April 2020 Happenings Magazine

Theatre • Concerts • Art • Dining • Comedy • Music

APRIL 2020

FREE

VIRTUAL ARTS IN SW FLORIDA

“Sleeping Under Orion”

by FGCU student Francheska Castano

Naples • Fort Myers • Cape Coral • Port Charlotte • Key West

Publisher’s Spotlight

A different world

Normally, I would be using this space to tell you what is being produced on our local stages, but our current situation is anything but normal. With everyone’s lives turned upside down, we are forced to look at our personal and professional lives a little differently. There is not one of us who is unaffected by this pandemic. Truth be told, it is very scary. We’ve lived through hurricanes, cancer battles and loss of life, but nothing has ever been quite like this.

Although it may be difficult to stay positive as we experience loss of money, our jobs, human interaction or worse yet, death ... we still need to reach deep inside and find faith and hope for tomorrow. Social separation is tough, but absolutely necessary if we are going to defeat this enemy. We don’t need our government or elected officials to tell us how to behave. We simply need to ask ourselves if our behavior and mindset are selfish or selfless, hateful or loving, cruel or kind. We are fortunate that we, as humans, have the free will to make that choice. And with that choice comes consequences or rewards. At the end of the day, only you can decide how you will live your life in your home, at your workplace, in your neighborhood and in your community.

These past few weeks have been tough or all of us, and the next few weeks (or months) may be even tougher. But, together as a human race, we can move forward and survive ... together.

As the owners of two monthly event magazines, it is difficult to tell our thousands of long-time followers about the variety of activities going on, when in reality not much is happening right now.

With that said, we decided to take this issue forward and focus on the road ahead. We don’t want to dwell on what is not happening or what was canceled or postponed. Instead, we want to focus on what will come in the future.

4 - April 2020

The arts and entertainment community has taken a huge hit. The theatres are shut down, galleries are closed, concert halls are dark and restaurants and bars are waiting to reopen.

Because of the tremendous support, friendships and loyalty we have seen over the past 25 years for Happenings Magazine, we decided to give our partners free advertising in this month’s magazine. For health and safety reasons, we are not able deliver our normal 19,000 copies of the printed magazine to our 550 distribution points throughout Southwest Florida.

Instead, we have made the April issue of Happenings Magazine 100% digital. We have been publishing a digital version of the magazine for a few years, but this one is more special.

We are utilizing extra ways to get this issue into even more hands. And because schedules and events are changing daily, we will be making regular updates online all month long.

Our current plan is to return to a normal print (and digital) issue with the May magazine.

We want to make sure our advertisers’ messages are getting out to the thousands of online followers we have. Many of our arts organizations are non profits and are experiencing major financial losses by refunding tickets to shows that have been canceled or postponed. If you can, try to support these local organizations and businesses with a ticket donation or purchase a season pass for 2020-21.

We will survive this pandemic, and hopefully we will come out better when it is all over. Together, we can stay strong, stay healthy and count our blessings. It is easy to think and talk about what we don’t have.

Instead, let’s concentrate on the many blessings we do have.

We love you Southwest Florida, and we thank you for standing with us through it all.

Stay well, stay home & stay strong.

Rock on,

Jamie

IN THIS ISSUE

theatre

6

art

20

music

32

dining

50 Publishers & Owners

Jamie & Kathy Kuser

Contributors: Holly Zammerilla, Michael Moran, Kathy Kuser, Bob Williams Advertising sales: Jamie Kuser & Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Distribution: Jeff Morrill & Aley Enterprises Happenings A&E Magazine is owned, published & distributed monthly in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties by KMK Publishing Inc.

MAILING ADDRESS:

PO Box 9285, Fort Myers, FL 33902

(239) 278-5236

swfHappenings@earthlink.net

HappeningsMagazine.net

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THEATRE

TheatreZone in Naples announces season lineup for 2020-21

TheatreZone, a professional Equity theatre in Naples specializing in Broadway musicals, has announced its 2020-2021 season shows.

They are Home for the Holidays (Dec. 11 - 13, 2020); Curtains (Jan. 7 17, 2021); Bright Star (Feb. 4 - 14, 2021); Camelot (March 4 - 14, 2021); and The Bridges of Madison County (April 15 - 25, 2021).

“Our sixteenth season will include a variety of traditional shows, audience favorites, and shows that might be new to some audience members,” says Mark Danni, artistic director. “We always strive to expose our subscribers and ticket buyers to a variety of works that can be unique to our market.”

Kander and Ebb’s Curtains is a musical about a musical, in which an unlikable leading lady is murdered during her opening-night curtain call.

Frank Cioffi, a police detective and musical theatre fan, must solve the mystery and save the show. This

6 - April 2020

comedy send-up of backstage murder mysteries, with a book by Rupert Holmes, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander, with additional lyrics by Kander and Holmes, is packed with glorious tunes and a witty, charming script with delightful characters. A hilarious journey for both performers and the audience, the Broadway production garnered eight nominations at the 2007 Tony Awards® including Best Musical.

“Curtains is special in that it’s the final collaboration between Kander and Ebb (writers of Cabaret and Chicago) as Ebb passed away during its creation. After Ebb passed way, Rupert Holmes was brought in by Kander to help finish the work, and he (Holmes) suggested last season that it would be a good show for us,” said Danni.

“Curtains is an old fashioned comedic musical with lots of dancing, and

we’re truly looking forward to presenting it on our stage.”

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star tells a beautiful story of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.

An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

TheatreZone will also present Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot. Audiences can expect to experience a youthful, edgier version of this legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot. Borrowing from the Arthurian legends, Camelot is the duo’s fantastical masterpiece which triumphed on Broadway in a legendary original production that lead to a film version, and numerous revivals in New York, London and across the globe.

“This new version of Camelot has

Happenings Magazine

been enhanced to create stronger connections within the delightful classic,” said Danni.

“The definitive score and memorable characters are all there but with a libretto and orchestration adapted for a production which I believe our audiences will appreciate and enjoy.”

The Bridges of Madison County, based on the best-selling novel and developed by the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and Marsha Norman, captures the lyrical expanse of America’s heartland along with the yearning entangled in the eternal question, “What if…?” Winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations, this sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross will leave audiences breathless.

“With its soaring score

and touching story, The Bridges of Madison County is a strong addition to any theatre's season,” said Danni. “The powerful roles of Francesca and Robert are a dream come true for any actor, while the ensemble is rich with characters who tell their own individual stories and receive plenty of focus on stage.”

All evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Matinees at 2 p.m. will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

TheatreZone is in residence at the 250-seat G&L Theatre on the Community School of Naples campus, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples.

Tickets range from $50-$65 with premium seats available at $85. Season ticket renewals began on March 2. Sales to new season ticket buyers began on March 16, and tickets for individual shows became available to the public on March 30.

For more information, visit www.theatre.zone or call 888966-3352 x1.

Happenings Magazine

April 2020 - 7

THEATRE

The Music Man with Gulf Coast Symphony moves to Nov. 7 & 8 Originally scheduled for late March, the Gulf Coast Symphony has moved its production of The Music Man to November.

Broadway veterans and local talent alike join Gulf Coast Symphony for the beloved classic musical The Music Man featuring a full cast, orchestra and staging.

The Music Man will be busting onto the stage at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 8 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW. The Music Man took Broadway by storm in 1957, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In the show, fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill brings trouble to River City, Iowa when he cons the townspeople into buying instruments for an imaginary band – but his plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when his heart is stolen by the town librarian. Featuring the unique distinction of having book, lyrics, and music written by the same person, The Music Man

Brian Sears will play Harold Hill

8 - April 2020

Siri Howard will play Marian the librarian

was inspired by Meredith Willson’s childhood in Iowa.

Songs from the show became instant classics, like “Seventy-Six Trombones”, “Gary, Indiana”, and “Till There Was You”, which was eventually covered by The Beatles and remains the only song from a Broadway show released by the band. The show also features Willson’s famous snap-crackle-pop vocal arrangements that could be considered the Broadway precursors to rap. plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when his heart is stolen by the town librarian.

The cast includes friend of the symphony Siri Howard as Marian Paroo, who has appeared in other symphony productions as Laurie in Oklahoma! and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. Howard has

appeared in the Broadway productions and national tours of Les Misérables and The Sound of Music. She has also toured nationally with The Phantom of the Opera and Parade.

Brian Sears stars opposite as Professor Harold Hill. Sears has extensive Broadway and West End credits as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon, Lend Me a Tenor (Dir. Stanley Tucci), Finian’s Rainbow, Grease, and All Shook Up. Rounding out the main cast is Edward Juvier as Marcellus Washburn (Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway), Gene Weygandt as Mayor Shinn (Wicked and Big on Broadway), and Mary Stout as Eulalie Shinn (Jane Eyre, Beauty and the Beast, Me and My Girl, My Favorite Year on Broadway).

Tickets may be purchased by calling 239-481-4849 or online at www.GulfCoastSymphony.org Happenings Magazine

Charlotte Players hoping to spring back in May

their little Texas town to marry an

By Dan Mearns infantryman before he ships off for Coronavirus concerns have World War II. The women impulshuttered entertainment venues sively decide to throw the girl an across the country, and commuelaborate wedding, and their lives nity theaters are no exception. and friendships are thrown into tur“We cancelled all shows and moil as they race to accomplish the activities (auditions& rehearsals) nuptials in one frenzied afternoon. for March¸” said Charlotte The 2020-21 season features Players Executive Director eight plays at the Langdon, includSherrie Moody. “ ‘Baggage,’ a ing Erma Bombeck – At Wit’s End, show originally scheduled for a one-woman show in January.

April, has been postponed and Special events scheduled for the we are hopeful it will be presentLangdon include a Christmas ed this summer show, New Year’s Eve cabaret, and “Our dedicated staff is working The Charlotte Players 2019-20 season included a shortvocalist Cahal Dunne. tirelessly to keep our members ened run of Neil Simonʼs Proposals in March. Pictured, Acts on next season’s Charlotte and customers informed,” she Clemma (Celene Galvan) offers her brand of advice to Performing Arts Center agenda added. “Our organization lives by budding sculptor Josie (Caitlin Cohen). include tributes to John Denver, the lifeblood generosity of volunDean Martin and Jerry Lewis, teers, donors and patrons. As a Carole King and James Taylor, and nonprofit organization, we exist Rod Stewart. The Edwards Twins will be back for two shows, on an extremely tight budget, and we are asking ticket holdand Sister’s Easter Catechism, which had to be canceled in ers to consider donating their ticket to support to our 501(C)3 March, is on tap for March of 2021. organization.”

