September-October 2017

PREVIEWS

International Arts Festival

Returns to Sarasota R

ingling International Arts Festival (RIAF) returns for its ninth season with an array of innovative and provocative music and movement from around the world. From October 18-21, The Ringling will host 24 performances of seven productions at the Historic Asolo Theater, the Ringling Circus Museum, the Museum of Art, and the West Courtyard.

The festival opens on October 18 with an evening celebration in Ringling’s West Courtyard, introducing the Arts Festival’s guest artists and featuring a performance by eVenti Verticale of Wanted. Following the final performance on October 21, a closing night party, ‘Ringling World’s Fair,’ will feature music, dancing and entertainment in the Museum of Art courtyard with World’s Fair style pavilions dedicated to the world of arts. Artists performing at the Arts Festival:

ensemblenewSRQ : Sarasota musical group perform the music of John Luther Adams, performed in the James Turrell Skyspace; and Luciano Berio’s

Sequenzas in the Museum of Art’s Huntington Gallery.

eVenti Verticale : Italian performance group combines theater, circus, graphic art, acrobatics, dance, music, visual comedy, and new technologies all on a vertical stage.

Volker Gerling : German photographer has walked over 2,000 miles across his native country creating flipbook portraits of the people he meets. His work, Portraits in Motion, presents a selection of his favorites projected onto a large screen while he narrates the stories behind them.

James McGinn : A new work by the Sarasota native, Ing an Die, is the product of a decade of research into Wagner’s theory of a total or universal work of art. The piece, operatic in both scope and scale, combines several choreographic languages with symbolic imagery.

Monica Bill Barnes & Co.: Contemporary American dance ensemble’s Happy Hour, transforms the Ringling Circus Museum into a Side Show Cabaret. Performed by Monica Bill Barnes and Anna Bass, Happy Hour brings the audience together for cocktails, karaoke and laughter.

Nobuntu : Female acapella quintet making its American debut with a program ranging from traditional Zimbabwean

songs to Afro Jazz and Gospel. Performed with minimal percussion, traditional instruments, and authentic dance.

Nassim Soleimanpour/ Urbanite Theatre: Forbidden to leave his native Iran, Soleimanpour has distilled the experience of a generation born amidst the hardship of the Iran-Iraq war into an utterly original play, White Rabbit Red Rabbit. The script arrives in a sealed envelope and is presented to a solo actor at the onset of each performance. No rehearsal and no direction.

Each group performs each day at various times. Visit the www.ringling.org/riaf for schedules. Tickets to any performance also includes free admission to the Museum of Art, Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan. The Ringling is located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd. in Sarasota. For information, call 941-360-7399.

Songwriters Descend on SWFL

The Island Hopper Songwriter Festival returns for its fourth year to Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Captiva, September 22October 1. Headliners include Lindsay Ell and Brooke Eden, performing at Pinchers Crab Shack at The Marina at Edison Ford on September 27. The Canadian Country Music Association recently nominated Ell for Female Artist of the Year.

This year’s festival includes more than 100 live performances, more than 70 songwriters giving more than 100 live performances at 21 venues. Most performances are free, with a few select shows requiring paid admission.

Some of the songwriters appearing at the festival for the first time are Natalie Hemby (‘White Liar,’ recorded by Miranda Lambert), Clint Daniels (‘Brokenheartsville,’ recorded by Joe Nichols) and Maggie Rose.

Returning songwriters include Even Stevens (‘I Love a Rainy Night,’ recorded by Eddie Rabbit), Aaron Barker (‘What About Now,’ recorded by Lonestar). Wynn Varble, and Karla Davis.

The Festival comes to Captiva first, September 22-24, with performances at Key Lime Bistro, South Seas Island Resort, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Crow’s Nest at ‘Tween the Waters, Cantina Captiva, RC Otter’s, and Mucky Duck. Downtown Fort

Sarasota’s ensemblenewSRQ perform the music of John Luther Adams and Luciano Berio during the Ringling International Arts Festival in Sarasota, October 18-21.

Myers hosts concerts September 25-28 at The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, City Tavern, Hotel Indigo, and Pincher’s at The Marina at Edison Ford. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts a special Songwriters Round on the evening of September 28, for which tickets are needed. The Festival winds up in Fort Myers Beach, September 29-October 1 at Diamondhead Resort’s Cabana, Sunset Beach Tropical Grill, Pierside Grill, Matanzas on the Bay, Nervous Nellie’s, Pincher’s Crab Shack, Yucatan Beach

Stand, and Pink Shell Beach Resort. RaeLynn performs a ticketed concert at the Pink Shell Resort on the evening of October 1.

Some highlights of the Festival are performances by Taylor Alexander (September 29 at Matanzas on the Bay, September 30 at the Diamondhead Resort, October 1 at Pincher’s Crab Shack) and Stephen Dorff (September 29 at Diamondhead Resort and September 30 at Nervous Nellie’s). Alexander became a celebrity with his breakout performance of Cher’s ‘Believe’ on this year’s The Voice Steven Dorff has starred in many films, most recently Wheeler, which he co-wrote, about a musician from Texas who travels to Nashville following his lifelong dream.

Visit the Island Hopper Songwriters Fest website for schedule, venues, and artist bios. Call 338-3500 for information.

Sanibel Celebrates‘Ding’

Darling Days

The 29th annual eco-festival and celebration of the J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge features activities for children and adults alike, including wildlife presentations, puppet shows, butterfly house, crafts, educational exhibits, live entertainment, and walking, bicycling, kayaking, and tram tours throughout the day, October 15-21.

October 15 : Free Family Fun Day

October 16 : Let’s Go on a Hike Day

October 17 : Beach &Water Day.

October 18 : Bees & Butterflies Day.

October 19 : Calusa Day.

October 20 : Duck Stamp Day.

October 21 : Conservation Art Day.

On Family Fun Day, October 15, the Wildlife Refuge will debut its new #LearningLab exhibit, which will transform the Visitor & Education Center restrooms into marine life exhibits. Also on October 15, the schedule includes Kids Animal Yoga, live animal presentations by CROW, and a performance by the Sanibel School Steel Drumming Band.

In addition to the day’s all-free refuge tours and activities, this year’s festival features the Florida WaterVentures Traveling Lab, a 53-foot traveling science center featuring hands-on activities focusing on Florida's watersheds, water conservation, and recycling.

WaterVentures will also be open for touring the following day, October 16. The theme that day is ‘Let’s Go on a Hike Day,’ and includes a scavenger hunt at Bailey Tract, Animal Olympics on Indigo Trail, a hike and story time with Ranger Toni at the Wildlife Education Boardwalk, and a showing of the film, The Lorax

The J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge, open daily from dawn to dusk, is located at 1 Wildlife Drive on Sanibel. For information, call 472-1100.

NaplesFilmFest Teams Up with Artis–Naples

Naples International Film Festival has partnered with Artis–Naples to produce this year’s events. The ninth Naples Film Festival kicks off October 26 with an Opening Night Gala — with VIP red carpet, a film screening followed by a discussion with the filmmaker, and an afterparty — all at Artis–Naples. The festival continues with screenings afternoons and evenings, October 27-29 at Silverspot Cinemas at Mercato in Naples.

Germain Arena

11000 Everblades Parkway Estero

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Oct 13: vs Atlanta Gladiators

Oct 14: vs Atlanta Gladiators *

Oct 25: vs Indy Fuel

Oct 27: vs Indy Fuel

Oct 28: vs Indy Fuel *

Nov 8: vs Cincinnati Cyclones

Nov 10: vs Cincinnati Cyclones

Nov 11: vs Cincinnati Cyclones *

Nov 18: vs Jacksonville Icemen *

Dec 8: vs Jacksonville Icemen

Dec 9: vs Jacksonville Icemen *

Dec 13: vs South Carolina Stingrays

Dec 15: vs South Carolina Stingrays

Dec 16:vsSouthCarolinaStingrays*

Dec 20: vs Jacksonville Icemen

Jan 3: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Jan 12: vs Jacksonville Icemen

Feb 2: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Feb3:vsGreenvilleSwampRabbits*

Feb 7: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Feb 9: vs Allen Americans

Feb 10: vs Allen Americans *

Feb 23: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Feb 24: vs Jacksonville Icemen

Feb 25: vs Jacksonville Icemen

Mar 2: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Mar 3:vsGreenvilleSwampRabbits*

Mar 16: vs Orlando Solar Bears

Mar 17: vs Orlando Solar Bears *

Mar 21: vs Norfolk Admirals

Mar 23: vs Norfolk Admirals

Mar 24: vs Norfolk Admirals *

Mar 28:vsGreenvilleSwampRabbits

Mar 30: vsGreenvilleSwampRabbits

Mar 31: vs Atlanta Gladiators

Apr 7: vs Jacksonville Icemen *

ALLGAMESSTART 7:30PM

EXCEPT * STARTS 7PM

There are five categories of films in the festival: narrative features, documentary features, shorts (40 minutes or less), Florida films (at least partially shot in Florida), and Young Filmmakers Showcase (short films of 10 minutes or less by Lee and Collier County students, K-12).

The Film Festival closes at Artis–Naples on October 29 with a screening of Colin Hay: Waiting for My Real Life. There is a reception and awards ceremony before the screening, which is followed by a Wrap Party featuring a performance by Colin Hay.

A special Tribute Night is scheduled for October 28, but at press time the locations and

Stephen Dorff, better known as an actor, will be performing his songs at Fort Myers Beach’s Diamondhead Resort on September 29 & Nervous Nellie’s on September30 during the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival.

‘Ding’ Darling Days,’ the week-long celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, is October 15-21.

subject of the tribute had not been announced.

Artis–Naples is located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples. Silverspot Cinemas is located at Mercato, 9118 Strada Place in Naples. For information, call 775-3456

Rauschenberg Gallery Hosts Fluxus Show

Florida SouthWestern State College’s Bob Rauschenberg Gallery is hosting ‘FluZUsic/FLUXUS MUSIC,’ an interactive installation with newly commissioned works by Yoko Ono, Geoffrey Hendricks, Alison Knowles and Philip Corner, ‘FluZUsic/FLUXUS MUSIC’ provides an historical examination into this seminal art movement and a participatory, sonic experience for visitors.

Heavily inspired by the ideas of John Cage, Fluxus art often relied on chance to shape the outcome of a work and actively involve the viewer. Fluxus compositions or scores for performances and events involved simple actions, ideas and objects from everyday life. Incorporating poetry, visual art and writing, Fluxus performances were the embodiment of ‘intermedia,’ a dialogue between two or more media to create a third, entirely new art form. Beginning with a series of festivals featuring concerts of experimental music and other avant-garde performance, Fluxus artists reacted against the commodification of art, its commercialization in the gallery system, and its static presentation in museums. While Bob Rauschenberg famously stated his

interest in working ‘in the gap between art and life,’ the primary goal of most Fluxus artists was to destroy any boundary between the two, an ‘anti-art’ offering a new way of thinking about the process of art while using humor to mock the elitist world of ‘high art.’ FluZUsic/FLUXUS MUSIC is on view thru November 11 at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, located on the campus of FSW State College, 8099 College Pkwy. in Fort Myers. Call 489-9313 for information.

Backstage at TheatreZone

TheatreZone is beginning its 13th season as an equity theatre showcasing professional actors, singers, dancers and musicians performing in the intimate 250-seat G&L Theatre. TheatreZone is now offering behind-the-scenes tours prior to the first Saturday matinee of each

show next season. The 90-minute small group tours led by Artistic Director Mark Danni and Managing Director Karen Molnar Danni will include views of the dressing rooms, costume storage areas and behind the stage, as well as a brief presentation about the history of TheatreZone and the opportunity to watch actors preparing on stage with mic checks and vocal warmups for the afternoon's performance. Tours will be offered at noon on December 9 (Home for the Holidays), January 13 (Me & My Girl), February 10 (Secret Garden), March 10 (Copacabana), and April 28 (Baby).

A ticket to that day's show is not required. The ability to climb stairs is required, as elevator access is not available for all areas.

The G&L Theatre is located on the campus of the Naples Community School, 13275 Livingston Rd. in Naples. For information, call 888-966-3352.

Brews for Birds at Wonder Gardens

Craft beer connoisseurs, food truck fans and avian aficionados will enjoy the inaugural ‘Brews for the Birds’ fundraiser at the Everglades Wonder Gardens.

On the evening of September 23, the Everglades Wonder Gardens will be transformed into the ‘Everglades Beer Gardens,’ with craft beer tastings and new music by Naples-based band, The Woodwork.

Bone Hook Brewing Co., Bury Me Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing, Momentum Brewhouse, Naples Beach

Brewery, Point Ybel Brewing Company, Riptide Brewing Company, and Scotty’s Bierwerks will be serving their signature brews. Food trucks will be onsite, including El Local Mexican Street Food, JewBan’s Deli Dale, and Sweet Cheesus.

All event proceeds from ticket sales, as well as 10% of food truck sales, will support the enhancement of the Wonder Gardens birds’ living environment.

