Naples • FortMyers • CapeCoral • PortCharlotte • BonitaSprings MARCH2023 FREE GODivas:SongsofIreland • SanibelMusicFestival CHARLIE MCCOY COUNTRY MUSIC HALLOF FAME THE ROUGH &TUMBLE RICHARD SMITH RECKLESS SAINTS
Lovethetheatre
Whodoesn’tlovelivetheatre. There’sjustsomethingsomesmerizingandcaptivatingaboutexperiencingatheatricalproduction.Asweare intheheightofseason,wehavean abundanceoftheatrical optionsallover SouthwestFlorida. Withoutanyfurtherdelay, let’sraisethecurtainon what’sonstagethis month...
TheDivineSisterison stageMarch23-April2 atMoeAuditoriumin BonitaSprings.
FloridaRephas extendedtherununtil March11forThe ImportanceofBeingEarnest.Thatis beingperformedintheArtStage StudioTheatreinFortMyers.
TheatreZonepresentsNeil Simon’sTheGoodbyeGirlMarch919attheG<heatreinNaples.
InCapeCoral,CulturalPark Theatergivesusthehitmusical GreaseMarch9-19.
BroadwayPalmpresentsJersey BoysnowthroughApril9.
TheGulfCoastSymphonygives usGypsyMarch17and18atthe BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts HallatFSWinFortMyers.
GOLDTheatricalspresents AmericanMonsterMarch3and4at FortMyersTheatre.
InNaples,Camelotcontinues throughMarch12.TheGulfshore PlayhouseproductionisatTheNorris Center.
SweeneyTodd:TheDemonBarber ofFleetStreetplaysnowthrough March11atLaboratoryTheaterof FloridainFortMyers.
TheNaplesPlayerspresentsThe SoundofMusicMarch1throughApril 2inBlackburnHall.
JoeyandMaria’sComedyItalian WeddingplaysMarch11and25and April1attheBonitaEsteroElks.
TheCharlottePlayersgiveus MurderonTheOrientExpressMarch 13throughApril2attheLangdon PlayhouseinPortCharlotte.
TheatreConspiracyisstagingThe Hatmaker’sWifeMarch16-26atthe
AlliancefortheArtsinFortMyers.
GulfshorePlayhouseendsthe monthwithNeilSimon’sBarefootin theParkplayingMarch25through April16atTheNorrisCenterin Naples.
FloridaRepertory TheatrewillpresentRing ofFireMarch24-April 23intheHistoricArcade Theatreindowntown FortMyers.
ForeverPlaidruns throughMarch11atthe MusicandArts CommunityCenterin FortMyers.
Doublewide,Texasis playingnowthroughApril 9intheOffBroadway PalmTheatreinFortMyers.
PlayersCircleTheatrepresents TheCocktailHourMarch14-April2 inNorthFortMyers.
Moreconcerts
NationalrecordingartistsareflockingtoSWFloridaforsomeliveconcertsindoorsandoutside.
AtSeminoleCasinoHotelin Immokalee,TheTexasTenorswill perform(indoors)March3.KC&The SunshineBandandEvelyn “Champagne”KingwillperformMarch 18(outdoors).WillyChirinoandTito PuenteJr.performMarch25(outdoors)andtheSouthlandBluegrass FestivalfeaturingRickySkaggswill takeplaceApril1(outdoors).
AtTheRanchConcertHalland SalooninFortMyers,theSam GallowayFordConcertSerieswelcomesTracyLawrenceonMarch3, CreedFisheronMarch10,Priscilla BlockonMarch17,MattStellon March25,CooperAlanonApril1, ChrisCagleonApril8,EastonCorbin onApril14&AshlandCraftApril21.
TheCaloosaSoundAmphitheater inFortMyershostLittleRiverBand onMarch8andStarshipfeaturing MickeyThomasonApril2.