Comedy for a Cause, the Players’ principal fundraiser, has The Players is hoping to stage Wedding Belles at the been scheduled for Sept. 11. The Kids OnStage summer Langdon Playhouse in May, with auditions and rehearsals by camps may be postponed until July, depending on when appointment. Written by Alan Bailey and Ronnie Claire missing school days will have to be made up.

Edwards and directed by Paula Pender, the comedy concerns For all the latest, visit online at www.charlotteplayers.org four garden-club ladies meet a young girl who has come to

Happenings Magazine

April 2020 - 9

THEATRE

Gulfshore Opera was able to present La Boheme March 13 at Charlotte Performing Arts Center, but was not able to do the production in Lee County due to the pandemic. La Boheme has been rescheduled and will be performed Nov. 10 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. Meanwhile, Gulfshore Opera has canceled all of its April events. Photo by Josh Shaw.

Gulfshore Opera reschedules

La Boheme for fall at Mann Hall

Gulfshore Opera has rescheduled its original production of La Boheme for Nov. 10 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arst Hall in fort Myers.

The production was originally planned for March 18, but was canceled due to the Coronavirus. A preview performance was staged at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center March 13.

Gulfshore Opera, Southwest Florida’s professional touring opera company, announced last January its production of La Bohème to be performed at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. For this highly anticipated new production, Gulfshore Opera has hired a vibrant young director from California, and a creative team from across the United States to bring Puccini’s timeless classic to Southwest Florida.

In describing this original production, director Josh Shaw explains, “La Bohème is a timeless story with themes as relevant today, as they were in the original setting. Young people continue to face the same problems the Bohemians faced. In the late 1880s

10 - April 2020

Paris was filled with a concentration of larger than life characters -- Van Gogh, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and others.

The Impressionist movement was in full swing with artists who rebelled against classical subject matter and embraced modernity, creating works that reflected the world in which they lived. It is easy to imagine Puccini's Bohemians moving in the same circles as these greats. The colorful style of Van Gogh offers a vibrant canvas on which to paint Puccini's masterpiece in a heightened, but believable setting.”

Set designer Ardean Landhuis, projections and lighting designer Tlaloc Lopez-Waterman and costume designers Steffanie Pearce and Amanda McGee are using the great impressionists as muses for their design concepts.

Much like the world of impressionism, the characters become more of a snapshot of a larger reality. Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night (1888) becomes the inspiration and actually comes to life as the Café Momus in the Latin-Quarter of Paris on Christmas Eve. Maestro Greg Ritchey will conduct a

30-piece orchestra, with a cast of nationally renowned singers. Soprano Sarah Tucker and tenor Peter Lake perform the naïve lovers Mimì and Rodolfo. Sarah Tucker is fresh off a debut with the San Diego Opera, having previously performed at San Francisco Opera, Dallas Opera, Santa Fe Opera and being a national semifinalist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Peter Lake sang the role of Pinkerton in the acclaimed Japanese-English production of Madame Butterfly with the Pacific Opera Project and Opera in the Heights, directed by Josh Shaw. He has performed with the Savannah VOICE Festival and Natchez Festival.

Playing the hot and cold lovers Musetta and Marcello are Chelsea Lehnea and Kenneth Stavert. The Bohemians are rounded out by Coline Ramsey as Colline, and Mitchell Hutchings as Schaunard.

La Bohème will be Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall. Tickets are available by visiting www.gulfshoreopera.org or calling 239529-3925.

Happenings Magazine

Cultural Park Theater in Cape Coral

By Michael Moran

Since the Cultural Park Theatre Company opened the Cultural Park Theater in 1963, we have prided ourselves in ensuring constant entertainment and classes for our community. We’ve been there through Hurricanes, every Federal holiday, a major renovation, and all the quiet normal days in between. It’s not some sort of stunt to keep a streak going, it’s because we love what we do and are committed to being here as a resource for the community.

Today (March 19), we will close our doors for the first time for the same reasons: we take our role in the community seriously and cannot run the risk of being a site of transmission.

Starting today, our theater, gift shops art gallery and lobby will be closed. We will work closely with the City of Cape Coral to monitor the situation and decide on a reopening date. All special events – where possible – will be rescheduled. And, of course, if you have bought tickets for an event that is now postponed, we will honor those tickets at the future show.

However, we also know that at a time

like this community connection remains as important as ever. We are working on plans to continue our programming in a way that will allow you to still participate with the theater. Please keep an eye out for our weekly updates on our web site and social media pages. We’ll have a little something for everyone, and we hope it makes these days of stress and anxiety easier to cope with and just a bit brighter.

As a season subscriber, please note that your tickets will be returned to your account for use in future productions when we reopen. If you purchased single tickets for a production, we would strongly encourage you to consider making the cost of that ticket a donationbut if you would like a refund, we will provide it as soon as these circumstances improve. Please keep in touch by calling our Box Office or visit the theaters web site and social media pages.

Plans are underway to begin sales for our Summer Camps. These three, threeweek sessions host 45 children to the theater including a portion of student’s scholarship into the program for needy families.

Other families pay only $300 for the three

weeks making Cultural Park the most affordable camp in the area and among the most popular theater camp as well. This year, we plan to present the musicals Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr., Roald Dahl’s Matilda Jr. and Annie Jr. These shows are favorites of not only the children but families as well.

During our closure, we will also be working on a plan for reopening safely. This will be a difficult time for us our patrons, volunteers and staff. As Executive Director I am responsible, for a staff and for that reason closing the theater was not an easy decision to make, but it is clearly the right one at this time. As I said in the beginning, we love what we do, and that has not changed.

Keep an eye out for virtual programming coming from us soon. We hope to break the tedium of self-isolation and continue to serve as a valued community resource.

Thank you for your understanding and support. We hope you all stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you back at the theater before too long.

The Cultural Park Theater is located at 528 Cultural Park Blvd. Cape Coral. For more info, call 239-772-5862 or visit www.culturalparktheater.com.

SEASON POSTPONED

Please check online for updates Happenings Magazine

April 2020 - 11

THEATRE

Florida Repʼs 2019-2020 season included A Gentlemanʼs Guide to Love and Murder.

Florida Repertory Theatre looks ahead to the next season

After cutting short its current season, Florida Repertory Theatre has announced its 2020-2021 season, which continues the company’s third decade of producing nationally-recognized, professional theatre in the Fort Myers River District.

Set to open Sept. 29 and run to May 23 in the Historic Arcade Theatre and ArtStage Studio Theatre, the nineshow season includes three musicals, multiple comedies, a recent Tony-winning Best Play, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic, a world premiere and more.

The next season features five productions in the 393-seat Historic Arcade Theatre and four in the intimate 120-seat ArtStage Studio Theatre, and kicks off with a loving and patriotic salute to Irving Berlin, "I Love a Piano"

by Ray Roderick and Michael Berkeley in the ArtStage Studio Theatre. The Arcade Theatre opens just in time for Halloween with The Woman in Black, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill's novel, a chilling ghost story that's hailed as one of the scariest theatrical experiences ever. The Woman in Black is one of the world’s longest running plays, and is still playing in London's West End after 30

12 - April 2020

years.

The season also features Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, which is celebrating thirty years as the original rock 'n' roll musical, and the 2016 Tony Award-winning best Ppay, The Humans by Stephen Karam, one of the hottest new plays in America right now.

Florida Rep will unveil an unprecedented new partnership with its Education Department with a co-production of the classic American Musical, West Side Story, featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. The partnership unites Florida Rep's professional acting ensemble members and designers with the theatre's Conservatory students in one of the theatre's mainstage productions.

Florida Repertory Theatre’s 23rd season also includes a world-premiere as part of its ongoing efforts to develop new works and nurture playwrights.

Opening Feb. 23 in the ArtStage Studio is Good Americans by Bruce Graham, a darkly comic and electrifying thrill-ride where the red scare comes to Hollywood in 1949 and threatens to ruin careers and derail a major motion picture. Graham's play

was selected from the 2019 PlayLab Festival last May. "We have been hard at work to put together a season that showcases our ensemble of artists in our signature wide variety of plays and musicals," said artistic director Greg Longenhagen. "The 23rd season is an exciting lineup that offers an escape, enlightenment, and above all, entertainment! There are three musicals on the docket for 2020-2021, some American classics, a record number of new plays, and two of the hottest new comedies in America right now. This is not the year to miss out on tickets. I look forward to seeing you at the theatre."

Subscriptions start as low as $210 for six plays and offer the best seats and the most significant savings.

Packages for 9, 8, 7 and 6 shows are on sale for both new and renewing season ticket holders through the box office at 239-332-4488, and renewing subscribers have until May 30 to keep their current seats. Single tickets are priced at $59/$55 for regular performances and $39/$35 for previews and will go on sale July 15 through the box office and online at www.FloridaRep.org.

Happenings Magazine

Florida Rep

SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS Only $300 pe 3 week r session

2020-2021 season

I Love A Piano

Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin, Conceived & Written Ray Roderick & Michael Berkeley Oct. 2 – Nov. 8, 2020 In ArtStage Studio Theatre.

Packed with over fifty of Irving Berlin's greatest hits!

A joyful & nostalgic musical salute to America’s favorite composer!

The Woman in Black

Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt • From the Novel

by Susan Hill Oct. 30 - Nov. 15, 2020 In Historic Arcade Theatre.

A rollercoaster of thrills and chills! "A masterpiece!”

–The Guardian

West Side Story

Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Nov. 27 – Dec. 16, 2020 A co-production with Florida Rep's Conservatory Program • In the Historic Arcade Theatre. Ensemble Members and Conservatory Students unite in the most memorable musical love story of all time! A thrilling partnership!

Driving Miss Daisy

by Alfred Uhry Dec. 18 – Jan. 24, 2021 In ArtStage Studio Theatre.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic! "A total delight." – NY Daily News

The Humans

by Stephen Karam Jan. 8 - 27, 2021 In the Historic Arcade Theatre. "A haunting beautifully realized play ...

Blisteringly funny and altogether wonderful!" –The New York Times. Contains Adult Language.

Happenings Magazine

Into the Breeches

by George Brant Feb. 12 - March 3, 2021 In Historic Arcade Theatre A hilarious & vibrant new comedy about what happens when we're all in it together.