An 80-year-old cultural icon and designated historic resource of the City of Bonita Springs, the Everglades Wonder Gardens provides visitors the opportunity to experience more than 2,100 rare and exotic trees and plants, and 245 rescued birds and reptiles. The Wonder Gardens, located at 27180 Old 41 Rd. in Bonita Springs, is open daily, 9am-5pm. For information, call 992-2591.

Historical Places at Naples Depot Museum

The Naples Depot Museum presents ‘Sites & Scenes: Collier County’s Historic Places,’ an exhibition of photographs of some of Collier County’s most important landmarks and the stories behind them, from the 19th Century homes to a railroad depot from the Roaring ‘20s.

Set in Naples’ first passenger train station, the restored Naples Depot Museum takes visitors back to Florida’s railroading heyday and tells how technology and transportation helped Naples grow from a village of 300

FSW’s Bob Rauchenberg Gallery hosts an exhibition of Fluxus art thru November 11.

pioneers to today’s modern Gulf Coast resort.

‘Sites & Scenes: Collier County’s Historic Places’ is on view thru October 28. Naples Depot Museum, located at 1051 5th Ave. in downtown Naples, is open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. Admission to all Collier County Museums is free. For information, call 262-6525.

WANTED singers

The Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida, resident chorus for the Southwest Florida Symphony, invites singers to audition for the group.

Repertoire includes classical masterworks and contemporary compositions, including commissions and premieres of new and newly discovered works.

The audition is about 5-10 minutes with Artistic Director Dr.Trent Brown and accompanist Abbey Allison. You'll be asked to sing at least one minute and no more than three of a prepared selection.

Pre-season auditions will be held the evening of September 5. Auditions are held at their rehearsal venue, Lamb of God

Church, 19691 Cypress View Drive in Fort Myers. Interested singers should call the Symphonic Chorale of SWFL at 560-5695.

actors

TheatreZone, in Naples, will hold auditions for its 2017-18 season shows on September 9 & 10, from 10am-6pm, at the G&L Theatre on the Community School of Naples campus, located at 13275 Livingston Rd. in Naples. Equity and non-Equity performers are invited to audition for Home for the Holidays, Me & My Girl, Secret Garden, Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, and Baby. Show dates, roles and descriptions are available on TheatreZone’s website. Performers must prepare 32 bars of a song, bring sheet music, and be prepared to dance. Appointments are required. Equity members without appointments will be seen throughout the audition day as time permits.

Call 888-966-3352 for information.

artists

Art Fest Naples at Fleischmann Park is seeking artists working in all media to exhibit at their 21st annual juried art show, to be held January 20-21 in Fleischmann Park in Naples. A jury of arts

professionals will select the artists to participate in the show and will award prizes in numerous categories. All artists must apply online at www.artfestnaples.com by October 15. For information, call 634-2337.

filmmakers

The 4th Annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival is currently calling for entries. The theme for 2017 is ‘Historic Bonita.’ Entries should be 1-10 minutes long. The deadline for submissions is October 8.

The festival will award $2250 in cash for the winners in all categories. The organization provides technical support and assistance to all film makers.

The Film Festival Gala, with awards ceremony, will take place on November 2nd.

For information, call 404-3377.

photographers

September 15 is the deadline for submissions for the 30th Annual ‘Ding’ Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest. All entries this year must be submitted electronically.

The contest, sponsored by the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge, is held in conjunction with ‘Ding’ Darling Days, a community eco-festival, October 15-21.

Only amateur photographers (of all ages) are eligible to enter. Photos must be taken at J.N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Reserve within the last two years. Each person may enter up to two photos. Only very limited image modifications are permitted.

First, second, and third place winners and honorable mentions will be formally announced during the ‘Ding’ Darling Day’s week-

long celebration held in October. Cash prizes will be awarded. For information, call 292-0566.

child actors

Broadway Palm is holding open children’s auditions for their upcoming production of A Christmas Story on September 10 at 1pm. Auditions are on a firstcome, first-served basis. A sign-up sheet will be available at noon. No appointments will be taken. Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, call 278-4422.

actors

Venice Theatre invites volunteer performers to audition for Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Silver Foxes performance troupe. Auditions for Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage are September 10 & 11, at 7:30pm. The show is scheduled to run November 2-19. Singing auditions for The Silver Foxes is September 11 and acting auditions for The Silver Foxes are September 12. Auditions both dates start at 10am. Dancing auditions for The Silver Foxes will be held in October on date to be announced. The Silver Foxes annual show is scheduled for March 19-24.

Auditions for A Midsummer Night's Dream are September 17 & 18, beginning at 7:30pm. The play is scheduled to run March 15-April 8.

All auditions will be held at Venice Theatre, located at 140 W. Tampa Ave. in Venice. For information about auditioning for Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage and A Midsummer Night's Dream, call 941-484-4033. For information about auditioning for The Silver Foxes, call 941-486-8679.

‘Sites & Scenes: Collier County’s Historical Places’ is on view at the Naples Depot Museum in downtown Naples thru October 28.

Discovering the Earth Exploring the Sky

by Julie Clay

Imagine a place where you can both view Florida wildlife in their natural habitats, then learn about the world above us from a state of the art planetarium show? Look no further than the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium (CNCP) in Fort Myers. Some 47 years old, the 105-acre nonprofit had fallen into a state of disrepair and disregard. However, recently installed Executive Director Larry Aguilar (the Center’s first E.D. in three years) and his team are out to freshen the place up and re-establish it as one of Southwest Florida’s premier attractions.

Coming from a political, banking and nonprofit background, most recently running Dunbar’s Quality Life Center, Aguilar’s resume might not necessarily fit the stereotypical image of a nature center director, but he brings with him solid business practice experience, as well as the relationships he’s forged in the local community. With those he intends to rebuild interest in the Center via increased field trips, volunteer numbers and paid memberships. A good fixin’ and exciting events are also currently in the works.

A recent conversation revealed the excitement he and his staff have for the Center.

“There’s a classroom out here,” Mr. Aguilar relates, “It’s 105 acres. In that classroom we have a planetarium,

a museum to talk about underwater science, space science, and a tremendous number of different organisms in the earth. We don’t use pesticides here. Without chemicals, the wildlife and organisms here have a chance to flourish.”

He continues, “Some of the trails have a shell coating, but the largest trail here is totally wild. It goes the circumference here, which is vast. You can see that the birds here can flourish. The hawks are massive. We have a huge owl. Sometimes I’ve been walking out to the parking lot and its perched on a low branch.” Maybe the owl is waiting around to visit its friends in the new aviary?

Although other aviaries offer an up-close and personal experience, this one will be for viewing only,” says Aguilar. “Although visitors will not be able to touch or feed the birds, there will be bird enrichment activities to benefit both the birds and the visitors,” adding that they maintain birds that can’t survive in the wild on their own, some of whom have been domesticated their whole lives and welcome human interaction.

“We have had over 47 species of birds at one time or other come through our doors by way of injury or donation from some individual. CNCP serves as a sanctuary for birds of prey in support of the Audubon Society,” says Aguilar, not-

ing that the short list includes eastern screen owls, great horned owls, bald eagles, red shouldered hawks, crested caracara, and two species of hawks. The Center also works in conjunction with CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on Sanibel Island for wildlife rescues.

Nature education is also of primary importance to Aguilar, who notes that the Center’s Iona House, a one-room building with roomy, vaulted ceilings, is home to a Montessori Preschool beginning this year.

From pure Florida nature to high-tech stargazing, the Calusa Center is intent on offering a full range of educational pursuits. View the iguana exhibit built as an Eagle Scout project, walk the boardwalk and enjoy the alligators in their natural habitat, then head indoors to the Planetarium for an astral show.

A former NASA employee and professor at FGCU and the Air Force Academy, Planetarium Director Heather Preston is an astronomer passionate about sharing the wonder of the stars, and eagerly does so daily at the Calusa Planetarium. Three shows run daily covering various astral topics, and each show begins with a live orientation as to what is happening in our local night sky. Visit Calusanature.org/planetarium for a complete schedule.

The Planetarium also presents Laser shows several times each evening the last two weekends of each month, set to classic rock music by acts such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendrix, but Aguilar hints at a possible Michael Jackson/Motown-themed show being planned.

Preston shares news of Casini Day, happening on September 15 at the Planetarium. “Cassini is a probe circling Saturn whose mission is complete,” she says. “On the 15th it will dive into Saturn’s atmosphere, transmitting data the whole way down. Results should be available around then.”

Then there are the UFO’s each Sunday. To be precise, UFO at this juncture stands for

Underground Freak Out, and it’s the brainchild of local electronic musician Frank Ferrante, aka Randombongoguy. He performs at the Planetarium on select Sundays playing experimental music while a planetarium show runs simultaneously. Word has it he enjoys using citrus fruit as instruments. Shows are free. You can hear samples of his music on Randombongoguy’s Facebook page.

With October 31 fast approaching, the Planetarium will host a Halloween laser show with Beetlejuice and other fun, slightly scary, subjects. Speaking of scary, the annual CNCP Haunted Walk returns nightly from October 1931, from 7-11pm. Aguilar promises new attractions for this year’s walk.

Once at the Planetarium, don’t miss the newly installed “A Touch of Mars” exhibit. Preston explains that the exhibit contains an actual meteorite broken off by Mars that landed here. It was found in the Sahara Desert and scientists have verified its origin. The meteorite is one of only four in the entire country. The rock is quite small, but visitors can actually touch it.

Aguilar says, “We have a responsibility to show children what’s out there. A lot of the technology that we use today, some of it was developed when space exploration was at its highest point. I think that we need to ignite that sense of discovery and exploration in children to want to know more about the possibilities and being creative. In doing so, there will be some discoveries to advance humankind.” •

The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is a nonprofit organization, receiving no city or county funding for their operations, relying solely on admission fees and donations. Aguilar notes that their premier fundraising gala, ‘Return to Nature’ is November 17 at Belltower Shops’ center court.

CNCPis located at 3450 Ortiz Avenue in Fort Myers, just off Colonial Blvd. Call 2753435 for information.

“There’s a classroom out here,” Mr. Aguilar relates, “It’s 105 acres. In that classroom we have a planetarium,

a museum to talk about underwater science, space science, and a tremendous number of different organisms.”

by Paula Bolado

ALICE HOFFMANdoesn’t subscribe to the phrase, “Write what you know,” because she believes that you can write what you imagine. With her new book, The Rules of Magic (to be published in October), which is the prequel to Practical Magic, she shows us that her imagination has garnered a type of cult following of readers who easily get swept up in her magical novels. Those who love the book Practical Magic, and who watch the movie every Halloween, starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, have been eagerly awaiting to read more about the Owen’s family in The Rules of Magic. She has such fans because Hoffman has the ability to fuse fantasy with history, magic with realism, and mysticism with religion. She is the author of three books of short fiction, and eight books for children and young adults, and over thirty novels, which include Property of, Here on Earth, Faithful, The Marriage of Opposites, The Dovekeepers, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Ice Queen. I recently had the opportunity to interview her prior to her appearance as the keynote speaker for the 12th Annual Sanibel Writers Conference at BIG Arts on Sanibel Island, November 2-5, 2017. She was candid with me about the significance and metaphorical aspect of lightning strike-effects in her novels, her ability to write from the perspective of different sexes, and about what compels her to write about those of the Jewish faith and the tragic histories attached to their stories. •

PAULA: What was an early experience where you learned that storytelling part of you or that language had power?

ALICE: Well, that’s a hard question. I think it was mostly as a child, reading was so important … it was a huge escape for me, and I was a very escapist reader. And I found other worlds that were unavailable to me in my real life, so I think that was when I first realized how powerful reading can be. What compels you to tell such stories that are wrapped up in love and loss, history, and magic?

I think very often a writer doesn’t know what her theme is until she’s written a book. And it took me a very long time to realize that my books all have a theme and they all have a similar goal — a story within a story. It was always about love and loss and survivorship, no matter whether it was a modern telling of a story or a historical novel, they have the same core, and that I think is what I’m interested in and that is what my question is: How do people survive love and loss both?

Who are writers that you love?

Toni Morrison is my favorite writer. I think she is the greatest living writer. I also think that what you read when you are twelve, thirteen, and fourteen really influences you hugely and for me that was Ray Bradbury. He taught me so much about the world and about writing.

Toni Morrison has called The Dovekeepers “a major contribution to twenty-first century literature.”

That was more meaningful to me than anything anyone has ever said in the entire time of writing about my work. That meant so much to me and it was so kind of her.

Some writers worry about being true to time periods and historical events. Your imagined stories are grounded in scrupulous stories. Can you speak about the research involved to writing such novels?

I’m not exactly sure how I do it. For instance, with The Dovekeepers I didn’t intend to write about that period of time. My son is an archeologist and I went to Israel and we went to Masada together. When I got there, it was a 110 degrees in August, no one was up there, and it was a very haunting, spiritual place. And then as I was walking around, I saw a sign that there were survivors at Masada [900 Jews died within the fortress as the Romans pressed in]. Even though I thought I knew the story of Masada, I never heard before that there were survivors. So, as soon as I saw that, I had a feeling that this could be a novel.