TheCapeCoralSoundsofJazz andBlueswelcomesMindiAbairand DamonFowleronMarch25atthe CoralOaksGolfCourse.
Rockon, Jamie
4-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine Publisher’s Spotlight HappeningsA&EMagazine isowned,published &distributedmonthlyinLee,CollierandCharlotte countiesby KMKPublishingInc Publishers&Owners Jamie&KathyKuser (239)278-5236 swfHappenings@earthlink.net HappeningsMagazine.net NEWMAILINGADDRESS: 14520FarringtonWay#103, FortMyers,FL33912 Contributors: JoyUrsillo,BobWilliams Advertisingsales: JamieKuser&LisaDoyle-Mitchell Distribution: AleyEnterprises INTHISISSUE 6 20 44 68 theatre art music dining
TheImportanceofBeingEarnest atFlorida’sRepArtStageStudioTheatre
FloridaRepertoryTheatre’s25th anniversaryseasoncontinueswiththe classiccomedy,TheImportanceofBeing EarnestbyOscarWilde.
Thelivetheatreproductionisbeing stagedintheArtStageStudioTheatre nowthroughMarch11.
TheImportanceofBeingEarnestfollowstwocarefreebachelorsin1895 Londonwholeadcarefullyhiddendouble lives.Whenonegentlemandiscoversthe other’sruse,hetakesadvantageofthe informationandtravelstothecountryto causeabitoflight-heartedmischief. Sillinessensueswhenanindomitable dowager,awhimsicalingénue,asociety lady,agoverness,andaclericare caughtupinawhirlwindofmistaken identities,hystericalmisunderstandings, andanunexpectedlovetriangle.
“Wilde’scomedyclassicsparkleswith
dazzlingwordplayandhilarioussituations,”saidproducingartisticdirector GregLongenhagen.“Theplayisstaged intheroundintheintimateArtStage StudioTheatreplacingtheaudience smackinthemiddleoftheactionasour castbringsthisstorytovividlife.”
TheImportanceofBeingEarnest starsensemblememberDavidBreitbarth (IncidentatOurLadyofPerpetualHelp) andreturningguestartistsChase Brackett(AndThenThereWereNone), CarolHalstead(IntotheBreeches!), JakeMurphy(HayFever),Jan Neuberger(IntotheBreeches!)andSeth RobertPatterson(AndThenThereWere None),withTalleyGale,EllaOlesenand MaxRollmakingtheirFloridaRep debuts.
FloridaRepensemblememberChris ClavellireturnsafterdirectingIncidentat
OurLadyofPerpetualHelpearlierthis season.Heisjoinedbyanexpertcreativeteamincludingsetdesigner KimberlyV.Powers(MorningAfter Grace),costumedesignerStefanie Genda(Ripcord),lightingdesignerTodd O.Wren(AndThenThereWereNone), sounddesignerKatieLowe(Ripcord) andensemblestagemanagerJanine Wochna(AndThenThereWereNone).
CurtaintimesareTuesday–Saturday at7p.m.,Thursday,Saturdayand Sundayat2p.m.FloridaRep'sparking lotopenstwohoursbeforeeachperformanceandoffersguestsfreeparking acrossthestreetfromtheArcade TheatreonBayStreetindowntownFort Myers.
Forticketscalltheboxofficeat239332-4488ortoll-freeat877-787-8053or visitwww.floridarep.org.
T HEATRE 6-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
CarolHalsteadandTalleyGaleinTheImportanceofBeingEarnest. photobyJoeDafeldecker
Grease,Elvistribute atCulturalParkTheater
ByMarkFleming
Somanyfolksarestill dealingwithchallengesasa resultofthehurricane.We areaskingthateachpatron bringadonationofcanned goods,non-perishablefood itemsoranew,unwrapped toytoeveryperformance. Thesedonationswillbedistributedtomembersofthe communitywhoarestill struggling.
ThehitBroadwaymusical Greaseopensliveonour stageMarch9andruns throughMarch19.