Good Americans

A World Premiere

by Bruce Graham Feb. 26 - March 28, 2021 In ArtStage Studio Theatre An electrifying world premiere! Chosen from the 2019 PlayLab! Contains Adult Language.

BUDDY: The Buddy Holly

Story by Alan Janes March 19 - April 11, 2021 In Historic Arcade Theatre Before the Beatles, before the Stones, rock ‘n’ roll was born! Buddy will have you dancing in the aisles with all of his greatest hits from Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and more!

Morning After Grace

by Carey Crim April 16 - May 23, 2021 In ArtStage Studio Theatre Hilarious and heart-warming! This unconventional new comedy tackles love, loss, and growing old with style! Contains adult language and situations.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

June 8 - June 26 Multiple session discounts Multiple family member discounts

June 29 - July 17

July 20 - August 7

REGISTER TODAY

for children ages 7 to 15

Sessions run 9 am - 4 pm.

CULTURAL PARK THEATER 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral

239-772-5862 www.CulturalParkTheater.com

THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA

Our artists are working on alternative methods to create great theater experiences, and for you to enjoy these creations, within CDC guidelines. This will include video recordings and live streaming of play readings of shows, and will possibly also include snippets of our community’s student actors whose shows will, sadly, not go on at their schools.

All of our Socially Distant Theater Events will be posted on our social media pages and our YouTube channel for those that do not have social media.

We at Lab Theater have paused not only our onstage productions, but all classes, workshops, internships, and rehearsals at this time. Thank you for your understanding and generous support as we face the next few months without income. With your continued support, we will be able to entertain you once again, on the other side of this pandemic.

www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com

239-218-0481

1634 Woodford Ave. Downtown Fort Myers April 2020 - 13

THEATRE

Gulfshore Playhouse presented Native Gardens (above) Jan. 11 - Feb. 2 at the Norris Center in Naples as part of its 2019-20 season. That season got cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The local group was unable to stage its productions of The Lion in Winter and The Niceties.

Photo by Matthew Schipper

Gulfshore Playhouse announces schedule for 2020-2021

Gulfshore Playhouse will celebrate its16th season with powerful and prescient dramas, hilarious comedies, a moving musical, stirring new works and esteemed classics. The 2020-21 season has been announced and includes:

The Syringa Tree by Pamela Gien, Oct. 17 to Nov. 1: For decades, South Africa was torn apart by apartheid. In this personal, deeply evocative story of enduring love, two families’ destinies are intertwined across four generations as they experience early apartheid to present-day South Africa.

With humor, fear and courage, sixyear-old Elizabeth Grace tries to make sense of the wonder and chaos 14 - April 2020

around her. This emotionally powerful, engaging and persuasive piece will show how love can conquer fear.

Around the World in 80 Days by Mark Brown, Nov. 14 to Dec. 13: All the world’s a stage in this hilarious, imaginative tour-de-force of epic proportions. When Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Victorian gentleman, accepts a seemingly impossible wager to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days, he embarks on a dangerous and delightful globetrotting adventure, pursued all the while by a dogged adversary. Five actors take on 42 roles in this charming, madcap, fun adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic story.

The Pin-Up Girls by James Hindman and Jeffrey Lodin, Jan. 9 to 31: From George Gershwin to Beyonce. From World War One to Afghanistan. “The Pin-Up Girls” is a cavalcade of musical hits inspired by real letters from troops overseas.

While singing at their local VFW hall, Leanne and her friends stumble upon a stash of letters that go back 100 years. Inspired by what they find – funny, romantic, heartbreaking, and sexy – the ladies put on a show that celebrates the guys and girls who fight to defend our country.

Bang Bang! by John Cleese, Feb. 13 to March 14: Legendary actor John Cleese of Monty Python fame brings

Happenings Magazine

to life this new adaptation of Georges Feydeau’s classic comedy Monsieur Chasse. When a respectable society lady is hoodwinked by her husband, she devises a scheme to get revenge.

Everyone has a secret, and things go quickly awry in this new production brought to the stage by one of the greatest comedic geniuses of all time.

Othello by William Shakespeare, March 27 to April 18: Othello is on top of the world. He has power, passion and a promising future. Unbeknownst to him, he becomes the target of increasingly malicious mind-games poised to destroy him. In one of Shakespeare’s most enduring and prescient tragedies, Othello’s life begins to unravel at an unstoppable pace and everyone must suffer the explosive consequences. This seat-gripping psychological drama is not to be missed.

Another Revolution by Jacqueline Bircher, May 1 to 16: The year is 1968.

Two graduate students are forced to share a lab at Columbia University and find they are opposed in more ways than just their scientific disciplines. Amid interpersonal differences, a campus devolving into political chaos, and the uncertainty and turmoil of the outside world, they each discover what it’s like to be thrown into someone else’s orbit. Audiences won’t want to miss this timely new work about finding hope through the uncertainty.

This upcoming season, Gulfshore Playhouse Education will debut “Little Women” as part of the Playhouse’s main stage season line-up. Presented by the by-audition only Teen Conservatory program, performances will take place Dec. 17 - 19.

Gulfshore Playhouse Education has also announced the summer Happenings Magazine

productions of Mary Poppins, and Be More Chill as part of the Teen and Youth Conservatory programs. Mary Poppins plays June 25 and 26. Be More Chill shows July 30 to Aug. 8.

The 2020-21 season will also feature all-new season packages and flex pass offerings. Season Packages offer patrons the option of a three-show, four-show, five-show or sixshow selection, with savings of up to 20% off regular tickets and the added bonus of prime seats, exclusive access to VIP events, and additional discounted tickets for family and friends. Packages start at $168 per person, with an additional $10 off between Feb. 24 and March 8.

New this year, Gulfshore Playhouse has introduced a flex pass option that provides patrons with the flexibility of purchasing a block of tickets and redeeming them any time, in any amount, for any show. Patrons can use all of their passes for a single show or spread them out over multiple shows.

Options include 12-ticket, 10-ticket, 8-ticket, and 6ticket pass blocks. Prices start as low as $66 per ticket with the Flex Pass option. Flex Pass holders can redeem tickets for any seat level, and also receive invitations to exclusive events, and can exchange tickets up to 24 hours before a show.

For purchase information, contact 239-261-7529.

Plans are currently underway for the new Gulfshore Playhouse Theater and Education Center at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South, which will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults, and families.

For more info about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.o rg or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).

April 2020 - 15

THEATRE

Naples Players looking to the future

Like every other theatre group in Southwest Florida, the Naples Players has had to interrupt its regular season due to the COVID-19 virus.

Looking ahead, the Naples Players have announced the 2020-21 schedule. The upcoming season is all new.

With no repeat titles from the 66 years of its history, this new season features classic comedies, relevant dramas, and feel-good family entertainment.

The new season also features four musicals - including the first-ever regional premiere musical in the Tobye Theatre.

The 66th season was set to be the highest attended season in the group’s history - don't miss out by getting turned away at the box office.

Subscribe today and guarantee the best seats at the best price.

The next season for the Naples Players includes the following:

The Wedding Singer

June 24 - July 26, 2020 The Wedding Singer takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room.

Boeing Boeing

Sept. 30 - Oct. 25, 2020 In this 1960’s farce, Bernard has Italian, German, and American fiancées - each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent “layovers.” This “don’t miss” comedy will have you in stitches.

16 - April 2020

The Naples Players 66th season included hits like The Great Gatsby which was performed in October of 2019.

Happenings Magazine

Yours, Truly

Oct. 21 – Nov. 22, 2020 From the jazz era of the 1940’s comes a new cabaret-style musical.

Featuring the story of Naples resident Gary Kelson, this musical is a regional premiere.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Nov. 25 - Dec. 20, 2020 This comedic romp is filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughs.

Savannah Sipping Society

Jan. 13 – Feb. 7, 2021 It’s never too late to make old new friends. A delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy!

When We Were Young and Unafraid March 31 – April 25, 2021 This powerful play takes us inside the story of a quiet bed and breakfast turned into a secret women’s shelter in the early 1970.

An Ideal Husband

April 28 – May 23, 2021 Oscar Wilde’s wickedly witty and touching comedy remains one of the most famous and popular in history.

Twelfth Night

Feb. 14 - March 7, 2021 This free outdoor performance series features a one-hour comedic adaptation of one of Shakespeare's classic comedies. No tickets required.

The Cake

Feb. 3 – Feb. 28, 2021 Della's late-best-friend’s daughter comes home to ask her to make a cake for her upcoming wedding…to another woman.

Mary Poppins

March 3 – April 3, 2021 Mary Poppins flies before your eyes in this classic musical based on the muchloved children’s books.

New and renewing subscriptions are available now.

Individual tickets go on sale Sept. 8. For more information, call the box office at 239-2637990 or visit online at www.naplesplayers.org.

Follow tehm on Facebook for updates on current events.

Bye Bye Birde was on stage when The Naples Players had to suspend its current season.

Happenings Magazine

April 2020 - 17

THEATRE

Broadway Palm adjusts season schedule

The COVID19 pandemic has caused several adjustments at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers.

The scheduled run of Kinky Boots was cut short on the main stage in March, and Always a Bridesmaid was suspended in the Off Broadway Palm Theatre.

Something Rotten was originally scheduled to open on April 9, but that opening has been delayed until May 9.

Something Rotten is scheduled to run May 9 - May 16. Set in 1595, this hilarious new musical comedy tells the story of brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, two playwrights stuck in the shadow of the Renaissance rock-star Will Shakespeare. So desperate to write a hit play, when a prophet foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, the brothers set out to write the world’s very first musical!

Something Rotten! is a hilarious serv-

18 - April 2020

ing of entertainment and an irresistible ode to the dazzling creation of musicals.

The Broadway national tour of Chicago will heat up the Broadway Palm stage May 20 – May 30. This touring production is the original version that is currently playing on Broadway with the original production direction/choreography by Bob Fosse; original New York choreography in the style of Bob Fosse by Ann Reinking and original New York production direction by Walter Bobbie.

Swing will hit the main stage June 3 – June 30. Broadway Palm will be

jumpin’ and jivin’ with over 30 fabulous songs from the Big Band Era! Swing exploded out of Harlem and shattered cultural and ethnic barriers.

Step back in time and relive the dance phenomenon that swept the world with specialty styles such as Jive, Swing, Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and Hip-Hop Swing.

The summer will feature The Sound of Music on stage June 25 – Aug. 8. Based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews, this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has touched the hearts of audiences around the world for decades.