So then, when I went home, I did a ton of research, but I had already been in the place and the museum there and I had this kind of vision. I went back and forth between doing research and writing, and the one thing I try to do in everything is not to be false to anything, so that if there is a real time or a real date, I try to do my best to have it be historically correct, and I’m pretty fanatical about it. Of course, you can always make a mistake, but everything else is imagined. Everything that is not known can be imagined.

You have so much symbolism in these novels; like the lion image in The Dovekeepers that kept coming up. Are these intentional or do they arise in your storytelling?

I think they arise naturally in the writing of it. And then usually when you read over the first or second draft you realize what these things mean and you can refine them.

What makes you feel compelled to tell stories of those from the Jewish faith?

Well, I wanted to give a voice to people and especially to women who I felt like couldn’t tell their own story, or didn’t have a chance to tell their own story. And I think considering that my grandmother was my first storyteller and she was a Russian Jew and told me stories about growing up in Russia that sounded to me like fairy tales, I had that connection with the first stories I ever heard.

Many of your characters are women, but in other books you are able to capture the thoughts and actions of men very well. What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?

I don’t find it terribly hard because I really think that people are taught to “write what you know.” But a great writing professor I had said, “Write what you imagine.” So, I think that’s why people want to write fiction in that they can become someone else. It’s kind of like being an actor and you take on the persona of a character who is completely different, but you

can imagine what it would be like to be that person. I do think that women have an easier time imagining being men than men do about being women.

In our little Sanibel Island book club, we have been discussing lightening, and this question comes from Lindsay Peelman: “In your books, such as The Ice Queen and Practical Magic, the story centers on people who have survived or have lost loved ones killed by lightning strikes. Where do you get your inspiration to write about strike-effects?

Inspiration is very difficult to pinpoint because I think very often as an artist you don’t really know. But having said that, in my family weather was talked about a lot. Instead of talking about how we felt about things, we talked about the weather. My brother became a meteorologist, and his specialty from MIT is hurricanes, so there is this interest in weather in general. I think when I wrote The Ice Queen, I realized that a lightning strike is such a huge trauma and so mysterious and so hard to explain why it would strike some people and not others, why some people survive and some people don’t and I didn’t realize at the time I was writing about my own battle with cancer, my own survival issues, but writing about it through lighting. Because cancer is similar in that way, you don’t know when it’s going to strike you. Why does some person survive, why another person doesn’t. It’s so mysterious that way. Your books alternate sometimes from gritty real-life to fantasy. What do you attribute to your love of fantasy, or magical realism?

I grew up reading fairy tales and listened to my grandmother’s stories about Russia that seemed very magical. The things I wanted to read as a kid were about myths and magic and I also felt when I was reading fairy tales as a child that they were very true. Very often as a kid when I read books written for children I felt like they were talking down to me. But fairytales never talked down to a child. And when as a kid you read them you feel like this is how I really feel. I feel that reading Ray Bradbury and other fantasy and science fiction writers. When my parents got divorced, I was about eight years old, and the only thing my father left behind was a box of fantasy and science fiction books. So, for me, it was kind of a connection with him and the way I started reading fantasy and science fiction.

What are some highlights you can share with me that you will talk about at the Sanibel Writers Conference?

I think I’m going to talk about how I became a writer. There are a lot of people interested in publishing and I’m going to talk about that for awhile. I’m going to talk about my experience, which I don’t know if it’s unusual, but I think it is always good to hear how other people went about getting to a place you want to be at as well and how to become a published writer.

Regarding The Rules of Magic [the prequel to Practical Magic, to be published in October] why the prequel?

I had a lot of readers who felt it wasn’t finished and they wanted more of the story. And since Practical Magic I’ve thought a lot about those characters and I really wanted to go back to that world, but I think it’s very interesting to go backward to see what formed the current world.

They were good aunts [in Practical Magic]. They were just maybe a little misunderstood in the beginning, but they turned out for the reader.

Yeah, I felt like it would be really fun to see what forms them, what happened before them. I’m very interested in the history, the before, rather than the after.

In a 2006 interview with NPR, you said your favorite sentence would be the last line of Practical Magic: “Fall in love whenever you can.” Do you still believe that?

Yes. That is my favorite line. I kind of think the last line in The Rules of Magic comes close. That was my favorite last line because it really told the entire book’s story in a single line. Actually, I think the last line in The Rules of Magic is my favorite line now.

I guess we will need to read it to find out. •

Alice Hoffman will be the Keynote Speaker at Florida Gulf Coast University’s 12th Annual Sanibel Writer’s Conference, November 3 at 6pm. For information about the Sanibel Writers Conference, November 2-5, call 590-7421.

“I think people are taught to “write what you know.”

But a great writing professor I had said, “Write what you imagine.”

“I think that what you read when you are twelve, thirteen, and fourteen really influences you hugely and for me that was Ray Bradbury.”

Elias

by Andrew

Y ou were in bands for many years before you recently decided to go solo. What led to your decision to go solo?

I decided to go solo mostly out of convenience. Being in a band is a lot more gratifying because of the camaraderie and support but eventually the guys that I liked being in a band with were less and less available so I decided to just do my own thing.

Y ou’ve been told that you were ‘too country’ by record business executives. What did he/she mean?

Y eah. In fact, one guy told me, “You should’ve gotten here 25 years ago and we could’ve gotten your songs cut”. I guess they were looking for stuff different from what I write, which can admittedly be self indulgent and personal at times [laughing]. It’s been written that you might just be ‘the next big thing.’ What do you say about that? That’s an awfully nice thing for someone to write,

TA YLOR ALEXANDER burst onto the scene earlier this year with a stunning country version of Cher’s iconic pop hit, ‘Believe’ on this year’s television hit show, The Voice . He surprised the nation and impressed judge Adam Levine, who chose Taylor for his team. Alexander did not go on to win on The Voice , but the celebrity allowed him to pursue his own songwriting and afforded him the opportunity to record and tour.

I interviewed Alexander as he was preparing for his performances during the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel’s Island Hoppers Songwriting Fest. He will be performing in Fort Myers Beach on September 29 at Matanzas on the Beach, September 30 at Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill and Diamondhead Beach Resort’s Cabañas Beach Bar & Grille, and October 1 at

I’d love to buy them a beer!

Y ou were born in Flowery Branch, Georgia, but now live in Nashville. What was the best parts of life growing up in Flowery Branch? What’s life like being a songwriter in Nashville?

Y eah, I grew up in a few different places but probably spent the most time in the Flowery Branch area where I graduated high school and spent some pretty formative years, so I claim it as home. I enjoyed my time there for sure. It’s a quiet place full of kind people and great stories. I’ve been in Nashville now about three and a half years and it’s not always been easy, I’ve had a feast or famine experience, but I like a place where hustle can be rewarded and there’s a lot of great people here who are willing to help out. What was your main objective when writing for ‘Real Good at Saying Goodbye’? How was your experience recording it? My main goal for writing the EP was to record as many songs as I could afford that I felt best represented what I do as an artist. The experience itself was great I recorded with some friends of mine (Brendan St. Gelais and Zach Zinck) at The Smokestack [Studios] here in Nashville. I got some local players together (Tim Carrolguitar, Jess Perkinspedal steel, Cameron Carrusbass, Taylor Jonesdrums, Randy Harperkeys, and myself on acoustic guitar) and we cut all the songs live, except vocals, in one evening session and the three songs we completed became the EP. What can folks expect to hear when they come to see you perform at the Island Hoppers Songwriter Fest in Fort Myers? I’ll be playing songs most of which will appear on my next record which I hope to begin recording this year. •

Pinchers Crab Shack.

A NDREW : Y ou became a national celebrity when you ‘killed it’ with a surprising version of Cher’s hit ‘Believe’ during the Blind Audition on this year’s season of The Voice. What led to you doing that song? What’s the story behind that performance? TA YLOR: I actually started performing that arrangement several years ago when I was playing bars in Georgia. It was such a left field song choice that crowds loved it, so it seemed like the perfect audition song for The Voice . How did you feel when Adam Levine picked you? What did you learn from working with Levine? Getting chosen by Adam Levine was amazing. He really encouraged me to identify and then lean into what I do best and not try to be all things to all people. Who or what inspired you to start writing songs? Any mentors? Any favorite songwriters? I started writing songs when I was around 11 and was inspired by a lot of different kinds of music, but at the time mostly punk. I picked up acoustic guitar after I heard Dashboard Confessional for the first time, which helped me discover other acoustic-based music like Bob Dylan before finally rediscovering my love for traditional country music. Some of my favorite songwriters right now are Guy Clark, Townes V an Zandt, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams and T ravis Meadows. Do you have a particular process when writing — or, as Keith Richards has said, you “just happen to be in the room when the song arrives”? I guess I’d consider my writing process more like showing up to work than waiting for inspiration to strike. I try to sit down every day with my note pad and my guitar and work on songs. Who were your favorite singers and what about their vocals or style do you like? Some of my favorite country singers are Merle Haggard and George Jones. They were masters of emoting in a song without overdoing it.

A Life of Music

by Andrew Elias

Lou Reed A Life

by Anthony DeCurtis LITTLE, BROWN &COMPANY

Who better to examine and explore the complicated and remarkable life of Lou Reed, an artist with little use for rock critics, than his favorite music journalist, Anthony DeCurtis? A longtime friend, DeCurtis doesn’t rehash the outlandish myths and jaded misconceptions that surrounded Reed, but rather tells the story of a confused and creative middleclass boy who went from Long Island suburbia to New York City’s subterranean art scene to become one of the most influential artists in rock music and popular culture.

Reed needs no introduction, yet DeCurtis fills the book with great new stories and a touching insight into the human behind the star, the man behind the music. The book follows Lou’s career from Warhol to Metallica, and his personal relationships from David Bowie to Laurie Anderson. There is plenty here for the geek interested in Reed’s recordings and plenty for the rock fan looking for gossip. Somehow DeCurtis successfully balances the tedious tech talk with celebrity gossip.

A well-researched and well-written —and highly recommended — biography of one of the 20th Century’s most revered rock icons.

T Bone Burnett A Life in Pursuit

by Lloyd Sachs

UNIVERSITYOF TEXAS PRESS

T Bone just might be the most influential and important figure in America’s music scenes that you haven’t heard about. Few producers are more soughtafter — by musicians from B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos to Elvis Costello, Diana Krall and Elton John. He has also been the musical director of television shows, Nashville and Tr ue Detectives , and films O Brother, Where Art Thou? , Cold Mountain and The Hunger Games. He has won Grammys and an Oscar.

Acclaimed music jour nalist, Sachs looks at Burnett’s storied musical career, from the tall Texan’s earliest days in Los Angeles and Woodstock to his stint leading Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue to recent television and recording projects including Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes , where he asked a small group of young musicians (and Elvis Costello) to add music to long lost Bob Dylan lyrics written in Woodstock almost 50 years ago.

Although T Bone was not involved with the writing of this book, fans of Burnett’s will not be disappointed by the stories about the many musicians he’s worked with and the many recordings he’s made. And if you’re not a fan, you may just be impressed with the life of the man who is the undeclared King of Americana music.

So Much Things to Say The Oral History of Bob Marley

by Roger Steffens

W.W. NORTON & COMPANY

An exhaustive compilation of interviews with the people who knew Marley most intimately — Rita Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, bandmates, friends — talking about his childhood, his relationships, his music, his career, his religion and his politics. Reading Bunny Wailer’s meloncholy recollections of a young Bob (“Bob was not a child who get anything that he sought. He didn’t get what any other child got.”) shines a new light on the world-famous icon. Anecdotes like the one from Esther Anderson, Marley’s companion in the early 70s (“Bob wrote ‘Get Up Stand Up’ in 20 minutes on a flight from Haiti to Jamaica. I was teaching Bob how to be a rebel, based on what I learned from living with Marlon Brando.”) and Wailer guitarist, Al Anderson (“Prince Charles and Bob met briefly in a transit lounge. The Prince wanted to know where Bob got his sneakers.”) make the legend more human. Although arranged chronologically, it’s enjoyable no matter which page you open the book to. No critiquing of the music nor analyzing of the man here; just what the people who knew him best had to say about him. •

“Prince Charles and Bob met briefly in a transit lounge. The Prince wanted to know where Bob got his sneakers.”

The book follows Lou’s career from Warhol to Metallica, and his personal relationships from David Bowie to Laurie Anderson.

Hillman has released a strong new album featuring remakes of a few Byrds’ tunes from their earliest years.

New Americana

by Andrew Elias

Chris Hillman Bidin’ My Time ROUNDER RECORDS

Chris Hillman is one of those artists that you probably haven’t heard of but you’ve been enjoying his music for years. As a crucial member of The Byrds (with Roger McGuinn and David Crosby, Flying Burrito Brothers (with Gram Parsons), Manassas (with Stephen Stills), and Souther-Hillman-Furay Band (with JD Souther), Hillman was one of the founding fathers of what we now call Americana music, music that melds various strains of American music from country & western, folk, bluegrass, and southern rock & roll.