PerformancesareThursdays, FridaysandSaturdaysat7 p.m.andSundaysat3p.m. Tocelebrateallthatis Grease,aVintageCar SpecialEventisscheduled forMarch12fromnoon–3 p.m..Withthenewly-landscapedCulturalParkasa backdrop,enjoythedisplay ofvintagecarsaswellas “HorseEyedJake’s”food truck,servingupsomeofthe bestinSWFloridatruckfood.
DavidMorinandhistributetoElvis&otherLegends returnstoourlivestageon March24and25at7p.m. andMarch26at3p.m.Food trucksarescheduledforall hisappearances–visitour websitetoseewhichofyour favoritesarecoming.
OurRelaunched BroadwaySeriescontinues withPrivateLivesMay11–21andCrimesoftheHeart scheduledforJune1–11.
SummerCamp2023registrationiscurrentlyopenfor ourSummerCamp2023sessions.Weofferaone-week masterclassbeginningJune 12,andourregularsessions beginJune19withThe SpongebobMusical,Youth Edition,followedbyWillie WonkaJrbeginningJuly3 andourfinaltwo-weeksessionisAladdinJr.beginning
July17.Tuitionforeachsessionis$365.Callthebox officetoregisteryour7-14 yearoldtoday!
Haveaspecialevent, birthday,officeparty, fundraisingeventcomingup? Ournewreceptionspaces areavailabletomakeyour nextgatheringamorememorableevent.Contactthetheaterfordetails.
FoodTrucksOnsitefor EveryPerformanceWiththe newly-landscapedgroundsof CulturalParkasabackdrop, wewillbefeaturingsomeof SWFlorida’sbestfoodtrucks duringeachperformance. FavoritessuchasDave’s NeapolitanPizza,SkewU FoodTruck,DoubleDee’s andCosmicCupcakesare justafewthatarescheduled. Visitourwebsitefordetails onwhenyourfavoritewillbe here!
Asweallcontinuetobattletheeconomicissues causedbytheongoingCovid pandemic,wehavelowered ourticketpricestomake attendinglivetheatermore affordableforeveryone!Start planningyourentertainment calendarnow!Useourwebsitetoorderonlineorcallfor yourticketstoday.
Visitusatculturalparktheater.com/online-ticket-sales, orusetheconvenientorder ticketsnowbuttonsoneach eventwebpage.
Free,convenientparking isalwaysavailableatCultural ParkTheater.
TheCulturalParkTheater islocatedat528Cultural ParkBlvd.inCapeCoral.
Calltheboxofficefor moreinformationat239-7725862orvisitonlineat CulturalParkTheater.com
MarkFlemingisexecutive directoroftheCulturalPark TheatreCompany.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-7
AmericanMonsterlooksattrue crimeMarch3&4inFortMyers
GoldTheatricalsiscontinuingtobringunique stageofferingsto SouthwestFlorida.They aretakingtruecrimeoff thescreenandputtingit rightonstagewith AmericanMonster,an interactiveandmultimedia presentationbyJeff Mudgett.
Mudgettisaselftaught investigativeauthor,moldedfroma lifethathasseenhimcarrymany titles.FrombeingaMerchantMarine totrialattorneytobusinessowner, Jeffhaddecidedtoleaveallthe adventurebehindwhenafamily secretwasrevealedtohim…heis thegreat-greatgrandsonof America’smostprolificserialkiller, H.H.Holmes.
Jeffwasimmediatelyhookedand usinghisinvestigativeskillsbeganto diveintohisownfamilyhistory-a historyfarstrangerthanthemany showsthathavedaredtellit,claim.
Inthistheatricalpresentation, Mudgettwilltakeyouonaninteractiveandcompellingtripthroughthe
evidencegatheredsincethe initialfamilyrevelation, includingswearingattendeesinasthejury.He intendstoexposetruthsto audiences,withirrefutable evidence,thatH.H.Holmes mayhaveverywellbeen JackTheRipper.Therewill beaquestionandanswer sessionaftertheshowas well.