Individual tickets for the remainder of Broadway Palm’s 27th season are on sale. For more info, visit www.BroadwayPalm.com, call (239) 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Happenings Magazine

2020-21 Broadway Series

at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW announces the 20202021 Fifth Third Bank Broadway Series.

The eight-show series consists of:

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jan. 5-10, 2021 Jesus Christ Superstar is an iconic musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production comes to North America.

Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) and award winning choreographer Drew McOnie (King Kong, Strictly Ballroom), this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

My Fair Lady

Jan. 12 - 17, 2021 Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady is the winner of 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival of Musical and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, 5 Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical Revival and 3 Drama League Awards including Best Musical Revival.

The Prom

Feb. 2 - 7, 2021 Everyone’s invited to the joyous Broadway hit that New York Magazine hails as “smart and big-hearted” while The New York Times declares it “makes you believe in musical comedy again!”

The Prom is a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world and the love they discover that unites them all.

Summer - The Donna Summer Musical

Feb. 23 - 28, 2021 She was a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven, who shot through the stars from gospel choir to dance floor diva. But what the world didn’t know was how Donna Summer risked it all to break through every barrier, becoming the icon of an era and the Happenings Magazine

Aaron LaVigne and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Matthew Murphy. inspiration for every music diva who followed.

Dear Evan Hansen

March 2 - 7, 2021 Winner of six 2017 Tony Awards and a 2018 Grammy Award - A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Dear Evan Hansen is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life & the way we live it.

RENT

March 16 - 21, 2021 For a quarter of a century, Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prizewinning masterpiece RENT has inspired us to choose love over fear and to live without regret. Its immeasurable emotional impact has forever changed the world of musical theatre.

Blue Man Group on Tour

March 30 - April 4, 2021 Under the helm of visionary director Jenny Koons, in her first time collabora-

tion with Blue Man Group, the tour features everything audiences know and love about BMG—signature drumming, colorful moments of creativity and quirky comedy—the men are still blue but the rest is all new!

An Officer and a Gentleman

April 6 - 11, 2021 An Officer and a Gentleman, based on the Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere, is a breathtaking production that celebrates triumph over adversity and includes one of the most iconic and romantic endings ever portrayed on screen. Featuring the Grammy Award winning, #1 hit single “Up Where We Belong,” and a score based on the 1980’s catalogue of music that gave voice to a generation, the live stage production is a new adaptation by multiple Tony Awards nominee Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Everyday Rapture), based on the original screenplay by Douglas Day Stewart.

Season tickets can be purchased at the box office, by phone (239) 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Single tickets for the 2020-2021 series will be available at a later date.

April 2020 - 19

ART

All Florida exhibit winners at the Alliance for the Arts

Prominent and emerging Florida artists submitted more than 500 pieces for consideration in the Alliance for the Arts’ 34th Annual All Florida Juried Exhibit. After consideration from juror Amanda Poss, 60 pieces were unveiled to the public during an opening reception on March 6. The exhibit was scheduled to run through March 28 but cut short when the Alliance campus shut down mid-month.

Thomas Roth was awarded $1,000 Best in Show for LS1.

Taylord Dezeme won a $250 Golden Colors Gift Certificate for second place for A Slice of Life, and Joel Shapses won $100 for 3rd place on Fantasia. Richard Stanton was awarded the Juror’s Choice Award for Deco Beach.

Full list of exhibiting artists include: Eileen Amster, Cynthia Barbanera-Wedel, David Belling, Della Boynton, Mila Bridger, Stephen Bufter, Deborah Butler, Marcy Calkins, Dennis Church, Carol Coates, Steve Conley, Michael Danley, Taylord Dezeme, Kathleen Durdin, Sharon Eng, Alejandro Estrada, Stacey Fletcher, Muffy Clark Gill, Kristin Herzog, Del Holt, Priscilla Jeffcoat, Pamela Jones, Jay Lana, JoAnn LaPadula, Jean Mau, Dave McFarlane, John Merchant, Kellen Mills, Lucy Nesheim, Gregory Presley, Whit Robbins, Roy Rodriguez, Sherry Rohl, Thomas Roth, Rita Schwab, Cree Scudder, Joel Shapses, Dale Smith, Paul Stackpole, Richard 20 - April 2020

Thomas Roth was awarded $1,000 Best in Show for LS1.

Stanton, Erin Stein, Grayson Stoff, Daniel Venditti, Christina Wyatt, Barbara Yeomans and Peter Zell.

This year’s juror was Amanda Poss. Amanda Poss received her MA in Art History from the University of South Florida in 2015 specializing in Modern and Contemporary Art, and a BA from the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2011.

Poss currently holds the position of gallery director at Gallery221 @

Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus, where she also manages the Public Art Program, Grounds4Art@HCC, and oversees a growing Permanent Art Collection. She is the former Gallery Director at Blake High School, where she organized and curated exhibits from 2015–2017.

Poss has also held positions at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery at the University of Tampa as a gallery assistant, adjunct professor at the Happenings Magazine

Taylord Dezeme won a $250 Golden Colors gift certificate for second place with A Slice of Life.

Joel Shapses won $100 for third place with Fantasia.

University of Tampa, and adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College.

All Florida exhibit was sponsored in part by Family Thrift Center.

Maria Collier’s work was Happenings Magazine

on display in the Member Gallery, with photography by Katy Danca in the Theatre Lobby.

For more about the Alliance for the Arts, call 239-939-2787 or visit www.ArtInLee.org.

April 2020 - 21

Artists sought for Frida’s Flowers ART

invitational exhibition at DAAS Co-Op Gallery

April of 2019.

DAAS Co-Op Art For president and Gallery & Gifts is member artist David seeking the work of Acevedo, Frida is an a number of idol and an incrediSouthwest Florida ble source of inspiartists, invited and ration. “I do not challenged to creknow or fully underate pieces inspired stand my connection by the iconic surreto this woman and alist painter Frida how I feel when I Kalho. The exhibicontemplate her tion will feature paintings,” says works in multiple Acevedo, who is mediums, following also participating in the prospectus on the invitational exhithe gallery’s webbition. site.

“She persevered Originally through the planned for April, heartaches, ailments the opening recepand so many other tion is now schedcircumstances, but uled for Friday, July never gave up. She 4 from 6 to 10 p.m, was resilient and in conjunction with always found a way the monthly Fort to continue painting Myers Art Walk and that, I think, it’s event. The exhibivery much how I tion will be on disam. Frida lives in play through July my heart and that is 25. why we wanted to The deadline for dedicate this exhibidelivering artwork tion to her,” adds for the show is the artist, who is June 23 – 27. also preparing for a Luis Jimenez is major solo exhibition one of the memat the Sydney and bers of DAAS CoBerne Davis Art Op. Just like the Center in July. rest of the memberDAAS Co-Op ship, he was invited invites all Southwest to include a piece Florida art collecor two in the show. tors, supporters and His piece, a pyrogenthusiasts to join raphy sketch paintus for the opening ed with acrylics and reception. As other water-based Luis Jimenez always, the gallery mediums, is a will be filled with the depiction of the most beautiful inventory of art, fine crafts, apparel, sculptures, Mexican artist and an ode to her life and work. “The symbolism pottery and jewelry, all produced here by the member artists. on my work represent what we humans take with us when we DAAS Co-Op is located at 1815 Fowler St., Unit 3, in Fort die,” comments Jimenez.

Myers. The gallery is currently closed for public health and “She [Kalho] took with her all the pain through her romantic safety reasons. More information about gallery and/or how to life, accidents, sickness, but not forgetting her artistic achievebecome a member can be found at www.daascoop.com or by ments doing what she loved, which was making art,” concludes calling 239-590-8645. the artist, who has been an active member of the gallery since 22 - April 2020

Happenings Magazine

Naples Art is future planning ART

By Aimee Schlehr As we use this valuable unanticipated time for exciting future planning, we are also having to revisit our current position.

Naples Art has had to make some tough decisions. We’ve lost an inordinate amount of our anticipated and irreplaceable earned income due to C-19. An extraordinary challenge for a lean non-profit. We are tightening our belt with a significant reduction in staff and hours while we continue to plan a very exciting reopening as soon as possible.

We are working diligently on finalizing or expanding several new and very important programs including ABE, the Art, Business, Entrepreneur Program and Academy, a whole new approach to the exhibitions and new exciting courses among them.

We believe art can change lives and improve communities. We are committed to developing artists and arts leaders, ensuring artistic expression is available to everyone, while enriching Southwest Florida through the visual arts and we need your support.

We need your support to honor this mission.

There are several opportunities available that we’d like you to consider, both big and small, to ensure our next chapter of experiences on

“Retired” by Susan Carpenter was part of the Lifelong Learners: Art and Artists of Naples Art exhibit in March.

“Lone Ranger Crossing the Alps” by Dan Jensen was included in the March exhibit Dan Jensen: Realism in Action.

24 - April 2020

behalf of our community, artists and donors are available in full, upon reopening.

• Consider buying an annual membership to directly support our operations. https://naplesart.org/membership/ • Consider gifting a reoccurring donation. https://naplesart.org/donate/ • Consider becoming an annual sponsor (regularly promoted on web and social media!)

• Consider buying from our extraordinary outdoor show artists so they may continue to participate in future shows with us.

https://downtown.naplesart.org • Enroll your kids in our wonderful summer camp with certified art instructors. https://naplesart.org/artscool/ We cannot wait to reopen, recharged and bursting with pent up creative energy just waiting to be shared.

For more information about Naples Art membership, artist programs or courses that Naples Art offers, visit online at www.NaplesArt.org or call 239262-6517.

Aimee Schlehr is CEO and executive director of Naples Art

Happenings Magazine

Happenings Magazine

April 2020 - 25

ART

FGCU student exhibit goes virtual “Rejoice in the Motion” by Adam Claggett

The FGCU Art Galleries have closed for the remainder of the season.

However, there is some great news coming out of the Wasmer Art Gallery.

They have prepared an electronic publication showcasing the work in the 22nd Annual Student Juried Exhibition which is available on the gallery’s website. The exhibit was originally scheduled to open March 20 and run through April 2.

Florida Gulf Coast University students working in sculpture, drawing, digital media, printmaking, painting and ceramics submit their finest works for this annual juried exhibition. Up to 70 works of art, demonstrating students’ accomplishments and experiments, are featured. The jurors for the exhibition were area arts professionals and included Julie Gerhard, Renee Ray and Melissa Minds VandeBurgt.