In recent years he has continued to make excellent music, partnering with Herb Pedersen in the Desert Rose Band, keeping true to his C&W and bluegrass roots. Hillman’s new release is a bit of a departure, revisiting the folk rock sound of The Byrds. And who better to produce the record than Tom Petty, whose own sound owes so much to that seminal rock band of the 60s?

With the aid of old pals David Crosby and Roger McGuinn, and long-time fans Petty and Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, as well as Pedersen and Desert Rose Band members, Hillman has released a strong new album featuring remakes of a few Byrds’ tunes from their earliest years (‘The Bells of Rhymney,’ ‘Here She Comes,’ ‘She Don’t Care About Me,’ ‘Old John Robertson’), Tom Petty’s hit ‘Wildflowers’ and The Everly Brothers’ classic, ‘Walk Right Back.’

Few artists in the rock & roll pantheon have had a more storied, successful or influential career as Hillman, who continues to forge ahead making new music as classy and comfortable as any of his past work.

Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer Not Dark Yet

SILVER CROSS RECORDS

To have Lynne and her sister Moorer join forces for an entire album is a dream come true for fans of either, and they will not be disappointed by their new collaboration. Each has a distinctive voice, yet both convey a combination of feminist strength and personal vulnerability, with Shelby tending to channel the bluesy sounds of Memphis a bit more and Allison leaning more towards the classic country music of Nashville.

In a collection of outstanding songs by the likes of

Merle Haggard (‘Silver Wings’), Townes

Van Zandt (‘Lungs’), Jason Isbell (‘The Color of a Cloudy Day’), Nick Cave (Into My Arms), and Bob Dylan (the title track), their cover of Kurt Cobain’s ‘Lithium’ may be the best of the bunch as well as the most surprising choice. Their emotional take on Jessi Colter’s ‘I’m Looking For Blue Eyes’ is another standout.

Jim Lauderdale

London Southern

SKY CRUNCH RECORDS

Oh, that velvety voice! Lauderdale’s soulful vocals and easygoing style are hard to resist, and coupled with some of the strongest songwriting of his long career (it’s his 29th album), London Southern is some of his best work to date. The Nashville veteran teams up here with British rock legend, Nick Lowe’s band, and whether it be the horn-enhanced soul of ‘ICan’t Do Without You,’ the gospel influenced ‘What Do You Have to Lose?,’ the jazzy blues of ‘If I Can Resist,’ the honky tonk fun of ‘Don’t Shut Me Down,’ or the melancholy ballad, ‘I Love You More,’ Lauderdale has put together a collection of original songs with a groove that’s as easy to enjoy as listening to his distinctively gorgeous singing.

Justin Townes Earle

Kids In The Street

NEW WEST RECORDS

Things have recently gotten very real for Earle, and if this album is any indication of how he hopes to meet his new life’s demands — sobriety, marriage, impending fatherhood —he should have nothing to worry about. At the very least, he’s making the best music of his life. With the experience and confidence of six albums behind him, Earle tackles rockin’ rockabilly (‘Champagne Corolla’), heartbreaking honky tonk (‘What’s She Crying For?’), jazzy swing (‘What’s Goin’ On’), New Orleans’ R&B (‘15-25’), and bluesy soul (‘There Goes A Fool’) with the same songwriting prowess and sense of fun.

Earle has a way of being both of the country and comfortably urban, thoroughly modern and somewhat old-timey, a serious social commentator and a good-humored balladeer. Perhaps that is why he can embrace so many and varied musical genres to convey his maturing personal angst and world view. His best album to date and a foreshadowing of better things to come. •

Lauderdale, a Nashville veteran, teams up here with Nick Lowe’s band.

Earle has a way of being both of the country and comfortably urban, thoroughly modern and somewhat old-timey, a serious social commentator and a good-humored balladeer.

BROADWAY PALM

1380 Colonial Boulevard • FORT MYERS

239-278-4422 broadwaypalm.com

BOX OFFICE OPEN DAILY. SHOWS: TUE-SUNEVES & SELECTEDMATINEES

Broadway Palm is Southwest Florida's Premier Dinner Theatre and proudly celebrating their 25th Anniversary Season! The theatre features the best of Broadway, combining favorite shows of the past with the most recent musical hits. Broadway Palm features nationally selected performers, dazzling sets and costumes, and a live orchestra. Also check out the Off Broadway Palm, Broadway Palm Children's Theatre, special engagements and the annual Concert Series.

CALUSA NATURE CENTER & PLANETARIUM

3450 Ortiz Avenue •FORT MYERS 239-275-3435 calusanature.org

MON-SAT 10AM-4PM & SUN 11AM-4PM

Private, non-profit environmental education center on 105 acre site with museum, nature trails, the only Planetarium in South Florida, butterfly and bird aviaries, woodland pavilion, and meeting and picnic areas. Exhibits and displays address Southwest Florida's natural history and native Calusa culture as well as current environmental issues. Educational programs offer close views of resident mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects. Trails and planetarium are accessible.

CAPE CORAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM

544 Cultural Park Boulevard • CAPE CORAL 239-772-7037 capecoralhistoricalmuseum.org

WED-FRI 11AM-4PM & SAT 10AM-2PM

The Cape Coral Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the unique history of Cape Coral. Take a tour of their beautiful campus surrounded by all-native Florida Gardens. Learn about the Native Americans, how Homesteaders worked and lived, and how this waterfront wonderland came to be.

CENTERSFORTHEARTSBONITASPRINGS

VISUAL ARTS: 26100 Old 41 Rd • BONITA SPRINGS

PERFORMING ARTS:10150BonitaBeachRd•BONITASPRINGS 239-495-8989

artcenterbonita.org

Two Centers - One Mission: Arts for All. The Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs is committed to enrich the culture of our diverse community by providing opportunities for artistic expression, education and appreciation in a supportive and nurturing environment. Center for Visual Arts offers instruction in: glass, painting, dance, drawing, sculpture, metal, acting, singing & photography and local and national exhibitions. The Center for Performing Arts offers: lectures, theater, music, comedy, films and dance performances.

COLLIER MUSEUM at Government Center

3331 Tamiami Trail E • NAPLES

239-252-8476

CollierMuseums.com

MON-SAT 9AM-4-PM

Collier Museum at Government Center offers exhibits and galleries that capture the full panorama of local history. The main gallery offers over 10,000 square feet of displays, plus a traveling exhibit room, lecture hall, native gardens, restored Naples cottages, archaeology lab, Seminole village, Calusa Indian camp, and more! Admission free.

ENGLEWOOD ART CENTER

Ringling College of Art + Design

350 South McCall Road • ENGLEWOOD 941-474-5548

ringling.edu/eac

TUE 9AM-9PM, WED-SAT 9AM-4PM, CLOSED SUN & MON

The Englewood Art Center’s seasonal theme ‘Weathering the Waves of Change,’ features a spectacular line up of classes, workshops, exhibitions, and events emphasizing how creative change can have a positive impact. EAC invites artists, art enthusiasts, and anyone interested to join their creative community for the 2017-2018 season.

EVERGLADES DAY SAFARI

convenient pickups throughout SW Florida 239-472-1559

ecosafari.com

DAILY 7:30AM-5PM

Everglades Day Safari provides naturalist-guided eco-safaris into the Everglades. Each tour includes an alligator airboat ride, wildlife drive, nature walk, mangrove wilderness boat ride and southern lunch. The best way to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of America's greatest wetland is to go with those who know it best.

FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE

2267 First Street • FORT MYERS 239-332-4488

floridarep.org

BOX OFFICE: MON-SAT 10AM-5PM, SHOWS: TUE-SUN SEPT-MAY

Celebrating 20 years, Florida Rep is a nationally recognized professional theatre serving Southwest Florida six days a week, September-May. Performances are in the Historic Arcade Theater in downtown Fort Myers’ River District. Named ‘One of America’s Top Repertory Companies’ by The Wall Street Journal

GOLISANO CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF NAPLES

15080 Livingston Road • NAPLES

239-514-0084

cmon.org

MON-SAT 10AM-5PM & SUN 11AM-4PM

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (C’mon) is a 38,000 square-foot brainbuilding powerhouse of interactive exhibits and activities. C’mon feeds hungry young minds with the building blocks of success called "executive function skills" while stimulating interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, math (S.T.E.A.M.) and culture. See the C’mon calendar at Cmon.org.

THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & Education Center of Southwest Florida

4760 Tamiami Trial N • suite 7 • NAPLES 239-263-9200

holocaustmuseumswfl.org

JAN-APR TUE-SUN 12:30PM-5PM, MAY-DEC TUE-SUN 1-4PM

Conveniently located on US 41 in Naples, Its mission is to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence. Over 175,000 students have participated in education programming since 2001. Museum houses a permanent collection of over 1,000 World War II and Holocaust artifacts and original photographs, special exhibits and events, daily Docent-led and self-guided tours.

IMAG HISTORY & SCIENCE CENTER

2000 Cranford Avenue • FORT MYERS 239-243-0043 theimag.org

TUE-SAT 10AM-5PM & SUN 12-5PM

Touch live sea life, engineer a creation, run through a rainstorm. IMAG provides hours of fun and entertainment for the entire family. Offering over 60 interactive exhibits for the entire family to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and the history of Southwest Florida. Enjoy touching live marine animals in our touch tanks; aquarium, Living Lab and more; daily live animal encounters; mini TV weather studio; Hall of History; 3-D movie, and much more.

A visit to IMAG nurtures intellectual curiosity, discovery, and innovation.

IMMOKALEE PIONEER MUSEUM at Roberts Ranch

1215 Roberts Avenue W • IMMOKALEE 239-658-2466 colliermuseums.com

MON-SAT 9AM-4-PM

Originally home to cattleman Robert Roberts and his family, this 13-acre historic site and museum features exhibits, programs, and fifteen original buildings that tell the story of cow hunters, ranchers and pioneer-spirited families who struggled to tame this vast wilderness prairie on the edge of the Big Cypress Swamp. Admission free.

MARCO ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM

180 S Heathwood Drive • MARCO ISLAND

239-642-1440

colliermuseums.com

MON-SAT 9AM-4-PM

Marco Island Historical Museum explores Southwest Florida’s Calusa Indians and brings this vanished civilization to life with displays and a recreated village scene. Temporary exhibits trace this island paradise from its early pioneer roots as a fishing village, pineapple plantation and clam cannery, through its explosive growth in the 1960s. Admission free.

MUSEUM OF THE EVERGLADES

105 W Broadway • EVERGLADES CITY

239-695-0008

colliermuseums.com

MON-SAT 9AM-4-PM

Opened in 1927 as a commercial laundry, Museum of the Everglades dates to a time when construction of the Tamiami Trail was underway and the settlement of Everglades served as the first County seat. Permanent and temporary exhibits feature an in-depth look at over 2,000 years of area history. Admission free.

NAPLES DEPOT MUSEUM

1051 5th Avenue S • NAPLES

239-262-6525

colliermuseums.com

MON-SAT 9AM-4-PM

Set in Naples’ first passenger train station, the restored Naples Depot Museum takes visitors back to Florida’s railroading heyday and tells how technology and transportation helped Naples grow from a village of 300 souls to today’s glittering Gulf Coast resort. Admission free.

THE NAPLES PLAYERS

701 5th Avenue South • NAPLES

239-263-7990

naplesplayers.org

BOX OFFICE: MON-FRI 10AM-4PM & SAT 10AM-1PM

Rated one of the 3 “Best Community Theaters in the Nation,” The Naples Players Sugden Community Theatre shines as a cultural gem in the center of Fifth Avenue’s world class shopping and dining. From dazzling musicals and comedies to thought provoking dramas, The Naples Players entertain with over 240 performances each year in 2 state of the art theaters. Performing arts classes are offered for adults and youth.

SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

27750 Old 41 Road • BONITA SPRINGS

239-949-0749

shangrilasprings.com

SPA ONLY: TUE-SUN 10AM-6PM

Surrounded by lush gardens, Shangri-La Springs Resort & Spa offers an organic restaurant, spa, gift shop, yoga center and more. The property is undergoing renovations, but the spa remains open for your enjoyment. Free monthly Art & Nature Community Night every second Wednesday, starting December 13.

THE SHELL FACTORY & NATURE PARK

2787 Tamiami Trail N • NORTH FORT MYERS

239-995-2141

shellfactory.com

DAILY 10AM-DUSK

Southwest Florida's #1 family entertainment destination. Spend a day with the whole family. Capt'n Fishbones Seafood Grill with two pet-friendly bars; 68,000 square foot retail store; Fun Park & Zip Line; Nature Park with over 450 unique animals. Visit brand new state-of-the-art video arcade. Visit website for details on family festivals and directions.

THEATREZONE

13275 Livingston Road • NAPLES

239-424-9500

theatrezone-florida.com

TheatreZone is a professional, Equity theatre presenting Broadway shows, concerts, a cabaret series and special events featuring performers from around the country. TheatreZone's season runs December through May, with matinee and evening shows, daytime cabarets, and behind-the-scenes tours. Performances in the G&L Theatre on the campus of the Community School of Naples.