Ifyouarealoveroftruecrime,a historybuff,orjustsomeone intriguedbymystery,grabyourticketstoday.Sobringyourpartnerin “crime”andbecomeimmersedinthe mysterythatcaughttheattentionof TheHistoryChannelandHuluwhois creatingaMartinScorcesedirected seriesbasedonH.H.Holmes.
AmericanMonsterispresentedby GoldTheatricalsattheFortMyers Theatre,16120SanCarlosBlvd,unit 5A,inFortMyers.Ticketsareonsale nowandtherearetwoshowsto choosefrom:March3&4at7:30 p.m.Ticketscanbepurchasedat www.goldtheatricals.comor www.ftmyerstheatre.com
DoublewideatOffBroadwayPalm
TheOff BroadwayPalm
Theatrepresents Doublewide, Texasplayingnow throughApril9.
FromthewritersofThe SavannahSipping SocietyandThe DixieSwimClub, youwon’twantto missthislaugh-out-loud,Southernfriedcomedy.
Inthishilarious,fast-pacedcomedy,theinhabitantsofoneofthe smallesttrailerparksinTexasare thrownforaloopwhentheyrealize thenearbytownofTugalooisdeterminedtoannexthem.Watchthese colorfulresidentsasthedealwith everydaytrialsandworkonvarious waystosavetheirlittlecommunity.In Doublewide,Texas,lifeisdoublethe fun,doublethejoy,anddoublethe laughter
JodiBensonstarsin GypsyMarch17&18
JointheGulfCoast SymphonyonSunday,March 17and18forGypsyThe MusicalattheBarbaraB.Mann PerformingArtsHallatFSW. ThemusicalstarsJodi BensonasMommaRose.Best knownasthevoiceofArielin Disney’sTheLittleMermaid, theveteranactresswasTony nominatedforBestActressin themusicalCrazyforYou.
Thegroundbreaking1959 musicalincludesmusicbyJuleStyne,lyricsby StephenSondheimandbookbyArthurLaurents. BasedonmemoirsofstripteaseartistGypsyRose Lee,theshowfocusesonhermother,Rose,whose nameissynonymouswith“theultimateshowbusinessmother.”
Showtimeis7:30p.m.bothdays.Ticketsrange form$45to$69.Fortickets,call239-481-4849or visitonlineatgulfcoastsymphony.org.
BestofBroadwayhits PuntaGordaonApril8
Directing Doublewide, TexasisOff BroadwayPalm artisticdirector PaulBernier.The castincludes ChanceCintron, KayFrancis,ML Graham,Jim Heffernan,Rachel Lord,Ken Quiricone,VanessaSchoof,Donna SchulteandJennySmith.
TheOffBroadwayPalmisanintimatetheatre,locatedinthemain lobbyofBroadwayPalm. PerformancesareTuesdaythrough Sundayeveningswithselectmatinees.Ticketpricesrangefrom$50to $70withdiscountsavailablefor groupsof20ormore.Ticketsare nowonsaleandcanbereservedby calling239-278-4422,visiting BroadwayPalm.comorinpersonat 1380ColonialBlvd.inFortMyers.
GoldTheatricalsisbringingthepremierCountertenor TerryBarberforanightof songwiththehitsof BroadwaygiantAndrewLloyd WebbertotheCharlotte PerformingArtsCenter. Standingovationswill punctuatetheeveningwith songslike“TheMusicofthe Night”fromPhantomofthe Opera,thegut-wrenching “Gethsemane”fromJesusChristSuperstar, “Memory”fromCats,“LoveChangesEverything” fromAspectsofLoveandothershitsfrom10of AndrewLloydWebber’smusicals.