The exhibit catalog will stay up continually (online), but all unsold work will be returned to students after April 2, says Anica Sturdivant, assistant curator, the Art Galleries of Florida Gulf Coast University.

26 - April 2020

Award winners from the exhibit are as follows: College of Arts and Sciences Deanʼs Scholarship Award Geneviv Iriarte “Cave Wall” Method & Concept Scholarship Award Farrah Alkhadra “Coelom”

Tanner Yurchuck “Dreaming with Eyes Wide Open”

Carl E. Schwartz Award for Artistic Endeavor Scholarship Francheska Castano Sanibel - Captiva Rotary Club Award of Excellence Alyssa Payne “Time Traveler”

Robert Rauschenberg Residency Award of Excellence Meghan Shinhan

Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild Award of Excellence Martha Grattan “Anthropocene: Quagga” Geneviv Iriarte “The Cave”

Tanner Yorchuck “Dreaming with Eyes Wide Open” Adam Claggett “Rejoice in Motion”

FGCU Art Galleries T-Shirt Award Cody Deno “Tracks”

FGCU Art Galleries Sketchbook Award Haley Keller “Gator”

All of the information about this virtual exhibit can be found at fgcu.edu/artgalleries/ or go directly to https:// issuu.com/floridagulfcoastuniversityartgaller/docs/22nd_annual_juried_v_final_pdf Happenings Magazine

“Keen Eyes” by Francheska Castano

“Sleeping Under Orion” by Francheska Castano Happenings Magazine

CURBSIDE TAKE OUT available in Marco, Bonita and Fort Myers Beach Tiki April 2020 - 27

ART

Art Poems, Southwest

Florida Fine Craft Guild at Arts for ACT Gallery Although the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk is canceled for April 3, the Arts for ACT Gallery will display some new exhibits through the month.

ACT Gallery welcomes the artists and poets who participated in Art Poems as well as members of the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild.

ArtPoems is a creative collaboration of artists and poets.

As a platform for the creation of new art and poetry it adds a unique vision and voice to the Southwest Florida cultural landscape each year. Founded in 2007 by Lorraine Walker Williams and Joe Pacheco, ArtPoems celebrates its fourteenth year in 2020. Each season, ArtPoems artists and poets are paired and exchange art and poetry. The artists create new art works inspired by poetry and the poets write new poems inspired by artwork. New creations emerge from this shared inspiration and collaboration.

Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild (SWFFCG) will exhibit recent work in “Creative Hands� at Arts for ACT in the White Gallery in April. Established for 30 years, SWFFCG fea-

Babs Snyderman

28 - April 2020

Renee Farr

tures eclectic, mainly three-dimensional work by artists working in glass, stone, jewelry, fiber, ceramics, wood, and mixed media. Guild members are professionals in their fields and produce traditional and contemporary work at levels of excellence that must be experienced to fully appreciate the skill involved.

For more information about the guild, go online to www.swflfinecraftguild.org.

Instead of the normal opening reception, ACT Gallery will host a casual viewing of the art during normal business hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the month of April.

Arts for ACT Gallery is located at 2265 First St. in downtown Fort Myers. For more info, call 239-337-5050 or visit online at www.artsforactgallery.com.

Happenings Magazine

Scenic Florida at Guess-Fisher Gallery Guess-Fisher Gallery’s exhibit in April will be "Scenic Florida" featuring oils and watercolors by Phil Fisher, fine art batiks by Natalie Guess, oils by Jan Ellen Atkielski

Natalie Guess

Happenings Magazine

and Kevin Barton and photography

by Nolen Fisher. The gallery is located at 810 12th Ave. S., Naples.

For more information, visit www.guess-fishergallery.com

Phil Fisher

April 2020 - 29

Art in

ART

the Park

Naples Art hosts the seasonal Art in the Park the first Saturday of every month from November through April. Due to the current health ad safety recommendations, the April 4 Art in the Park will not be held in Cambier Park. At right, artists Nanou and Jon Porter participated in the March Art in the Park. For more about their art, visit online at nanoujonart.com. To stay posted on Naples Art events, visit online at www.naplesart.org

30 - April 2020

Happenings Magazine

MUSIC

Former Chicago lead singer to perform on Fort Myers Beach Lucky concert goers have a new reason to sing along and get on their feet Thursday, May 14 (originally scheduled for March 19) from 7 – 9 p.m. at Fish-Tale Marina, 7225 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. Jeff Coffey, former lead singer for Chicago, headlines the last concert of the 2020 Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts Concert Series with “Back to Chicago” tribute band opening.

Back to Chicago will open the show and then it will segway into Coffey playing an acoustic set featuring songs from his current album. The evening will wrap up with Coffey joining “Back to Chicago” to jam on the classic Chicago tunes which made fans fall

in love with this windy city supergroup.

Coffey, who hails from Orlando and attended Stetson and University of Central Florida was lead vocalist for Chicago from 2016 – 2018, before joining Eagles great and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Don Felder on tour. Coffey has appeared on NBC, MTV, FOX, E!, HGTV, A&E, Travel Channel and Bravo and has played alongside groups like Hootie and the Blowfish, Edwin McCain, Vertical Horizon and Earth, Wind and Fire.

“Back to Chicago could not be more thrilled and honored to be able to perform with Jeff Coffey. A moment like this makes all the hard work pay off. We’ll be pumped up

Back to Chicago

32 - April 2020

Jeff Coffey

and ready to rock the Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts Concert Series,” said Rick Grootveld, flautist, sax player and founder of the group.

Buy advance general admission tickets for $30 or VIP reserved seating tickets for $50 by visiting www.fmbarts.org or connect on Facebook. The Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts mission is to promote and support theater, music, culinary and visual arts on Fort Myers Beach and the surrounding community with a vision to make the arts on Fort Myers Beach accessible for all to enjoy and discover.

Happenings Magazine

BIG ARTS unveils new home BIG ARTS opened the doors of its new home and the community Jan. 25 by hosting a community open house.

The open house featured live music performed by the popular Island Jazz and the BIG ARTS Community Band and Chorus, as well as food provided by Rib City.

Guests toured the garden area, art gallery and experienced the brand new state of the art performance hall.

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to open our doors and show off this gorgeous new facility to the public,” exclaimed Don Rice, co-chair of the board of directors. “BIG ARTS mission is to provide quality arts and entertainment to the Sanibel and Captiva community, and we couldn’t think for a better way to celebrate our opening than with the much loved talent from our own community.”

The event began with Island Jazz performing in the garden. The new gallery opened and featured the first fine arts exhibit of the year, “Time for Joy” by renowned artist Mally Khorasantchi.

Guests experienced the new state of the art performance hall with the BIG ARTS

Community Chorus and the BIG ARTS Concert Band.

BIG ARTS is located at 900 Dunlop Road.

To learn more about the new home of BIG ARTS, visit online at www.BIGARTS.org or call 239-3950900.

AMERICANA COMMUNITY MUSIC ASSOCIATION Fort Myers home for original Americana music!

Island Jazz played in the garden at the January open house

Please check our website & Facebook page for updates & possible virtual concerts.

8 Ball Aitken

Jann Klose

Smithson and French

MAY 16

MAY 23

Robert Bidney opens

Millie Van Horn opens

MAY 9

Glen Sabatka opens

Keith Rea

Bruce Gallant opens

MAY 30

Eli Cook

Thomas Earl opens

JUNE 13

The BIG ARTS Chorus performing in the new hall

Happenings Magazine

Doors open 6:30 p.m. Show 7 p.m.

Shows at All Faiths Unitarian Cong., 2756 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers info 239-691-4069 www.AmericanACMA.org $15 donation at door April 2020 - 33

MUSIC

Foreigner

Foreigner headlines ‘70s rock cruise in 2021

The 2021 sailing of the “Feel Good Party at Sea” welcomes Foreigner as its headliner on board the Celebrity Infinity.

Sailing Feb. 27 through March 6, the annual 70s Rock and Romance Cruise will depart Miami and head for St. Maarten and St. Thomas.

Besides Foreigner, the 2021 music cruise will include performances by Air Supply, 10cc, The Guess Who, WAR, BJ Thomas, Jim Messina, The Family Stone, Melissa Manchester, Pure Prairie League, Badfinger featur-

ing Joey Molland, Toast (the Ultimate Bread Experience) and cruise host Peter Asher. More artists are expected to be added.

The seven-day cruise includes live performances by all the artists in four venues throughout the ship. Additionally, the artists participate in interactive events like panel discussions, Q & A sessions, cooking demonstrations and more. Of course, all the artists love to mingle with the passengers and are always happy for photos and autographs.

Payment plans are available that include monthly payments.

The 2021 sailing marks the fifth year for the 70s Rock and Romance Cruise, one of several themed cruises produced by StarVista LIVE. This cruise has sold out the last three years.

Happenings Magazine readers have an opportunity to save on their cabin prices by using a special promo code. That’s right, use the promo code “Happenings” when you book online or by phone and you will save hundreds of dollars.

For more details, visit online at www.rockandromancecruise.com/happenings or call 844-466-7625.

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Email: SuncoastScrty@aol.com Happenings Magazine

Darrell Scott concert

moves to May 29

Darrell Scott

Happenings Magazine

The Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs has made numerous changes to its visual and performing arts schedules due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Originally scheduled for March 19, Darrell Scott will now play Hinman Auditorium on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Darrell has opened for and performed with the Zac Brown Band. These days find him roaming his Tennessee wilderness acreage hiking along the small river, playing music, or sharing each day with the woman he loves, also an artist in her own right.

Here are some of the music schedule updates:

The March 26 Patchouli and Terra Guitarra concert has been rescheduled for Oct. 23.

The Gulfshore Tenors’ April 3 performance has been moved to June 26.

The April 4 concert for Ronnie Baker Brooks is now scheduled for Jan. 29, 2021.

Tab Benoit’s April 9 show has been moved to Nov. 6.

All the Kings Women has been rescheduled for Dec. 4 - 6.

Hinman Auditorium is located at 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs.

For tickets and info, call 239-495-8989 or visit www.artcenterbonita.org

April 2020 - 35

MUSIC

ACMA takes a break in April, looks ahead to May The Americana Community Music Association has canceled all indoor and outdoor concerts for April.

The ACMA calendar for May includes 8 Ball Aitken on May 9, Jann Klose on May 16, Smithson and French on May 23, Keith Rea on May 30.