VENICE THEATRE

140 West Tampa Ave • VENICE 941-488-1115

venicestage.com

MON-FRI 10AM-5PM, SAT 10AM-1PM, ONEHOURBEFORESHOWS

Located an hour north of Fort Myers, Venice Theatre is the second largest community theatre in the country. Their 68th Season features all types of musicals, comedies, dramas and concerts, including The Rocky Horror Show, The Santaland Diaries, Dreamgirls, The Capitol Steps, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Grapes of Wrath, Stuart Little and more. Mark your calendars for June 18-23, 2018 when they will once again host countries from around the globe at the International Community Theatre Festival (aactWorldFest).

SEPT 1 FRIDAY

•Art Reception: Art League of Fort Myers, 1451 Monroe St, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 275-3970.

•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-10p. Free. 337-5050.

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

•JP Soars & The Red Hots: Concert. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Julie Scoggins: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Marty Stokes Band: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at severalgalleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 610p.Free. 337-5050.

2 SATURDAY

•Fort Myers Miracle vs Jupiter Hammerheads: Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six MileCypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. 768-4210.

•Julie Scoggins: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Randy Houser: Concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 8p. 985-9839.

•The HipNauticals: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

•Ellen Bukstel, Bill Veach: Concert. Americana Community Music Assoc

Listening Room, All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 691-4069.

•Tommy Lee Cook, Rex Bongo & The Boys: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 6937111.

3

SUNDAY

•Fort Myers Miracle vs Jupiter Hammerheads: Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six MileCypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 11a. 768-4210.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 693-7111.

4

MONDAY

•Independent Film Screening & Discussion: Live music. Hosted Fort Myers Film Festival. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Cocktails 6p, film 7p, talk after film. 810-6323.

5

TUESDAY

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

6

WEDNESDAY

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Open Mic Night: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

7

THURSDAY

•Exhibition Reception: Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. 6-7p. Free. 642-1440.

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

•The HipNauticals: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

•Tycho’s Fool: Staged reading with Q & A. Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival. Norris Center, 755 5thAve S, Ft Myers. 8p. 866-811-4111.

8 FRIDAY

•About Love & Battles: Early Music Ensembleof Peru concert of. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU BlvdS, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 745-4268.

•Art Reception: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 939-2787.

•Exhibtion Opening: Mina Edison’s Moonlight Garden walk, art exhibit, gardening tips. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 2p. 334-7419.

•Hungarian Rhapsody: Staged reading with Q & A. Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival. Norris Center, 755 5thAve S, Ft Myers. 8p. 866-811-4111.

•James Yon: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Mike Imbasciani & The Bluez Rockerz: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

•Soulixer: Concert & beer tasting. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8p. 333-1933.

9 SATURDAY

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd, # 84, Ft Myers. 6-10p. Free. 590-8645.

•Bob Sima, Glen Sabatka: Concert. Americana Community Music Assoc Listening Room, All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 691-4069.

•Buried Under a Blackbird Sky: Staged reading with Q & A. Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival. Norris Center, 755 5thAve S, Ft Myers. 8p. 866-811-4111.

•Exhibition Reception: Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 1-3p. Free. 695-0008.

•Funkbone: Concert. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Gallery Walk & Talk: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 939-2787.

•Glam Bam Burlesque – For Peep’s Sake: Live music, dancing, burlesque. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8p. 333-1933.

•James Yon: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Naples Philharmonic Chamber Ensembles Concert: U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU BlvdS, Ft Myers. 4p. 745-4268.

•The Goldtones: Concert. Venice Theatre, 140 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 8p. 941-488-1115.

•Tommy Lee Cook, Rex Bongo & The Boys: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 6937111.

10

SUNDAY

•Auditions: Broadway Palm Children’s Theater’s For A Christmas Story. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 1p. 278-4422.

FGCUpresents ‘About Love & Battles,’ a concert of Peruvian music by the Early Music Ensemble of Pontifical Catholic U of Peru, on September 8 in U Tobe Recital Hall, on the FGCUcampus in Fort Myers. For information, call 745-4268.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 693-7111.

•Sherlock Holmes & the Adventure of the Elusive Ear: Staged reading with Q & A. Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival. Norris Center, 755 5thAve S, Ft Myers. 8p. 866-811-4111.

11 MONDAY

•Auditions: ActorsFor Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage. Venice Theatre, 140 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 7:30p. 941-484-4033.

•Second Saturday: SoCo Cultural District galleries, theaters, shops along Colonial Blvd, McGregor Blvd, Royal Palm Sq Blvd, Summerlin Rd. Ft Myers. 510p. Free. 877-9878.

13 WEDNESDAY

•Museum Nights - Tapas & Transit: Short film, wine, tapas. Naples Depot Museum:1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. 6:30-8:30p. 2626525.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 6-8p. 275-3435.

14 THURSDAY

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

•Miss Keller Has No Second Book: Staged reading with Q & A. Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival. Norris Center, 755 5thAve S, Ft Myers. 8p. 866-811-4111.

•Wendy Wischer - Ecological Syntax: Lecture. FGCU Cohen Center, rm 247, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. 5p. Free. 590-7199.

15 FRIDAY

•Grandma Lee: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Miss Keller Has No Second Book: Staged reading with Q & A. Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival. Norris Center, 755 5thAve S, Ft Myers. 8p. 866-811-4111.

•Music Walk: Live music & dancing at several cafes, clubs &galleries. Downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 6-10p. Free. 855732-3836.

•Wilder Sons: Concert & beer tasting. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8p. 333-1933.

16

SATURDAY

•Back to Chicago: Chicago tribute band concert & dinner. SWFL Event Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 2459910.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

whatGoeson

•Marty Stokes Band: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

•Myke Herlhey: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

7

SATURDAY

•Brother Love: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

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

•Florida Everblades vs Orlando Solar Bears: Preseason game. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Grant Peeples, Joe Virga: Concert. Americana Community Music Assoc Listening Room, All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 691-4069.

•Marbin: Concert. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Myke Herlhey: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Tommy Lee Cook, Rex Bongo & The Boys: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 36p. Free. 693-7111.

SUNDAY

•Naples Philharmonic: Wang Chamber Music Series. Artis-Naples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 3p. 5971900.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 693-7111.

TUESDAY

•Naples Philharmonic: Sypert Salon Series.ArtisNaples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 3p. 597-1900.

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

WEDNESDAY

•Naples Philharmonic Chamber Ensembles Concert: U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU BlvdS, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 745-4268.

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

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Sierra Club Calusa Group Meeting: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 6-8p. 275-3435.

THURSDAY

•Deb & The Dynamics: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

Sanibel. 10a-3p. Free. 4722483.

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd, # 84, Ft Myers. 6-10p. Free. 590-8645.

•Danika Holmes & Jeb: Concert. Americana Community Music Assoc Listening Room, All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 691-4069.

•Don Mclean: Concert. SWFL Event Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 8p. 245-9910.

•Florida Everblades vs Atlanta Gladiators: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 9487825.

•Gallery Walk & Talk: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 939-2787.

•GR Goodwin: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

Colonial Blvd, McGregor Blvd, Royal Palm Sq Blvd, Summerlin Rd. Ft Myers. 510p. Free. 877-9878.

•The HipNauticals: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

•Tommy Lee Cook, Rex Bongo & The Boys: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 6937111.

15

Planatantion Rd, Ft Myers. 3p. Free. 745-4268.

•Naples Philharmonic: Sypert Salon Series.ArtisNaples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 3p. 597-1900.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 693-7111.

16

SUNDAY

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Family Fun Day. Eco-activities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking, etc.. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 8a-6p. Free. 472-1100.

•Art Reception: Englewood Art Center, 350 S. McCall Rd, Englewood. 2-4p. Free. 941-474-5548.

Sanibel. 8a-6p. Free. 4721100.

18

MONDAY

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Let’s Go On a Hike Day. Eco-activities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking, etc. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 8a-6p. Free. 472-1100.

17

WEDNESDAY

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Bees & Butterflies Day. Ecoactivities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking, etc.

‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 8a6p. Free.472-1100.

•Ft Myers History on Film, 1930s & 1940s – An Evening with Billy Nalle: Rare footage narrated by local historian. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.

TUESDAY

•GR Goodwin: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233. 13

•Second Saturday: SoCo Cultural District galleries, theaters, shops along

FRIDAY

•Florida Everblades vs Atlanta Gladiators: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 9487825.

•GR Goodwin: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Imbasciani & The Bluez Rockerz: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

•Rusty Wright Band: Concert. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Chamber & University Concert: New Hope Presbyterian Church, 10051

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Beach & Water Day. Eco-activities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking, etc. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1Wildlife Dr,

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Open Mic Night: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 4795233.

•Ringling Int’l Arts Festival Opening Night:

•Scarecrows in the Park: Lakes Park Fall Festival. Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr, 10a-4p. Ft Myers. 5337575. 14

SATURDAY

•Art on the Veranda: Sanibel Captiva Art League show & sale. Bailey’s General Store, 2477 Periwinkle Way,

The HipNauticals play at Bert’s Bar &Grill in Matlacha every other Thursday & Saturday nights. Call 282-3232 for information.

what Goes on

EnsemblenewSRQ - Wanted. Ringling Museum of Art courtyard,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 6:30-10p. 941359-5700.

19

THURSDAY

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Calusa Day. Eco-activities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking, etc. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 8a6p. Free. 472-1100.

•Art Reception: Center for the Arts Bonita Springs, 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs.6-8p. Free. 4958989.

•Audubon of SWFL Meeting: 10868 Metro Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6p. Free. 410-6971.

•EnsemblenewSRQ – The Space Around You: Concert. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Turrell Skyspace, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941-360-7399.

•Eventi VerticaliWanted: Aerial acrobatics & computer graphics.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. West Courtyard, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 8p. 941-360-7399.

•James McGinn & Again –Ing and Die: Dance troupe from Belgium.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 8p. 941-360-7399.

•Monica Bill Barnes & Company – Happy Hour: Dance troupe.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Circus Museum backyard, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941-360-7399.

•Naples Philharmonic: Shotstakovich.ArtisNaples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 8p. 597-1900.

•Nobuntu: Acappella group from Zimbabwe.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, 2p. 941-360-7399.

•Portraits in Motion: Photography presentation. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941-3607399.

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

•The HipNauticals: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

•White Rabbit Red Rabbit: Drama.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Circus Museum backyard, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2 & 8p. 941-360-7399.

20 FRIDAY

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Duck Stamp Day. Eco-activities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking,

etc. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 8a-6p. Free. 472-1100.

•Boo at the Zoo: Trick-ortreating, costume contest. Naples Zoo, 1590 GoodletteFrank Rd, Naples. 10a-4p. Kids in costume free. 2625409.

•Comepletely Unchained: Van Halen tribute band concert & dinner. SWFL Event Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Dinner 5:30, concert 7:30p. 245-9910.

•EnsemblenewSRQ - The Magical World of Berio’s Sequenzas: Concert. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Huntington Gallery, Ringling Museum of Art,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2p. 941360-7399.

•EnsemblenewSRQ - The Space Around: Concert. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Huntington Gallery, Ringling Museum of Art,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941360-7399.

•Eventi Verticali - Wanted: Aerial acrobatics & computer graphics.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. West courtyard, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 8p. 941-3607399.

•James McGinn & Again

Ing an Die: Dance troupe from Belgium.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941-360-7399.

•John Nemeth: Concert. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 693-7111.

•Monica Bill Barnes & Company

Happy Hour: Dance troupe.Ringling Int’l

•Boo at the Zoo: Trick-ortreating, costume contest. Naples Zoo, 1590 GoodletteFrank Rd, Naples. 10a-4p. Kids in costume free. 2625409.

•EnsemblenewSRQ - The Magical World of Berio’s Sequenzas: Concert. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Huntington Gallery, Ringling Museum of Art,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2 & 5p. 941-360-7399.

•Family Day - Art of Performance: 10a-5p. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Ca’ d’Zan, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 10a-5p. 941-360-7399.

•Ft Myers Comic Fest: Workshops, games, karaoke, presentations, speakers, costume parade, live music, storytimes. Ft Myers Library & Cornog Plaza, 2450 1st St, Ft Myers. 124p. Free. Register.

•Gulf Coast Writers Assoc Meeting: Guest speaker. Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd, Ft Myers. 10a12p. Free. 247-4515.

Scavenger hunt, face painting, hayrides, games, arts & crafts, kids’ Halloween movies. Immokalee Pioneer Museum,1215 Roberts Ave, Immokalee. 10a-3p. Free. 658-2466.

•Rich Shultis: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Ringling Int’l Arts Festival

Last Night: Music & dancing.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 7-10p. 941-941-359-5700.

•Rocky Horror Picture Show: Outdoor screening. Bring lawn chairs & blankets. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 939-2787.

•The HipNauticals: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 6937111.

•The Temptations and The Four Tops: Artis-Naples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

23 MONDAY

•Staged Reading: TBA. Laboratory Theater of Florida,1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 7p. 218-0481.