PerformingtheseclassicsisGrammyAward nomineeTerryBarberwho’sconsideredoneofthe bestcountertenorsintheworld.Terryaformer memberofthetwo-timeGrammyAwardwinning groupChanticleersingsin14differentlanguages andhasperformedworldwide.
HehasperformedfortheMetropolitanOpera,at CarnegieHallandMoscow‘sSvetlanovHalljustto nameafew.Hisvoicecanbeheardoneverymajor recordlabelwithavarietyofartistsfromMadonna totheLondonPhilharmonic.
ThisshowisApril8at7p.m.attheCharlotte PerformingArtsCenter,701CarmalitaSt.inPunta Gorda.Ticketsare$39andcanbepurchasedat www.goldtheatricals.comor800-514-ETIX(3849).
T HEATRE 8-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
JeffMudgett
JodiBenson
TerryBarber
GulfshorePlayhouse:Camelot
GulfshorePlayhousepresentsLerner andLoewe’sCamelotnowthrough March12attheNorrisCenter,7558th AvenueS.,Naples.
Returnforabriefandshining momenttoexperiencethebelovedclassicmusical,Camelot.Theoriginal1960 musicalbasedonthelegendofKing Arthurandhisknightsoftheroundtable andadaptedfromtheT.H.Whitenovel TheOnceandFutureKing,isnowa sparklingandwinninglyfast-pacedrendition.
WithoriginalbookandlyricsbyAlan JayLernerandmusicbyFrederick Loewe,thisfreshadaptationbymultiEmmyAward-winningDavidLeealso featuresneworchestrationsbySteve Orich.
Whilethebookisupdated,themost cherishedelementsofthestoryremain: theromantictrianglebetweenArthur, GuenevereandLancelot;thequestfor democracyandjustice;thenostalgic wishfortheworldtobeasitoncewas; andthegorgeousscoreofwell-known titlesincluding“IfEverIWouldLeave You,”“TheLustyMonthofMay,”andthe
titlesong“Camelot.”Eightactorsgive lifetothisenchanting,romantictale,featuringalushscorecreatedbythegenius
duobehindMyFairLadyalltocreatean unforgettablenightatthetheatre.
Atthehelmofthisproductionis directorJeffreyBinder,whopreviously servedasassociateartisticdirectorat GulfshorePlayhouse.
Thecastofprofessionalactorsand oneyouthactorincludesChristianaCole (Off-BroadwayAnEnchantedApriland upcomingBroadwayTheDevilWears Prada)asReveler,OliviaHernandez (TUTSMaryPoppinsandTheGuthrie GuysandDolls)asGuenevere,TyGabrielJones(Disney’sTheLittle Mermaid)asReveler,JeffreyKringer (Off-BroadwayAboutLove,Milwaukee RepTitanic)asArthur,DanielLopez (HollywoodBowlIntotheWoods)as Lancelot,KevinPatrickMartin(Gulfshore PlayhouseMyFairLady,Broadway JerseyBoys)asReveler,AidenThayer (age14,NaplesPlayersMaryPoppins) asTom,andEthanZeph(CitySprings TheatreCompanyWestSideStory)as Mordred/Reveler.
Ticketscanbeorderedonlineat gulfshoreplayhouse.orgorbyphoneat 239-261-PLAY.
T HEATRE 10-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
OliviaHernandezasGuenevereand DanielLopezasLancelotinCamelot. PhotobyMatthewSchipper.
SweeneyTodd atLaboratoryTheater
TheLaboratoryTheaterof FloridapresentsStephen Sondheim’sTony-andOliverwinningmusicalSweeney Todd:TheDemonBarberof FleetStreetnowthrough March11.
SweeneyTodd,anunjustly-exiledbarber,returnsto 19thcenturyLondon,seeking vengeanceagainstthelecherousjudgewhoframedhim andravagedhisyoungwife. Theroadtorevengeleads ToddtoMrs.Lovett,a resourcefulproprietressofa failingpieshop,abovewhich heopensanewbarberpractice.Mrs.Lovett'slucksharply shiftswhenTodd'sthirstfor bloodinspirestheintegration ofaningredientintohermeat piesthathasthepeopleof Londonliningup...andthe carnagehasonlyjustbegun.