8 Ball Aitken brings his swamp blues music back to the ACMA on May 9. He was the first musician we hosted at All Faiths and he’s been coming back ever since. Be sure to ask about the story

Eli Cook - June 13

behind that!

Australian-born, Nashville, Tennessee-based, singer, songwriter, slide guitarist, cast away his cover gigs some 17 years ago to hit the road, building a credibly successful yield, built solely on live performances globetrotting eighteen countries and still counting 8 Ball as his unusual name suggests, he is cut from a different mould. He throws a highly energetic and engaging, quite humorous performance, padded with a combination of guitars including an impressive three string bewitchery. He is the “legal shot” and sits deep in the pocket of collaborating audience engagement with grooving music like the white ball sinking the black.

Millie Van Horn will open the May 9 show.

In June, the ACMA welcomes Eli Cook on June 13. Eli Cook is a mystifying soul. He’s a keen observer, a provoking thinker and has swagger.

All under that messy blonde hair is a passionate heart with fingers of silver

8 Ball Aitken - May 9

and gold that recalls John Lee Hooker, Chris Smither and Chet Atkins, mixed in with a dirty, grungy sound. It’s clean playing mind you; it’s just his fingers are covered in the dirt left over from the crossroads.

The growl in his voice shows off an emotional connection to the music as a tool rather than decoration. Thomas Earl will open the June 13 show.

For updates, follow the ACMA on Facebook or visit americanacma.org.

LOSED C Y L I R A TEMPOR

36 - April 2020

Happenings Magazine

38 - April 2020

Happenings Magazine

LOCAL & LIVE MUSIC IN SW FLORIDA (WHEN THEY REOPEN)

Backstreets

915 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral 239-945-7555

The Barrel Room 2210 Bay St., Fort Myers 239-333-2225

Bert’s Bar & Grill 4271 Pine Island Rd Matlacha 239-282-3232

Blue Monkey Bar & Grille

7550 Mission Hills Dr suite 326, Naples 239-597-2583

Buckingham Blues Bar

5641 Buckingham Rd Fort Myers 239-693-7111

The Buddha Bar

12701 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers 239-482-8565

Cape Cabaret

4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral 239-549-3000

The Center Bar at The Promenade 26811 S. Bay Drive Bonita Springs 239-325-3583

Coconut Falls Tiki 17200 S. Tamiami Tr. Fort Myers 239-990-9901

The Cottage

1270 Estero Blvd., Ft Myers Beach 239-765-5440

Dixie Roadhouse

1023 SE 47th Terrace Cape Coral 239-541-7900

Fathoms

5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral 239-542-0123

Fishermen’s Village

1200 W. Retta Esplan.

Punta Gorda 941-639-8721

Happenings Magazine

Hurricane Charley’s

300 W. Retta Espl, Punta Gorda 941-639-9695

The Jac

1233 Periwinkle, Sanibel 239-472-1771

The Keys Bar & Grille

9905 Gulf Coast Main St., Fort Myers 239-433-3323

Lakehouse Bar & Grill

3401 Bay Commons Drive, Bonita Springs 239-948-4400

Lansdowne Street

24851 S. Tamiami Tr #7 Bonita Springs 239-495-3800

The Nauti Mermaid 5961 Silver King Blvd.

Cape Coral 239-541-5600

Nervous Nellie’s 1131 First St., Fort Myers Beach 239-463-8077

Old Naples Pub

255 13th Avenue S., Naples • 239-649-8200

Paradise Tiki Hut at Dolphin Key 1502 Miramar St. Cape Coral 239-540-8454

Parrot Key Caribbean Grill 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach 239-463-3257

Pete’s Time Out 1005 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach 239-463-5900

DJ’s Rhythm House

16440 S. Tamiami Trail Fort Myers 239-466-8326

Seminole Casino Hotel 506 S. 1st St., Immokalee 800-218-0007

South Street

1410 Pine Ridge Road Naples 239-435-9333

The Shell Factory 2787 N. Tamiami Trail North Fort Myers 239-995-2141

Smokin Oyster Brewery 340 Old San Carlos For Myers Beach 239-463-3474

Sneaky Pete’s

3465 Bonita Beach Rd Bonita Springs 239-498-8887

The Stage

9144 Bonita Beach Rd Bonita Springs 239-405-8566

Ter-Tini’s

1901 Crystal Drive, Fort Myers 239-344-6147

Tiki at Wyndham Garden 6890 Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach 239-463-5711

Tiki Bar at Days Inn 18051 S. Tamiami Tr Fort Myers 239-267-7900

Twisted Vine Bistro 2214 Bay St., Fort Myers 239-226-1687

The Village Pub

4360 Gulf Shore, Naples 239-262-2707

Whiskey Park

3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples • 239-263-6777

Yucatan Beach Stand

250 Old San Carlos Fort Myers Beach 239-333-4386

Some of the places to hear live music in SW Florida.

April 2020 - 39

IN CONCERT

PERFORMANCES IN SW FLORIDA,

SUN COAST & KEY WEST Old Dominion

MAY 5

Key West Amphitheater

MAY 23

L.A. Guns, Slaughter The Ranch, Fort Myers

MAY 31

The Mavericks

Sunset Green, Key West

JUN 10

Todd Rundgren

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

JUN 14

Rebelution

Key West Amphitheater

JUN 19

Joe Nichols

The Ranch, Fort Myers

JUN 28

Ringo Starr & His All Star Band

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

JUL 11

Tony Jackson

The Ranch, Fort Myers

JUL. 16

Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow & more Hertz Arena, Estero

AUG 7

Allie Colleen

The Ranch, Fort Myers 40 - April 2020

Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns has announced its new concert date for Hertz Arena. Casting Crowns and Matthew West will now perform Oct. 29 at Hertz Arena in Estero. For tickets and information, visit online at www.hertzarena.com

AUG 11

The Psychedelic Furs

SEP 19

Easton Corbin

NOV 6

AUG 14

OCT 1

Collie Buddz

NOV 7

OCT 2

Toby Keith

NOV 10

Tracy Lawrence

The Ranch, Fort Myers

NOV 12

OCT 3

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Great White and Autograph

The Ranch, Fort Myers

AUG 17

Tedeschi Trucks Band BB Mann Hall, Fort Myers

AUG 20

Ricky Scaggs

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

AUG 22

Alabama, Don McLean Hertz Arena, Estero

Firefall, Poco and Pure Prairie League

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

AUG 29

Craig Morgan

The Ranch, Fort Myers

SEP 16

Boney James

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

The Ranch, Fort Myers The Ranch, Fort Myers Hertz Arena, Estero

Allman Betts Band

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

OCT 9

Here Come the Mummies

Seminole Casino, Immokalee

OCT 20

Jonny Lang

Shenandoah

The Ranch, Fort Myers

Charlie Daniels Band

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Graham Nash

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Buddy Guy & Kenny Wayne Shepherd

NOV 18

Bruce Hornsby

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

DEC 7

Geoff Tate

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

DEC 10

OCT 29

Seminole Casino, Immokalee

Casting Crowns and Matthew West Hertz Arena, Estero

Hermanʼs Hermits starring Peter Noone

Daily concert updates at HappeningsMagazine.net

Happenings Magazine

New show dates announced for The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon

two consecutive singles reach No. 1. In 2012 the Gilchrist County Florida native released his sophomore album, All Over The Road, which included the Top 5 hits “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and “All Over The Road.” Corbin set a career-best debut on country airplay with his top 5 hit single, “Baby Be My Love Song,” from his No. 1 debuting album About To Get Real.

Corbin’s new single, “A Girl Like You,” from his upcoming fourth studio album is Top 30 and climbing and was released to rave reviews.

New dates have been announced for the numerous shows that were previously scheduled at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon in Fort Myers. Schedules are changing constantly and ticket buyers are advised to always check with the venue before the event.

The modified Sam Galloway Ford Concert Series welcomes Joe Nichols on June 19, Tony Jackson on July 11, Allie Colleen on Aug. 7, Craig Morgan on Aug. 29, Easton Corbin on Sept. 19, Tracy Lawrence on Oct. 2 and Shenandoah on Nov. 6. No new date has been set for the Aaron Watson concert.

Joe Nichols - June 19 As Joe Nichols began work on a brand new batch of old-school country music, he found himself looking back for inspiration.

Back to his early career, back to true friends and the simple perfection of pure country music … back to things that never get old. “Full circle is the term I would use,” the Arkansas native says about his new project, fittingly titled Never Gets Old. “The whole theme of the record is ‘Let’s get back to where it all began for me. Let’s get back to where my passion for music began.’”

From 2002’s Man With a Memory on, Nichols harnessed that passion as a steady hit maker, racking up six Number Ones and eight Top 10s, including charttopping modern classics like “Brokenheartsville” and “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.” He’s a four-time Grammy nominee, an ACM, Billboard, CMA, and CMT Award winner, and his last album offering, Crickets, kept the success going, sending both “Yeah” and “Sunny and 75” to Platinum-certified No. 1 status.

42 - April 2020

Craig Morgan

Joe Nichols

Craig Morgan - Aug. 29 The multi-faceted Renaissance man proves it on his upcoming new studio album, aptly titled A Whole Lot More To Me, a record that furthers Morgan’s reputation as one of the genre’s most commanding vocalists.

While his singing on such hits as the multi-week Number One “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “International Harvester,” “Bonfire,” “This Ole Boy” and “Wake Up Lovin’ You” was exemplary, Morgan has somehow found a new level and vocal range in the studio. On his forthcoming LP, his third with label home Black River Entertainment, he’s making the most relevant, authentic and moving music of his career. It’s a point that “When I’m Gone” drives home, as Morgan sings about living life with no regrets.

Easton Corbin - Sept. 19 With two No. 1 singles, multiple awards and nominations, plus performances on some of the biggest stages in the world, Easton Corbin has made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. He is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics and mastery of understatement.

His self-titled debut album released in 2010 and spawned back-to-back hits “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It;” making him the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first

Other upcoming concerts: L.A. Guns and Slaughter on May 23, Great White and Autograph on Aug. 14 and Collie Buddz, Keznamdi and 4th & Orange is set for Oct. 1.

The Sam Galloway Concert Series was started in the fall of 2014 to help bring awareness to Community Cooperative (The Soup Kitchen) and the good work they do in the community. The concert series features rock and country artists on a regular basis at the venue.

Portions of the profits of each concert go to help Community Cooperative feed the community. For every pound of food donated, Sam Galloway Ford donates $1 to Community Cooperative. Concert goers are also encouraged to bring canned food items to the concerts at The Ranch.