24 TUESDAY

•La La Land in Concert: Film with Naples Philharmonic. Artis-Naples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 8p. 5971900.

25 WEDNESDAY

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

Arts Festival. Circus Museum backyard, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5 & 8p. 941-360-7399.

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

•Naples Philharmonic: Shotstakovich.ArtisNaples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 8p. 597-1900.

•Nobuntu: Acappella group from Zimbabwe.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 8p. 941-3607399.

•Portraits in Motion: Photography presentation. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2p. 941-3607399.

•Rich Shultis: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•The Copper Tones: Concert & beer tasting. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.

•White Rabbit Red Rabbit: Drama.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Circus Museum backyard, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2p. 941-360-7399.

21 SATURDAY

•‘Ding’ Darling Days: Conservation Art Day. Ecoactivities for all ages, tram tours, wildlife presentations, crafts, puppet shows, birding, kayaking, etc. ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. 8a-6p. Free. 472-1100.

•Hank Woji & Eileen Kozloff, Bob Williams: Concert. Americana Community Music Assoc Listening Room, All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 691-4069.

•James McGinn & Again: Dance troupe from Belgium. Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941-3607399.

•Monica Bill Barnes & Company – Happy Hour: Dance troupe.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Circus Museum backyard, The Ringling,5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5p. 941-360-7399.

•Nobuntu: Acappella group from Zimbabwe.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2p. 941-360-7399.

•Pioneer Pumpkin Palooza:

•Tommy Lee Cook, Rex Bongo & The Boys: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 6937111.

•White Rabbit Red Rabbit: Drama.Ringling Int’l Arts Festival. Circus Museum backyard, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 2p. 941-360-7399.

22 SUNDAY

•Backyard Family Bash: Family activities, live music by local bands, food. Bring lawn chairs & blankets. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 11a-5p. Free. 939-2787.

•Boo at the Zoo: Trick-ortreating, costume contest. Naples Zoo, 1590 GoodletteFrank Rd, Naples. 10a-4p. Kids in costume free. 2625409.

•Brother Love: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7p. 282-3232.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd,

•Florida Everblades vs Indy Fuel: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.

•Laugh In Line Up: 6 comics. Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

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

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

26 THURSDAY

•Deb & The Dynamics: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival Opening Night Film & Party: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. VIP red carpet 5:30p, film 7p, Q & A 8:30, afterparty 9p.775-3456.

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

27 FRIDAY

•Florida Everblades vs Indy Fuel: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7:30p. 948-7825.

•Gulfshore Tenors: Gulfshore Opera. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Byshore Rd, Naples. 7p. 529-3925.

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

•Imbasciani & The Bluez Rockerz: Bert’s Bar & Grill,4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 7:30p. 282-3232.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival: Film screenings & panel discussions.Silverspot Cinemas, Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl, Naples. 7753456.

Don Mclean performs at the Southwest Florida Event Center in Bonita Springs on October 14. Call 245-9910 for information.

Naples Botanical Garden presents ‘A Blessing of Animals,’ an outdoor sculpture exhibition, October 1-30. For information, call 643-7275.

•Ron Feingold: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•The Late Ones: Concert & beer tasting. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 333-1933.

•The Servant of Two

Masters: FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 590-7268.

•Wind Orchestra & Symphonic Band Concert: Eagle Family Expo, Holmes Plaza, FGCU campus. 8p. Free. 745-4268.

•Art Reception: BIG ARTS Center, 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. 5:30-7p. Free. 3950900.

28

SATURDAY

•Backyard Bluesfest: Jeff Jensen Band, Tommy Lee Cook & The Heathens with Panache. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 2-11p. 693-7111.

•Florida Everblades vs Indy

Fuel: Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero. 7p. 948-7825.

•Halloween Concert: Naples Ballet with Naples Philharmonic. Artis-Naples, 5833Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 4p. 597-1900.

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

•Naples Int’l Film Festival Saturday Night Tribute: Location TBA. 775-3456.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival: Film screenings & panel discussions.Silverspot Cinemas, Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl, Naples. 7753456.

•Ron Feingold: Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•The Servant of Two

Masters: FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers.

7:30p. 590-7268.

•Wizard of Tarpon Point: Comedy. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 8p. 7725862.

•Das Avatar: BB Mann Hall, 13350 Edison Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 481-4849.

29 SUNDAY

•Bluegrass Concert: Bands TBA. Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 2p. 939-2787.

•Buddy Returns: Buddy Holly tribute. Venice Theatre, 140 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 8p. 941-488-1115.

•Chicago: Concert.Suncoast Arena, 13351 FSW Pkwy. Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

•Halloween Ghost Train & Murder Mystery: The Not So Great Train Robbery. Dinner, show & costume contest. Murder Mystery Dinner Train Theater, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 5:30p. 275-8487.

•Hogwarts Halloween: Gulf Coast Symphony concert, costume contest, kids activities BB Mann Hall, 13350 Edison Pkwy, Ft Myers. Reception 1p, concert 2p.277-1700.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival Closing Night Film & Wrap Party: Silverspot Cinemas, Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl, Naples.Preparty 5:30, awards 6:30, film 7p, Q & A: 8:30, party 9, concert 10p. 775-3456.

•Naples Int’l Film Festival: Film screenings & panel discussions.Silverspot Cinemas, Mercato, 9118 Strada Pl, Naples. 7753456.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Free. 6937111.

•The Servant of Two

Masters: FGCU TheatreLab. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 2p. 590-7268.

30 MONDAY

•Buddy Returns: Buddy Holly tribute. Venice Theatre, 140 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 8p. 941-488-1115.

•So You Think You Can Dance: BB Mann Hall, 13350 Edison Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

ongoing theater

•Beehive - the 60s Musical: Sep 28-Oct 22. Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Brooklyn Boys Revue: Oct 13-22. Cultural Park Theater 528 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 772-5862.

•Buyer & Seller: Oct 6-15. Theatre Conspiracy. Foulds Theatre, Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 936-3239.

•Curious George and the Golden Meatball: Oct 20Nov 13. Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Groovin’ - the 60s & 70s Musical: Sep 7-Oct 7. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•It’s My Funeral: thru Sep 3: Sun, Wed, Thu.Seminole Gulf Railway Murder Mystery Dinner Train,2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Maples & Vine Ripcord: Oct 25-Nov 19. The Naples Players. Tobye Studio, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Murder on the Scottish Line: thru Nov 18: Fri & Sat.Seminole Gulf Railway Murder Mystery Dinner

Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 590-7268.

•Veronica’s Room: Oct 20Nov 4. Staged Reading. Laboratory Theater of Florida,1634Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•You Can’t Take It With You: Sep 26-Oct 15. Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-488-1115.

THEATERS

•BIG ARTS Strauss Theater: 2200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 395-0900.

•Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre: Sep 7-Oct 7: Groovin’ - the 60s & 70s Musical; Oct 12-Nov 19: Pippin. 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers.278-4422.

•Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre: Oct 20-Nov 13: Curious George & the Golden Meatball. 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

Train,2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Outside Mullingar: Sep 19Oct 22. Artstage Studio Theatre. Florida Repertory Theatre,2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

• ’night Mother: Oct 20-Nov 5.The Studio Players, Joan Jenks Auditorium, Golden Gate Community Center, 5701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples. 389-9192.

•Paradise: Oct 14-20. Gulfshore Playhouse, Norris Center, 755 5th Ave S, Naples. 866-811-4111.

•Pippin: Oct 12-Nov 19. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Sex Please, We’re Sixty - An American Farce: Oct 25-Nov 12. Marco Players. Marco Players Theater, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 642-7270.

•She Kills Monsters: Oct 11Nov 5. The Naples Players. Blackburn Hall, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Sordid Lives: Sep 15-30. Laboratory Theater of Florida,1634Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Sylvia: Oct 24-Nov 15. Arcade Theatre. Florida Repertory Theatre,2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Tarzan: Sep 8-17. Cultural Park Theater 528 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. 7725862.

•The Not So Great Train Robbery: Sep 6-Nov 23: Sun, Wed, Thu.Seminole Gulf Railway Murder Mystery Dinner Train,2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•The Odd Couple - Female Version: Sep 21-Oct 29. Off Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Oct 27, 28, 31. Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•The Servant of Two Masters: Oct 27-Nov 5. FGCU TheatreLab.FGCU

•Art League of Fort Myers: 1451 Monroe St, Ft Myers. Sep 1-29: Autumn Beauty; Oct 6-27: Spooktacular. Free open painting Wed 9:30-12p. Tue-Sat 11a-3p & 6-9p 1st Fri of month. Free. 2753970.

•Arts For ACT Gallery: 2265 First St, Ft Myers. Sep 1-Oct

3: Tom Nagata, Patrick Conolly. Oct 6-30: Arts for ACT art for fine art auction. Mon-Sat 11a-4:30p, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fri 11a-10p. Call for Sat hrs. Free. 337-5050.

•FGCU TheatreLab: Oct 27-

Nov 5: The Servant of Two Masters. FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 590-7268.

•Florida Repertory Theatre: Arcade Theatre — Oct 24-

Nov 15: Sylvia. Artstage Studio Theatre —Sep 19-Oct 22: Outside Millingar. 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Off Broadway Palm Theatre: Sep 21-Oct 29: The Odd Couple - Female version. 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•The Naples Players: Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. Oct 11-Nov 5: She Kills Monsters; Oct 25-Nov 19: Maple & Vine Ripcord. 263-7990.

•TheatreZone: G & L Theatre, Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Rd, Naples. 888-966-3352.

•Venice Theatre: Sep 26-Oct 15: You Can’t Take It With You; Sep 28-Oct 22: Beehive - the 60s Musical; Oct 27-31: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 140 W. Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-488-1115.

art galleries

•Alliance for the Arts: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Sep 8-30: Fired Up; Oct 6Nov 4: Your Best Shot. MonFri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-1p. Free. 939-2787.

•Another Time: 1414 Dean St, Ft Myers. Daily 11a-6p; Fri & Sat 11a-8p. Free. 6724607.

•Arsenault Studio & Banyan Arts Gallery: 1199 3rd St, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Thu-Sat 10a-7p, Sun 1-5p. Free. 263-1214.

•Art Council of Southwest Florida Co-Op Gallery: Coconut Point Mall, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. thru Sep 29: Autumn Beauty; Oct 6-27: Spooktacular. Sep: Thu-Sat 11a-4p & Sun 12-5p; OctApr: Tue- Sun 11a-5p. Free. 267-3049.

•Baker Museum: ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. thru Sep 27: Inside the Outside, Sep 5Jan 7: Arik LevyUnnatural History; Sep 5Oct 29: Schrenk Student Photography; Oct 20-Jan 31: French Moderns; Oct 20-Jan 31: Expressions - Matisse & Modern Art; thru Jul 18: Dawn’s Forest; thru Jul 22: Languages of Art. Tue-Sat 10a-4p & Sun 12-4p. 5971900.

•Beth Sistrunk Fine Art: 5760 Shirley St, # 15, Naples. Tue & Thu 1-4p. Free. 293-4904.

•Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery: 4332 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Sun & Mon 10a5p, Tue-Sat 10a-7p. Free. 283-1335.

•BIG ARTS: 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Oct 3-Nov 25: Int’l Society of Experimental Artists. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 395-0900. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 395-0900.

•Bob Rauschenberg Gallery: FSW State College, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. thru Nov 11: Fluzusic/Fluxus Music. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 11a-3p. Free. 489-9313.

•Cape Coral Art League: 516 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Oct 5-31: Slice of Life. Meetings 1st Mon 9am. Open painting Wed 1-4p. Mon-Thu 11a-4p Sep-May. Free. 772-5657.

•Cape Coral Arts Studio: 4533 Coronado Pkwy in Rubicond Park, Cape Coral. Sep 1-28: Aquarium; Oct 626: Alicia Schmidt. Mon-Fri 9a-4:30p. Free. 574-0802.

•Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Oct

6-Nov 16: Ted De Clercq; Oct 19-Dec 17: Amster, Ferrich & Giannini. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 1-5p. Free. 495-8989.

•Clark Art Studio: Mercato, 9155 Strada Place, #5155, Naples. Mon-Sat 11a-9p & Sun 1-9p. Free. 616-2601533.

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

•Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio: 237 Warfield Ave, Venice. TueFri 10a-4:30p. Free. 4860811.

•DAAS Co-op Art Gallery: Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd, # 84, Ft Myers. thru Sep 2: Erik

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers presents ’Pippin,’ October 12-November 19. For information, call 278-4422.

what Goes on

Schlake; Sep 9-30: Peace; Oct 7-28: tba;. Tue-Sat 10a6p. Free. 590-8645.

•Deborah Martin Art Studio: 5760 Shirley St, #14, Naples. Free. 518-791-0251.

•East West Fine Art: Bigham Galleria, 2425 Tamiami Tr N, #102, Naples. Sep 4-25: NY State of Mind; Oct 1630: Flight of the Bumble

Bee. Mon-Fri 11a-4p & Sat 11a-2p.Free. 821-9459.

•East West Fine Art: Mercato, 9115 Strada Pl, #5130, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-9p & Sun 12-6p. Free. 220-7503.

