 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd, # 108, Naples. Exhibits— Photography of Martin Graf. 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. MonSat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 321-7420.

•Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee. Oct 22-Feb 1: Lake Trafford - Ecology & Excursions. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-2611.

•Marco Island Historical Museum: 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. thru Feb 15: Reflections of South Florida - a 50-Year Art Adventure with Paul Arsenault. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 642-1440.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Oct 5-Dec 1: The Orchid ShowPurple!. thru Jan 1: Lights in Bloom. 10a-5p daily. 941-366-5731.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Historic Spanish Point, 337 N Tamiami Tr, Osprey. Nov 9-Aug 31, 2025: Patti Smith - A Book of Days. Oct 9-31: Lights at Spooky Point 7:30-9p. Daily 10a-5p. 941366-5731

•Mound House: 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Guided tours Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-3p; programs Tue, Wed, Sat 10a; Shell Mound tours Tue-Sat 10a, 12 & 2p; Garden tours Tue & Fri 1p; Untold Stories tours Thu 2p; Free guided beach walks Tue & Thu 9a at Newton Park, 4650 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Wed-Sat 7:30a-6:30p. 765-0865.

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

•Museum of the Everglades: 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. Thru Jan 2025: Python Hunters. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 695-0008.

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

•Naples Botanical Garden: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Exhibitions— thru Oct 27: Ran Adler. Fogg Café exhibit— thru Oct 27: Ran Adler. Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden: Nov 29-Jan 5, 6-9p. Music in the Garden: 2nd Sat. Birding tours: Tue 8a. Tours daily 10a-1p on hour. Daily 9a-5p, Wed 9a-8p. 643-7275.

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

•Naples Historical Society Historic Palm Cottage: Museum & gardens. Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave. S, Naples. Tours: Tue-Sat 12-4p (register). Christmas at Palm Cottage: Dec 3-31. Tue-Sat 12-4p. 261-8164.

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

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

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

•Paradise Coast Sports Complex: 3940 City Gate Blvd N, Naples. Nov 22-Jan 4: Magic of Lights 6-9p. Live music select nites 5-8p at The Cove. Free. 252-4386.

•Peace River Wildlife Center: Ponce de Leon Park, 3400 Ponce de Leon Pkwy, Punta Gorda. Daily 11a-4p. 941-637-3830

•Randell Research Center: 7450

Pineland Rd, Pineland. Calusa Heritage Trail, South Florida archeology & ethnography exhibits. Guide Calusa Heritage Trail tours Tue-Sat 10a; Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 1p. Sunrise-sunset. 283-2062.

•Revs Institute: 2500 Horseshoe Dr S, Naples. Tours & workshops. Tue, Thu, Sat 10a-4p. Tix in advance. 687-7387.

•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. Exhibits— thru Oct 31: The Ocean Decade. Exhibits, daily programs, guided boat & kayak eco-tours. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. 530-5940.

•Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Landscapes

& Garden Center: 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Exhibits, demonstration gardens, workshops. Tue-Thu 9a-3p. 472-1932.

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

•Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Live animal shows, tours. Daily 10a-4p. 941-355-5305

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Organic spa, garden & dining. Garden tours Tue & Wed 10a. Daily 9a-4p. 949-0749.

•True Tours: River District History Walking Tour: select Thu & Sat 10:30a; Haunted History Tours Wed & Sat 8p (pre-register). Franklin Shops, 2200 1st St, Ft Myers. 945-0405.

•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. 3328778.

•Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Botanical gardens, animals, alligator feedings. Guided tours Thu-Mon 1p. Boo-tanical Weekend: Oct 11, 5-8p; Oct 12 & 13,11a-2p. Daily 10a-4p. 992-2591.

Parks & Beaches

•Alison Hagerup Beach: 14790 Captiva Dr, Captiva. Dawn-dusk. Parking fee. 472-2472.

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

•Bailey Homestead Preserve: Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 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. 3400397.

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

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers presents Chicago thru November 9.

What Goes On OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

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

•Caloosahatchee Park: 18500 North River Rd, Alva. Dawn-dusk. 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. 941-5755816.

•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. 597-6196.

•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. Dawn-dusk. Free. 574-0804.

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

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

•Hickey Creek Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva. Dawn-dusk. 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. Oct 11-31: Scarecrows in the Park. 7a-dusk. 533-7575.

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

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

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

•Lovers Key State Park:  8700 Estero Blvd. Ft Myers Beach. Bicycling & hiking trails, boating, paddling. Guided walks select Fri & Sat 10:30a; wildlife lectures Wed 10:30a; sunset meditations Mon 1.5 hrs before sunset; seashell walk

1st Fri 10:30a; wildlife hikes 1st Sat 10:30a; beach & estuary walk 3rd Fri 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. Dawn-dusk. 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. Dawndusk. Free. 357-5443. .

•Olga Park: 2325 S Olga Dr, Ft Myers. Community Center. Dawndusk. 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. Dawndusk. 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. Dawn-dusk. Free. 340-0397.

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

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

•Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: 7791 Penzance Blvd, Ft Myers. Boardwalk, interpretive

center open Tue-Sun 10a-4p.

Guided boardwalk walks daily 9:30a. Guided ‘wet walks’ select Sat & Wed 9:30a & 1p Sep & Oct. 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. Dawn-9:15p. Free. 478-6998.

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

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

Libraries

•Bonita Springs: 10560 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a5p. 533-4860.

•Cape Coral-Lee County: 921 S.W. 39th Ter, Cape Coral. Exhibit— thru Nov 8: Voices & VotesDemocracy in America. Mon-Wed 9a-8p. Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4500.

•Captiva: 11560 Chapin Ln, Captiva. Mon, Wed, Fri 10a-4p. 533-4890.

•Collier County Library Headquarters: 2385 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples. Mon-Thu 9a8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7311.

•Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon: 3095 Blount St, Fort Myers. Tue 12-8p, Wed & Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a5p. 533-4150.

•East County: 881 Gunnery Rd N, Lehigh Acres. Mon-Wed 9a-8p, Thu 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4200.

•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 9a-6p, 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 9a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 533-4000.

•Marco Island: 210 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. Mon-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 252-7064.

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

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

•Northwest: 519 Chiquita Blvd N, Cape Coral. Mon, Wed, Thu 10a-6p, Tue 12-8p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 5334700.

•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. 533-4780.

•Vanderbilt Beach: 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples. Tue-Thu 10a-6p, Fri & Sat 9a-5p. 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 w Rex Bongo & Harry Cassano. 693-7111.

•Buddha Bar: 12701 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Live music select WedSun nites. 482-8565.

•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

Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers hosts the exhibition, ‘Daydreaming,’ featuring works by the Fort Myers Beach Art Assoiciation, October 4-26.

McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers, Live music select nites & Sat 2-5p. Free. 204-9665.

•Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St, Ft Myers. Live music Thu-Sun. 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. 313-6576.

•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. Live music— jazz select Thu 7-9p: Brandon Robertson Quartet; Irish music 1st Sun 4-7p: The Rowdy Bards; folk music 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.

•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. 435-9333.

•Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge: 39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Live music select Wed-Sat 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 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.