For tickets & details, visit www.theranchfortmyers.com. The Ranch can be reached at 239-985-9839. For most concerts, the doors open at 7 p.m. at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Easton Corbin

Happenings Magazine

Thinking of Starting a Career in

Audio or Video Production?

Audio Technology Certificate Program

Courses include

Audio Recording & Production Video Editing & Production

Lee Campus, Fort Myers

For more details 239-432-5203 kelly.o’neil@fsw.edu

IN CONCERT

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone with Old English Christmas

Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone performing “An Old English Christmas” live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.

At the age of 15, Noone achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman’s Hermits. Accompanied by his band, Noone currently performs over 200 concerts a year. He consistently plays to sold-out venues and his admirers span the generations.

Known on both sides of the pond and once just as big as the Beatles, Noone and the band’s classic hits include: “I’m Into

Peter Noone

Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Wonderful World,” “Just A Little Bit Better,” “There’s A Kind of Hush,” “A Must To Avoid,” “Listen People,” “No Milk Today,” “The End of the World,” “Leaning On A Lamp Post” and “Dandy.”

Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over 52 million recordings.

In all, 14 singles and seven albums went gold.

Advance tickets are on sale now for $79 and are available by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX or online at www.jaytv.com or www.moreinparadise.com.

Concert attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. Photo by Shervin Lainez

44 - April 2020

Following a wildly successful winter tour, Tedeschi Trucks Band has added dates to their limited 2020 touring schedule which includes Monday, Aug. 17 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers.

Led by Derek Trucks’ stinging fretwork and Susan Tedeschi’s naturally stunning, emotive vocals and guitar talents, the 12-member strong collective continues to expand musical boundaries in ways that only a rare caliber of musician can achieve.

Now celebrating 10 years together, the band is touring in 2020 behind their fourth studio album, Signs and companion EP High & Mighty.

Commanding performances and exceptional musical chemistry – hallmarks of the can’t-

miss-concert experience fans have come to anticipate live – are evident throughout. From uplifting soulful anthems, to bittersweet ballads and driving rock and roll, Tedeschi Trucks Band delivers a sound and message that taps tradition while also extending the edges of American music with a genre defying collection that is all their own.

Tedeschi Trucks Band’s commitment to their craft is exemplified in a discography that also includes Grammy Award-winning debut Revelator (2010), the live Everybody’s Talkin’ (2012), Made Up My Mind (2013), Let Me Get By (2016), and their combination concert film and CD Live From The Fox Oakland (2017).

For tickets, 239-481-4849 or www.bbmannpah.com.

Happenings Magazine

Here Come the Mummies returning to Seminole Casino Hotel

Here Come the Mummies

Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents the eight-piece, funk-rock band Here Come the Mummies live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Here Come the Mummies is known for its high-energy live performances of its “Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave.”

HCTM has opened for P-Funk, Al Green, Mavis Staples, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Cheap Trick.

The band has rocked Super Bowl Village; become a regular on The Bob and Tom Show; played massive festivals like Summer Camp, Common Ground, Voodoo Fest, Musikfest, Suwannee Hulaween, and Riverbend; and sold tickets by the thousands across large swaths of North America.

Advance tickets are on sale for $45 and are available by phone at 1-800514-ETIX or online at www.jaytv.com or www.moreinparadise.com. Concert attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

Acoustic Christmas with John Tesh John Tesh will present an Acoustic Christmas Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. at Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.

Six music Emmys, two Grammy nominations, three gold records, seven Public Television specials and 8 million records sold. After more than three decades as an international entertainer, John Tesh’s recording and live concert career continues to thrive today.

Whether at the solo piano, with a 12piece ‘big band’ or an 80 piece orchestra, Tesh’s ability to create a unique journey for concert fans with music and storytelling has taken him from the Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Coliseum in Rome to Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center.

John’s live television concerts, including the seminal ‘Live at Red Rocks,’ have

raised more than 20 million dollars for Public Television.

Tesh’s consistent popularity as a TV and radio broadcaster has only amplified the personal connection with his loyal tribe of fans who get to listen to him six days a week on the ‘Intelligence For Your Life’ radio and television programs. The radio show alone amasses 34 million gross impressions/per week. John’s Facebook page has a weekly reach of 15-20 million engagements/week.

Twenty five years and 50 plus recordings into his musical and broadcast career, John Tesh’s highly successful and varied career path also includes a string of #1 radio hits.

Tickets are are available at 1-800-514ETIX or online at www.jaytv.com

John Tesh

Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show coming to Hertz Arena

Chris Stapleton

Happenings Magazine

Chris Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” will return this summer and fall with an extensive new run of shows including a stop at Hertz Arena in Estero on July 16 with special guests Sheryl Crow and Kendell Marvel.

This tour includes stops at Washington State’s Gorge Amphitheatre on June 20, Atlanta’s Truist Park on July 18, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 2 and New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 10.

Additionally, on Aug. 29, Stapleton will make his headline debut at Chicago’s famed Wrigley Field with special guests The Highwomen, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and The Dirty Knobs with Mike Campbell. Additional guests along the tour include (in alphabetical order) Dwight Yoakam, Elle King, Hank Williams Jr., Margo Price, Nikki Lane, The Marcus King Band and Yola.

For tickets, visit www.hertzarena.com

April 2020 - 45

FORT MYERS RIVER DISTRICT

46 - April 2020

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center showcased the work of artist Heidi Schmitz in March.

Happenings Magazine

Dean Park house tour rescheduled for Dec. 5 Dean Park Historic District has rescheduled its 100th Anniversary House Tour for Saturday, Dec. 5. The tour of 10 historic homes had been set for March 28, but was postponed due to the concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We are delighted that all 10 of our homeowners are able to commit to this new date. Plus, we really wanted to make sure our celebration is held in 2020 – our anniversary year,” said Sheila Pastor, co-chair of the event.

Dean Park, one of the oldest subdivisions in Fort Myers, officially came into being on May 1, 1920, when John Morgan Dean filed the “Dean’s Subdivision” map with the Lee County Clerk of the Court. The map shows 91 lots, with streets named “Rhode Island” after Dean’s home state and “Providence” after his home town.

The historic homes on the tour will include the second house built in Dean This one-story Craftsman bungalow was built in 1921 at 2622 Michigan Ave. by Claude Park, a 1917 bungalow built at 2728 Lee Stroup and Ethel Stroup.

Providence Street, the grand two-story Craftsman home built in 1919 at 2706 tour, a live Dixieland band and several refreshment stops.

First Street and eight other historic homes. The event will also Details on the house tour and all Dean Park homes can be include Model A Fords parked in front of each home on the found on the historic district’s website at www.deanpark.org.

Happenings Magazine

April 2020 - 47

FORT MYERS RIVER DISTRICT

Maria Ramona Sanchez was the featured artist in March at DAAS Co-Op Gallery and Gifts.

ICHIBAN

Japanese & Chinese Cuisine

TAKE O AVAILA UT BLE

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK

HOURS: Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. • Saturday Noon - 11 p.m.

Fast Friendly Service and Soft Music!

1520 Broadway • Suite 105

DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS (239) 334-6991

www.IchibanDowntownFortMyers.com 48 - April 2020

Located at the Entrance to the

Hotel Indigo

Happenings Magazine

BBQ, Bands and Brew postponed

Lee BIA Builders Care will not host its 11th annual BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraising event on April 5 at Centennial Park as originally planned. A new date for the event has not been announced..

BBQ, Bands and Brew was going to feature live music by Chasing Dallas, Rocker, Deb & The Dynamics and The Collective as the headliner.

The annual event attracts thousands of guests each year and highlights Southwest Florida’s top pitmasters competing for the title of “Best BBQ in Town,” and this year’s event was set to feature Big Smoke BBQ & Catering, Dave’s Bangin’ BBQ, Famous Dave's, Farmer’s Corn, Gerry’s Firebread, Jonesez BBQ, Square 1 Burgers & Bar, Texas Tony's Rib & Brewhouse and The

Happenings Magazine

American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. Sweet treats will be dished up by Pelican’s Snoballs and Scirrotto's Cinnamon City.

Proceeds from the event support Builders Care’s mission to provide emergency construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and/or disabled homeowners, and their families, who cannot obtain repairs through traditional means. To date, Lee BIA Builders Care has helped more than 425 Lee County families and has provided over $4.75 million in construction services and materials at no cost to the families in need.

To learn more about the annual event, visit www.BBQBandsAndBrew.co m or follow Builders Care at www.Facebook.com/LeeBuild ersCare.

EVENTS CANCELED FOR APRIL

April 2020 - 49

DINING

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

IN

1st Street Deli

Diners at the Seminole Casino Immokalee will enjoy the 1st Street Deli. The authentic New York-style delicatessen brings a distinctly unique dining concept to the casino, featuring deli pickles, fresh bread and sandwiches TEMPORARILY bigger than your appetite.

Offerings include piled high pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, reubens, hot paninis, hamburgers and salads. Opens 10 a.m. daily.

CLOSED

506 South 1st Street, Immokalee 800-218-0007 www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com

Capt’n Fishbones Seafood Grill

Capt'n Fishbones at The Shell Factory has moderately priced lunches, dinners and a full selection of cocktails. We serve Florida favorites like TEMPORARILY shrimp, crab cakes, fish fries, burgers and sandwiches. Enjoy the great tropical weather at Dogbones Café or the Swamp Bar and Patio where even the four legged "children" are welcome. Large group rates are available for lunches, dinners, special events and meetings.

We’re open daily at 11 a.m. with daily specials. Hear live entertainment in the Swamp Patio daily 4 - 7 p.m. Classic car shows every Thursday 4 - 7 p.m.

CLOSED

2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers 239-995-2141 www.shellfactory.com

Cape Cabaret

Cape Cabaret offers dining, dancing and live music TEMPORARILY Tuesday through Saturday.

We feature a full dinner menu prepared by executive chef Ryan Cook, two full bars, two hardwood dance floors and live music from the ‘50s to the ‘90s. See your favorite bands perform on our 30-foot stage equipped with the latest state of the art sound and light systems. Have your next private party or corporate event in our ballroom or banquet room.

Happy Hour & Early Bird Specials 4 to 5:30 p.m. Entire food menu, house wines, wells & domestic draft beers all at discount prices. Walk-ins always welcome or call reservation hotline.