•Emily James Gallery: 720 5th Ave Sm # 111, Naples.

Tue-Sat 12-8p & Sun 12-5p. Free. 777-3283.

•Englewood Art Center: Ringling College of Art & Design, 350 S. McCall Rd, Englewood. Mitchell Gallery

Sep 6-Oct 12: Illuminations; Oct 15-Dec 10: Fight & Flight. Loranger Gallery —Sep 13-

Oct 7: Anything Goes; Oct 11-

Nov 10: Abstract. Mangrove

Gallery —Sep 6-Oct 6: Jenna

Saulo; Oct 11-Nov 10:

Direction & Destiny. Members

Gallery —Sep 6-Oct 7: Judy

Paris; Oct 11-Nov 11: Ginger

Hamilton. Tue 9a-9p & Wed-

Sat 9a-4p. Free. 941-4745548.

•Florida Gulf Coast University

Art Galleries: 10501 FGCU

Blvd S., Ft Myers. Main

Gallery —thru Sep 21: 20/20FGCU 20th Anniversary

Alumni Exhibition; Oct 13-

Nov 16: Barbra Balzer & Linda Hall. ArtLab — thru Sep 21: 20/20 - FGCU 20th

Anniversary Alumni

Exhibition; Oct 5-Nov 17: Stop & Listen - Environmental Awareness & Restoration.

Main Gallery in Arts Complex, ArtLab in Library.

Mon-Fri, 10a-4p & Thu 10a7p. Free. 590-7199.

•Fort Myers Beach Art

Association: 3030 Shell Mound, Ft Myers Beach. thru Oct 5: Summer show; Oct 19-Nov 2: Members group show. Oct-Apr MonSat 10a-3p & Sun 12-3p; May-Sep Wed & Thu 9a-12p. Free. 463-3909.

•Francoise-Marie Thein

Studio/Gallery: 5760 Shirley St, Naples. 405-4522.

•Gallery Vibe: 851 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples. xxxxxxx. 417-3450.

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

•Grand Illusion Gallery: 2443 First St, Ft Myers. Tue-Sat 10a-6p & Sat 11a-2p, 1st & 3rd Fri 6-10p, 1st Fri of month 10a-10p. Free.4617245.

•Guardians of The Everglades: 1719 Trade Center Way, # 3, Naples. Wed 2-7 & by appt. 4052010.

•Guess-Fisher Gallery: 1187 8th St S, Naples. Mon-Thu 12-5p, Fr & Sat 12-9p, Sun 1-5p. Free. 263-3417.

•Harbour View Gallery: 5789

Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. Sep: Sally Schmett, Marc Geldon; Oct: Judi

Fuchs, Francine Gerson. Daily 11a-8p, closed Mon

Jun-Sep. Free. 540-5789.

•Harmon-Meek Gallery: 599 9th St N, #309, Naples.

Mon-Fri 10a-5p Nov-Apr.

Free. 261-2637.

•Harmon-Meek Modern: 382

12th Ave S, Naples. Tue-Sat 12-5p Nov-Jul. Free. 2612637.

•Hirdie-Girdie Art Gallery: 2490 Library Way, Sanibel.

Nov-Apr: Mon-Sat 10a-5p.

Free. 395-0027.

•Howl Gallery/Tattoo: 4160 Cleveland Ave, Ft. Myers.

Mon-Thu 11a-8p, Fri & Sat

12-10p,1st Sat of month 711p. Free. 332-0161.

•HW Gallery: 1305 Third St S, Naples. Daily 10a-5p. Free. 263-6640.

•Iona Art Gallery: 16681 McGregor Blvd, #301, Ft Myers. Tue-Sat 10a-4p.

Free. 246-5826.

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

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

•Island Visions: 4643 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Daily 10a-5p. Free. 282-0452.

•Jo-Ann Sanborn Sunshine Studios of Marco Island: The Esplanade, 760 N Collier Blvd, #102, Marco Island. Nov-Apr: Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat 10a-2p; May-

Oct: Wed-Fri 10am-5pm & & Sat 10a-2p. Free. 404-9179

•John Ebling Veteran Art Gallery: American Legion Post #38, 1837 Jackson St, Ft Myers. Free. 332-1853.

•Kathleen Bradford Studio/Gallery: 4259 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs.

Oct-MayTue-Sat 11a-5p, Jun-Sep by appt. Free. 7766844.

•Lovegrove Gallery & Garden: 4637 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha.Oct-Jun:

Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 11a4p; Jul-Sep: Mon & Thu-Sat 11-5p, Sun 12-4p.Free. 2836453.

•Marc Harris Wildlife & Fine Art Photography Gallery: 1401 Lee St, #B, Ft Myers. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 12-4p. Free. 789-7027.

•Marco Island Center for the Arts: 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. Tue-Sat 9a4p. Free. 394-4221.

•Marianne Friedland Gallery: 359 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 10-5p.

Free. 262-3484.

•Museum of the Everglades: 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. Sep 1-Nov 11: A Heart for Alligators - Jurg ‘George’ Furrer retrospective. Tue-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-4p. Free. 695-0008.

•Museum of the Islands: 5728 Sesame, Pine Island Center. Nov-Apr: Tue-Sat 11a-3p & Sun 1-4p; May-Oct: Tue, Thu, Sat 11a-3p. 2831525.

•Naples Art Association: 585 Park St, Naples. thru Sep 29: Your Choice; Oct 4-26: ARTSchool exhibit; Oct 10-

Nov 2: A Splash of Blue; Oct 16-28: It’s Elemental; Oct 20-May 30: Mon-Sat 10a4p; Jun 1-Oct 16: Mon-Fri 10a-4p. Free. 262-6517.

•Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. thru Oct 28: Sites & ScenesCollier County’s Historic Places. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 262-6525.

•Ocasiocasa Art Studio: 10051 McGregor Bvd, Edwards Bldg, #201. Sat 10a-2p, 2nd Sat 5-10p. 6918292.

•Ollie Gentry Mack Photography Studio & Gallery: 2180 W 1st St, #210, Ft. Myers. Tue-Sat 10a-6p & 1st Fri 10a-10p. Free. 332-1295.

•Phil Fisher Gallery: 810 12th Ave S, Naples. MonThu 11a-5p, Fri & Sat 11a-9p. Free. 403-8393.

•Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery: 375 Broad Ave S, Naples. 261-4300.

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

•Ringling College of Art + Design Galleries: Ringling College of Art + Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Thompson Gallery (Keating Center) — thru Sep 22: Jeffrey A CornwellPaintings; Oct 20-Dec 2: Freedom of the Presses. Stulberg Gallery (Basch Center) — thru Oct 4: Ringling College Faculty exhibit; Oct 16-Dec 8: General Motors Design exhibit. Willis Smith Gallery — Oct 20-Dec 2: Collaboratory Exhibition. Sep-Apr Mon-Sat 10a-4p; May-Aug Mon-Fri 10a-4p. Free. 941-359-7563.

•Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Sep 22-Jan 14: Extraordinary Animals; Oct 8-Jan 21: Aftermath - The Fallout of War; Nov 5-Jan 21: Approaching the Border; Nov 18-Mar 18: Eisenstaedt

Photographs; thru Sep 10: Eternal Offerings - Chinese Ritual Bronzes; thru Oct 15: Skyway - A Contemporary Collection; thru Oct 29: Posed - Portrait Photography; thru Nov 30: Last 5 Years of Art of Our Time. Circus Museum thru Sep 11: Amazing Acts of The Greatest Show on Earth. Bayfront Gardensthru Jun 1: Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. Gardens of Ringling Guided Tour: Thu 10:30a. Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.

•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. thru Sep 15: Lee Hammond; Sep 20-Nov 3: Giants of the Everglades. Free. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. 5305940.

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old US 41, Bonita Springs. 2nd Wed: Community Art & Nature Night 6-9p. Mon-Fri 9a-4p, Sat & Sun 10a-3p. Free. 949-0749.

•Sheldon Fine Art: 460 Fifth Ave S, Naples. 10a-10p. Free. 649-6255.

•Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center: 2301 First St, Ft Myers. Sep 1-26: City Art Grant Winners; Oct 6-31: Jet Victory - My Robo Life, Dark Art. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & 6-9p & 1st Fri of month. Free. 337-1933.

•Space 39 Art Bar & Lounge: 39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Tue-Sat 5:30close. Free. 204-9949.

•Sweet Art Gallery: 2100-A Trade Center Way, Naples. Nov-AprMon-Fri 10a-5p, 1st Wed 5-8p, 3rd Fri 6-8p, Sat by appt; May-Oct Mon-Fri 11a-4p & Sat by appt. Free. 597-2110.

•SWFL Int’l Airport: 11000 Terminal Access Rd, Ft Myers. thru Jul 2018. Art in Flight - By the Sea. 939-2787.

•The Artist’s Gallery: 6240 Shirley St, #104, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat by appt. Free. 596-5099.

•The Lady from Haiti: 110 10th St N, Naples. Oct-May Mon-Sat 10:30a-5p; Jun-Sep Tue-Sat 3-8p. Free. 6498607.

•Thomas Riley Studio: 26 10th St. S, Naples. thru May 25: Tadao Cern & Taek Lee. Mon-Fri 10a-5p; May 1-Aug 31: Mon-Fri 12-5p. 5292633.

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

•Tower Gallery: 751 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel. Daily 10a9p. Free. 340-6467.

•Two Newts Gallery: 2502 2nd St, #104, Ft Myers. TueFri 10a-6p, Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p. Free. 332-2300.

•Union Artists Studios: Alliance of the Arts, 10051 McGregor Blvd, #202, Edwards Bldg, Ft Myers. Free. 826-3861.

•Unit A: 2633 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Ft Myers. Marcus Jansen studio/gallery. Mon-Wed 11a3p & by appt & special events. 240-1053.

•Visual Arts Center: 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. Sep 9-28: Cultures Across the World; Sep 30-Oct 26: Color!; Oct 28-Nov 30: Harvest of Art. Mon-Fri 9a4p & Sat 10a-2p. Free. 951639-8810.

•Watson MacRae Gallery: 2340 Periwinkle Way, #G1, Sanibel. thru Oct: Summer Salon. Mon-Sat 10:30a-5p. Free. 472-3386.

attractions

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

•Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum: 3075 SanibelCaptiva Rd, Sanibel. Ongoing: Journey to the Center of a Shell, Raymond Burr Memorial Exhibit, Deep-Sea

Mollusks, Henry DomkeNature Photographer. World record-sized Shells. Daily 10a-5p. 395-2233.

•Baker Museum: ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. thru Sep 27: Inside the Outside, Sep 5Jan 7: Arik LevyUnnatural History; Sep 5Oct 29: Schrenk Student Photography; Oct 20-Jan 31: French Moderns; Oct 20-Jan 31: Expressions - Matisse & Modern Art. Tue-Sat 10a-4p & Sun 12-4p. 597-1900.

•Burroughs Home & Gardens: 2505 First St, Ft Myers. Living history tours daily 11a & 1p, 5-9p. 3370706.

•Butterfly Estates: 1815 Fowler St, Ft Myers. Sun & Tue-Th 10a-5p, Sat 10a-7p. 690-2359.

•Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium: 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. Museum, butterfly aviary, trails, live reptile shows daily. Planetarium shows daily. Solar observing thru telescope Fri 11a. 10a-5p & Sun, 11a-5p. 275-3435.

•Cape Coral Historical Museum: 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Wed, Thu & Sun 1-4p. 772-7037.

•Collier Museum at Government Center: 3301 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Educational programs, Wed, 2pm. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 774-8476.

•Conservancy of SWFL: 1495 Smith Preserve Way off Goodlette Frank Rd. MonSat 9:30a-4:30p. Free. 4302466.

•Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: 375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples. Blair Audubon Center, Boardwalk

Exploration & Exhibits. Daily 7a-5:30p. Free. 348-9151.

•CREW: Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. 23998 Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Guided walks: 1st & 3rd Tue & 2nd Sat, Nov-Apr, Marsh Hiking Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Rd, Immokalee. Trails open sunrise-sunset. Free. 657-2253.

•CROW: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Healing Winds Visitor Education Center. Wonders of Wildlife: Nature presentations Mon-Fri 11a. Tue-Sun 10a-4p. Free. 4723644.

•‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. Education Center. ‘Ding’ Darling Days: Oct 15-21. May-Dec 9a-4p, Jan-Apr Sun-Fri 9a-5p. 472-1100.

•Edison & Ford Winter Estates: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. thru Oct 30: Mina Edison’s Moonlight Garden. Ongoing: Edison & Rubber - A Scientific Quest, Edison & Ford in Florida. Daily 9a-5:30p. 334-7419.

•Everglades Day Safari: Pickups throughout SWFL. Daily 7:30a-5p. 472-1559.

•Everglades Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old 41 Rd, BonitaSprings.Botanical gardens, animals, art gallery.Daily 9a-4p. 9922591.

•Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples: North Collier Park, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. Oct 2- : China exhibit. Special hours for children on autistic spectrum: Breaking the Barriers, 2nd Sat of month 8-9a & Sensory

The Centers for the Arts in Bonita Springs presents the art of Ted De Clercq, October 15-November 16. Call 495-8989 for information.

Night, 4th Tue of month 58p. Register. Mon-Sat 10a5p & Sun 11a-4p. 514-0084.

•Holocaust Museum & Education Center of SWFL: Sandalwood Square, 4760 Tamiami Tr N, # 107, Naples. Sep 5-Dec 18:

Painting the Irena Sendler

Story. Jan-Apr: Tue-Sun 12:30-5p; May-Dec: Tue-Sun 1-4p. Guided Tours: 1:30p. Free. 263-9200.

•IMAG History & Science Center: 2000 Cranford St, Ft Myers. Science

Saturdays: 1st Sat, History

Saturdays: 2nd Sat. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 3217420.

•Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: 1215 Roberts Ave, Immokalee. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. Free. 6582466.

•Marco Island Historical

Museum: 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. Sep 1-Nov 28: Florida Artists Group.

Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 642-

1440.

•Mound House: 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Guided tours Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-3p; programs

Tue, Wed, Sat 10a; free

guided beach walks Tue 9a, Newton Park, 4650 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. JanApr Tue-Sat 9a-4p; MayDec Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-4p. 765-0865.

•Museum of the Everglades: 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. Sep 1Nov 11: A Heart for Alligators - Jurg ‘George’ Furrer retrospective. Tue-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-4p. Free. 695-0008.

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

•Naples Botanical Garden: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples.Oct 1-Jan 30: A

Blessing of Animals.. Dogs in the Garden walks Sun 911:30a, Tu 8-11a, Thu 3-5p. Daily 9a-5p & Tue8a-5p Oct-Jun; daily 8a-3p JulSep. 643-7275.

•Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. thru Oct 28: Sites & ScenesCollier County’s Historic Places. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 262-6525.

•Naples Museum of Military History: Naples Airport, Commercial Terminal, 500 Terminal Dr, Naples. MonSat 10a-4p & Sun 12-4p. Free. 941-575-0401.

•Naples Zoo at Caribbean

Gardens: 1590 GoodletteFrank Rd, Naples. Daily 9a5p. 262-5409.

•Palm Cottage Museum & Norris Gardens: Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave. S, Naples. Walking tours of Naples historic district: Wed 10a; Guided garden tours: 1st & 3rd Thu of month 10a. Tours: TueSat 1-4p. Free. 261-8164.

•Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Sep 22-Jan 14:

Extraordinary Animals; Oct

8-Jan 21: Aftermath - The Fallout of War; Nov 5-Jan 21:

Approaching the Border; Nov 18-Mar 18: Eisenstaedt

Photographs; thru Sep 10:

Eternal Offerings - Chinese Ritual Bronzes; thru Oct 15:

Skyway - A Contemporary Collection; thru Oct 29:

Posed - Portrait

Photography; thru Nov 30:

Last 5 Years of Art of Our Time. Circus Museum — thru Sep 11: Amazing Acts of The Greatest Show on Earth. Bayfront Gardensthru Jun 1: Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. Gardens of Ringling Guided Tour: Thu 10:30a.

Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.

•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. thru Sep 15: Lee Hammond; Sep 20-Nov 3: Giants of the Everglades.

Daily programs: 11a & 2p.

Guided boat & kayak tours

Nov 4-Apr 30 Tue & Th.

Mon-Sat 9a-4p. 530-5940.

•Sanibel Historical Museum & Village: 950 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Wed-Sat, 10a-4p. 472-4648.

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs.

Mon-Fri 10a: organic garden tours; Mon-Fri 11a & 2p: history & botanical tours; Thu & Fri 5:30-8:30p: original live music in lounge. 949-0749.

•Shell Factory & Nature Park: 2787 N Tamiami Trail, N, Ft Myers. Shell exhibits, Animal exhibits, petting farm, Christmas House, Natural History Exhibit, Money Museum, water games, video arcade, miniature golf, playgrounds, Soaring Eagle Zip Line. Daily 10a-5p. 995-2141.

•SWFL Historical Society: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Wed 9a-12p & 4-7p, Sat 9a-12p. Free. 939-4044.

•SWFL Military Museum & Library: 4820 Leonard St, Ft Myers. Mon-Sat 9a-5p. Free. 541-8704.

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

parks

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

•Bowditch Point Regional Park: 50 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Guided walks: Tue & Sat 9:30a Nov-Apr. 463-3764.

•Bunche Beach: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Guided walks: 1st & 3rd Tue 5p Nov-Apr. 707-6794.

•Caloosahatchee Regional Park: 18500 North River Rd, Alva. Guided walk: 1st Sat & 3rd Tue of month 9a Sep-May. 693-2690.

•Collier-Seminole State Park: US 41 (Tamiami

Wi ne&Dine

SWFLDININGGUIDE

BERT'S BAR & SEAFOOD GRILL : 4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. 282-3232. Dockside dining with a million dollar view and quality food at reasonable prices. Waterfront restaurant offering delicious and fresh local seafood, certified angus burgers, refreshing brews, and live entertainment Tue-Sun. 'All-U-Can-Eat' Fish Fry Wed & Fri 4-9pm. Open 7 days a week from 11am. www.bertsbar.com

BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE : 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422. Southwest Florida’s premier dinner theatre features the best of Broadway, favorite shows of the past and the most recent musical hits. with nationally selected performers and a live orchestra. Featuring a delicious buffet. Tue-Sun: dinner 5:30pm, Matinees: lunch 11:45am. broadwaypalm.com

LATITUDE 26 BAR & RESTAURANT : Hyatt House Naples, 1345 5th Ave S, Naples. 775-1000. New menu of home-cooked comforts, including delicious entrees, gourmet sandwiches, a variety of snacks & sharables, premium beers and wines, and their signature ‘Smoke on the Water’ cocktail, served in nautical British West Indies-inspired décor. Wed: Prime Rib Night. Happy Hour Daily Specials 4-7pm: Lunch: daily 11am-4pm, Happy Hour: daily 4-7pm, Dinner: daily: 5-10pm. hyatthousenaples.com

LAUGH IN COMEDY CAFE : 8595 College Pkwy, # 270, Ft Myers. 479-5233. Laugh In's menu has everything from clams, mussels, crab cakes, and cod to the house favorite chicken parmesan and Shrimp Orleans to a 10 oz. NY strip steak with fresh vegetables & potato Late night menu features four cheese fried rigatoni, pulled pork nachos, hot wings, hot apple pie, citrus base sunshine cake! Shows:Thu7:30pm,Fri& Sat7:30&9:30pm. laughincomedycafe.com

The Restaurant atSHANGRI-LA SPRINGS : 27750

Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. 949-0749. The legendary resort offers a beautiful, light-filled all organic restaurant. Ingredients are from the property’s organic gardens. Dine indoors surrounded by local fine art or select our canopied patio seating, nestled among lush botanical gardens. Enjoy garden fresh options with organic wine. Lunch: Mon-Sat 11am-2:30pm, Dinner: Thu, Fri & 2nd Wed 5-8pm. shangrilasprings.com

THE VERANDA restaurant: 2122 Second St. (at Bwy), Ft Myers. 332-2065. The Veranda's romantic setting in two turn-of-the-century homes, combined with their Southern Regional Cuisine, an extensive wine list, and first class service staff, provide a unique dining experience. Celebrating excellence since 1978 and consistently honored as one of the most award-winning restaurants in Fort Myers. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30-9pm. verandarestaurant.com

Trail), S Naples. Guided walks: Sat 10a. Hiking trail, self-guided boardwalk nature trail, exhibits, camping, fishing, boating canoeing. 394-3397.

•Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: 11135 Gulfshore Dr, Naples. Beach, fishing, picnic areas. 597-6196.

•Estero Park: 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. 248-1609.

•Everglades National Park: Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Ln. Everglades City. 9a-4:30p. 695-3311.

•Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva. Guided walks: 1st Tue 9a Sep-May. 6932690.

Guided walks: Thu 9:30a

Nov-Apr. 707-3015.

•Myakka River State Park: 13207 SR 72, Sarasota.

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

•Naples Preserve: Eco-center.

1690 Tamiami Tr N, Naples.

Jan 10-Apr 25: Nature talks

Tue 10a. Free. Dawn-dusk. 261-4290.

•North Collier Regional Park: 15000 Livingston Rd, Naples. 252-4060.

•North Ft Myers Park: 2021

N Tamiami Tr, N Ft Myers.

Yoga: Wed 6p. 652-4512.

•Rutenberg Park Eco-Living Center: ‘Florida-Friendly’

Garden/Landscape Workshops: Wed 10:30a.

Free. 533-7515.

•Six Mile Cypress Slough

Preserve: 7791 Penzance Blvd, Ft Myers. Guided walks: daily 9a Nov-Apr. Free. 533-7550.

•Veterans Park: 55

Homestead Rd, Lehigh Acres. 369-1521.

•Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park: 16730

Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Flow Yoga & Mat Pilates: MonThu 9a; Yoga & Meditation: Tue 4:30p; Tai chi: Wed 1p; Laughter Yoga: Wed 6:30p. Classes free. 432-2154.

live music & comedy

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

•Bert’s Bar & Grill: 4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha.Live Wed-Sat nites. 282-3232.

•Big Blue Brewing: 4721 SE 10th Pl, Cape Coral. Live music Thu-Sat nites. 4712777.

•Bone Hook Brewing: 1514 Immokalee Rd, #106, Naples.. Live music select nites 6-9p. 631-8522.

burlesque select nites. 3320161.

•Laugh-In Comedy Café: 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. Thu-Sat: comics 7:30 & 9:30p. 479-5233.

•Matanzas on the Bay: 414 Crescent St, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely 69p. Fri: Father Al & The Jazz Congregation. 4633838.

•Millennium Brewery: 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 2712255.

•Momentum Brewhouse: 9786 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Live music select nites. 949-9945.

•Old Soul Brewing: 10970 S Cleveland Ave, #402, Ft Myers. Wed: Open Mic 810p. Live music or comedy select Fri & Sat nites. 3344334.

•Naples Beach Brewery: 4120 Enterprise Ave, #116, Naples. 304-8795.

•Point Ybel Brewing Company: 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. Tue: Open mic 7:30-10:30p; Thu: Live music 7-9p; Fri: live music 8-10p. 603-6535.

•Red Rock Saloon: 2278 First St, Ft Myers. Live music Fri & Sat nites. 6898667.

•Reserve Cigar & Wine Bar: 10950 S. Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers. Live music Fri & Sat nites. 210-0300.

•Riptide Brewing: 987 3rd Ave N, Naples. Live music Fri & Sat 8-11p. 228-6533.

•RJ’s Bar & Grill: 1475 N. Tamiami Tr, N.Ft Myers. Live music nightly. 9979600.

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Thu 5-8p, Fri & Sat 6-9p: original live music in lounge. 949-0749.

•Smokin’ Oyster Brewery: 340 Old San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely 6-10p. Free. 463-3474

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

•Koreshan State Historic Site State Park: US Hwy 41 & Corkscrew Rd, Estero. 9920311.

•Lakes Regional Park: 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Ft Myers. Halloween Festival: Oct 1731, weekends 10a-9p, weekdays 6-9p. Guided walks: 1st Sat 8:30a, Garden tour: 2nd Sat. 533-7575.

•Lovers Key State Park: South of Ft Myers Beach. 463-4588.

•Lynn Hall Park: 950 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Laughter Yoga: Fri 8a NovApr. 229-7356.

•Manatee Park: 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Ft Myers. 8adusk. 690-5030.

•Matanzas Pass Preserve: 119 Bay Rd, Ft Myers Beach.

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

•Bury Me Brewing: 4224 S Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers. Live music select nites. 3322337.

•Cape Coral Brewing Company: 839 Miromar St, Cape Coral. Live music select nites. 257-1033.

•City Tavern: 2206 Bay St, Ft Myers. Live music ThuSat. 226-1133.

•Fort Myers Brewing Company: 12811 Commerce Lake Dr, #27, Ft Myers. Live music select Wed-Sat nites. 313-6576.

•Hotel Indigo: 1520 Broadway, Ft Myers. Wed: Open Mic. 337-3446.

•Howl Gallery/Tattoo Dive Bar: 4160 Cleveland Ave, Ft. Myers. Live music &

•Space 39 Art Bar & Lounge: 39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Live music WedSat 8:30-11p. 204-9949.

•The Barrel Room: Twisted Vine, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. Live music Thu-Sun. Thu 711p: Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Jazz Quartet; Fri & Sat nites: blues bands; Sun 10:30a-1p: Jazz Brunch w Joe Delaney & Brandon Robertson. 333-225.

•The Joint at Cape Harbour: 5785 Cape Harbour Dr, Cape Coral. Live music Tue, Fri, Sun. 542-0123.

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

•The Rhythm House: 16440 S Tamiami Tr, Ft Myers. Live music Fri 6:30p. 4668326.

•The Veranda: 2122 Second St, Ft Myers. Piano Bar TueSat 6:30-9p. 332-2065.