CLOSED

4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral 239-549-3000 www.capecabaret.com

50 - April 2020

Coconut Falls Tiki Bar & Grill

We are a family owned tiki bar and grill. We are committed to creating an atmosphere where you TEMPORARILY can have a mini vacation.

We offer a wide range of American food with a tropical twist including appetizers, salads, soups, raw bar, sandwiches, entrees, and deserts. Also, you can enjoy our all you can eat breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Your beer is sure to be ice cold with our 12 tap glycol system and bottles kept on ice. Last, but definitely not least, we offer a wide range of entertainment to ensure there is never a dull moment.

CLOSED

17200 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers 239-990-9901 www.coconutfalls.com

Deep Lagoon Seafood

Nestled in the heart of Florida lies a place just off the beaten path where the drinks are colder, the fish is fresher and the food is tastier. Where you can breathe easy, be casual and take in the sights and sounds of everything that is “Real Florida.” A Fresh Twist on Coastal Casual, we feature a wide variety of menu options to satisfy the appetite of any guest. We offer the freshest product available, with daily deliveries from our local fishing partner Island Crab Company. Happy Hour from 3 to 6 pm featuring small plates from $6 - $9.

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

10395 Tamiami Trail N, Naples 239-631-6266 14040 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers 239-689-5474 www.deeplagoon.com

DJ’s Rhythm House

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

DJ’s Rhythm House is a restaurant and nightclub located in Fort Myers. At The Rhythm House, we strive to provide Great Service, Top Quality Food and Drinks as well as Live Entertainment. Featuring Excellent Food as well as well-known Local Talent! We offer live music weekly. We have the best hard wood dance floor and Sound Systems in the area! Come and relax. Listen to great music, enjoy an excellent dinner and a couple of drinks with your friends, neighbors or colleagues and experience the love of music for yourself. All bands start at 6:30 and conclude at 9:30 p.m. Reservations required for all shows.

16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers 239-466-8326 www.therhythmhousefortmyers.com

Happenings Magazine

EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee has unveiled a completely redesigned EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill that enhances the dining experience and offers TEMPORARILY new and exciting menu selections.

The new interior design of the EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill is elegant yet comfortable and features a theater-style kitchen that allows for transparency as chefs prepare dishes “from scratch” to the table. The EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill menu features contemporary regional cuisines utilizing the freshest selections of Prime aged beef, fresh seafood, and an array of locally-sourced produce. The wide-ranging menu offers pastas, house made soups, steaks, seafood and chef specialty items including award- winning fajitas, pork osso bucco and the ever-popular braised short rib pot roast.

CLOSED

506 South 1st St., Immokalee 800-218-0007 www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com

Lucky Mi

Asian-inspired upscale restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House at TEMPORARILY Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee has unveiled several creative new menu items that further enhance the dining experience. In addition to Avocado Tempura, Sesame Seared Tuna, and Shanghai Ribs, Lucky Mi has added hot rocks house specials that allow guests to cook their own entrees to perfection at the table on volcanic rock heated to 575 degrees.

CLOSED

506 South 1st Street, Immokalee 800-218-0007 www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com

Ichiban Japanese & Chinese TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

Located at the entrance to the Hotel Indigo, we offer a wide selection of Japanese and Chinese menu items. Stop by for lunch or dinner.

They are open six days a week (closed Sundays).

1520 Broadway, #105, Downtown Fort Myers 239-334-6991 www.IchibanDowntownFortMyers.com

Happenings Magazine

Pinchers

Located on the historic Caloosahatchee River and offering the best riverfront dining experience and sunset views, Pinchers at the Marina at Edison Ford is the place for the freshest seafood. Caught from local waters by local fishermen, Pinchers brings the best catch from the water to the table. With 2 for 1 Happy Hour all day every day and kids eat free, Pinchers is Florida Seafood, Florida Style. Pinchers has 13 Florida locations including Key West, Tin City Naples, Bonita Springs, Tarpon Point Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Gulf Coast Town Center.

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE Marco, Bonita & FMB Tiki

2360 West First St., Fort Myers 239-245-7049 www.pinchersusa.com

Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort

There's always something to do at the Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at the Dolphin Key Resort.

Located in Downtown Cape Coral, the biggest Tiki bar in the world offers live entertainment Wednesday through Sunday, Key West Style Relax Wednesday and Thursday, Light outdoor atmosphere, so TEMPORARILY family, and friends two or four legged are welcome. Great food menu, with Florida Specials, pool table,TVs. Open 7 days.

Kitchen open late.

CLOSED

1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral 239-540-8454 www.dolphinkeyresort.com

Texas Tony’s Rib & Brewhouse

With a goal of bringing a first-class experience and barbeque product Texas Tony’s Rib and Brew House was born.

Tony Phelan grew up in Texas, took those roots and his love of Texas barbeque and set out on a plan of introducing a unique brand of barbeque to Southwest Florida.

Taking a combination of Hickory and Oak woods to smoke with and cooking at low temperatures, it created the perfect formula for Award-Winning Barbeque. Texas Tony’s barbeque is “all about the rub and the ring.” The rub is made from his secret recipe. The ring occurs when you smoke meat over a long period of time; the pink is where the smoke has permeated the meat.

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE in Naples

4519 Tamiami Trail E., Naples 239-732-8392 738 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral 239-347-7033 www.texastonys.com

April 2020 - 51

KEY WEST

Pigeon Key, the one-time base camp for the workers that constructed Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad is both an educational center and a visitor attraction featuring a small museum that pays homage to the railroad that opened in January 1912 and ceased operations in September 1935. Flagler's original Seven Mile Bridge bisects the island on the right, while today's modern day bridge is on the left. Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Florida Keys closed to visitors

Florida Keys officials have temporarily closed the destination to visitors until further notice due to coronavirus concerns. Throughout the 125-mile-long island chain, lodging businesses and tourism-related entities — including hotels, attractions, beaches, fishing piers, boat ramps and parks — are temporarily closed.

To restrict road access to non-residents, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is implementing southbound traffic stops at mile marker 112.5 on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway (U.S. 1), and on State Road 905 between Ocean Reef and the access point to U.S. 1 in Key Largo. The stops began Friday, March 27.

Only residents, property owners and those involved in work in the Florida Keys, including fuel tankers, delivery and grocery trucks, will be admitted. Officials advise there may be delays at checkpoints.

“We know that closing down the tourism industry is a major inconvenience for our visitors,” said Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers. “But the health and safety of our visitors and residents are paramount.

“We certainly hope our visitors will return to the Keys once the coronavirus crisis has passed,” she added. "We will be so

52 - April 2020

thrilled to welcome people back."

Officials are to re-evaluate the tourism closures and make changes when appropriate.

The Florida Keys & Key West continue to follow officiallymandated directives of federal state, county and city agencies including the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida Department of Health, and State of Florida Governor’s Office Executive Orders.

Despite the lodging closure, long-term renters in vacation homes and recreational vehicle parks who are presently in the Keys, and have contracts of 28 days or longer, are allowed to stay until the end of their contracts.

There are confirmed coronavirus cases in the Keys, according to Bob Eadie, administrator and health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County.

The Florida Department of Health has launched a COVID19 dashboard, updated daily at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. The resource includes data for the Florida Keys’ Monroe County.

The Florida Keys website at fla-keys.com offers destination-specific information on the coronavirus situation and tourism closures. It is updated daily or more frequently as needed.

Happenings Magazine

Numerous changes made to the island concert schedule

Rams Head Presents – Key West has announced some changes to its concert series at different venues on the island.

Postponed concerts include Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin on April 4, The Temptations on April 5, 38 Special on April 10, The Revivalists on April 18 & Old Dominion on May 5.

The Mavericks are still scheduled to perform May 31 at the Sunset Green Event Lawn.

Rebelution with The Green, Steel Pulse, Keznamdi and DJ Mackle at The Coffee Butler Key West Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront is still on the schedule for June 14.

Fifteen years into an effervescent career, California reggae band and touring juggernaut Rebelution remains abundantly creative. Its members (singer/guitarist/lyricist Eric Rachmany, keyboardist Rory Carey, drummer Wesley Finley, and bassist Marley D. Williams) are as focused and committed as they are easy-going and laid-back.

Slightly Stoopid, with Pepper, Common Kings and Don Carlos will perform at the amphitheater on Aug. 1.

For tickets and info, visit www.keywestconcertseries.com or www.thekeywestamp.com

UPCOMING EVENTS Mango Fest

Annual Songwriters Festival postponed

The 25th annual showcase of musical magic features America’s foremost performing songwriters, with concerts staged in intimate, audience-friendly island settings.

The largest festival of its kind in the world celebrates 25 years as both a tourist attraction and favorite of island locals. The festival revolves around five days and nights of big stars in intimate settings, introducing audiences to the faces, voices and stories behind the songs. Most of the festival shows are free to enter. The shows that require advance ticket purchase will be announced at a later date. keywestsongwritersfestival.com Happenings Magazine

Rebelution - June 14

IN

June 25 - 28 Mango Fest of Key West features all things mango including mango tasting, mango trees and mango daiquiris. The culinary competitions between local chefs and residents alike showcases the colorful abilities of what the mango, also known as the king of fruit, has to offer. The Vendor Village gives art collectors and foodies the experience of a festival atmosphere. Music is provided along with live radio broadcasts. From 10AM to 3PM, Bayview Park, 1400 Truman Ave. www.mangofestkeywest.com

Swim Around Key West

June 20 The officially sanctioned event is a 12.5mile swim clockwise around the island of Key West that is open to all age groups. Individual swimmers and relay teams can compete. The route takes swimmers through the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, ending where they began at Higgs Beach. www.swimaroundkeywest.org

KEY WEST Key Lime Festival

July 2 - 6 A wacky talent show, pie-eating and cooking contests and other tasty temptations await Key West visitors during the annual Key Lime Festival. Four days of culinary events for every taste are planned, including favorites from past years like the Key Lime Cocktail Sip & Stroll, and new favorites for Key Lime lovers like The Key Lime Pie Hop. www.keylimefestival.com

Key West Lobsterfest

Aug. 6 - 9 This annual flavorful festival celebrates the Aug. 6 start of the Florida Keys lobster season with a long weekend of tasty events, highlighted by an open-air lobster feast on the island’s famed Duval Street. Events include a Thursday night lobster boil, Friday night Duval Crawl, Saturday street fair with lobster-inspired culinary creations and a free concert, and a luscious lobster brunch Sunday. www.keywestlobsterfest.com April 2020 - 53