WiththebookbyHugh Wheeler,themusicandlyrics arebyStephenSondheim.It isbasedonthe1973playof thesamenameby ChristopherBond.
SweeneyTodd:The DemonBarberofFleetStreet featuresDaveRode (SweeneyTodd),MaryAnne McKerrow(Mrs.Lovett),
SharonTrue(Ensemble,doublesasMrs.Lovett),Lauren Miller(BeggarWoman), CameronRogers(Anthony), GabrielleLansden(Johanna), TraceMeier(JudgeTurpin), JackWeld(BeadleBamford), StevenMichaelKennedy (AdolfoPirelli),RiverReed (Tobias),JohnMcKerrow (JonasFogg).Theensemble includesRylandDingman, JosephBostic,MarkKing, BrithanyHernandez,Nyx Rasner,CindyMalley,Angela M.Thomas,KenRuisi,Laelon Thomas,NyxRasner,and ArianaMilian.
PaulGraffydirectstheliocalproduction.Musicdirection isbyRozMetcalf,andassistantdirectorisMadelaine Weymouth.
Remainingperformance datesareFeb.24,25and March2,3,4,9,10,11at8 p.m.MatineeswillbepresentedFeb.26andMarch5at2 p.m.Fortickets,callthebox officeat239-218-0481or onlineatwww.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
LaboratoryTheaterof Floridaislocatedat1634 WoodfordAve.indowntown FortMyers.
MaryAnneMcKerrowasMrs.LovettandDaveRode asSweeneyTodd. photobyJamieKuser
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-11
JoeyandMaria’sComedyItalianWedding
JoeyandMaria’sComedyItalian Weddingisaninteractivedinnershow thatbeganin1992.
WrittenbyDarlyneFranklin,formerly DarlyneDorato,anativeEast Bostonian,nowfulltimeresidentof BonitaSprings.
Theshowwasderivedfromher observinghowbackinthe1990’speopleenjoyedthetrendingmurdermysteriesandkaraoke.MerginghercomedyandTVwritingexperienceshe decidedtowriteanItaliancomedy wedding.Aneventwheretheaudienceispartofthe show,they’retheinvitedguests,theydance,drink,eat, minglewitheachotherandthebridalparty.
Believing“it’sbesttowritewhatyouknow,”shemade theshowlikeherownfamiliestraditionalweddings,Italian. AteveryItalianwedding,thedadchoosesthemusic,the unclesingsMacktheKnife,thegroomsmanmakesa revealingtoastaboutthegroom,theNonnasingsthe wronglyricstoCellaluna,someoneoverdrinks,someone getsa“weekendpassfromjail”fromthegovernor,you know,aregularItalianwedding!It’sablast.
Ithasruninover19majorcitiesacrosstheU.S.includingLasVegas,BostonandNewYork.Itisalsoplayedin
othercountries,TheU.K.,Greece,Ireland,Australiaand Canada.
Joey&Maria’sComedyWeddingplaysMarch11,25 andApril1atTheBonitaEsteroElks,3231CoconutRoad. Ticketsare$65andincludedinner.
Forticketsandinfo,call1-888-562-7537orvisitonline atcomedyitalianwedding.com
T HEATRE 12-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
PaulFranklinistheoriginalJoey.HebeganplayingJoey inMiddleton,Mass.,backin1992andcontinuestodayas “TonyCavatelli”fatherofthebride.
Darlyne Franklin
MurderonTheOrient ExpressinCharlotte March13-April2
TheCharlottePlayerspresent MurderonTheOrientExpressMarch 13–April2attheLangdon Playhouse.
AgathaChristie'smostpopular play,MurderonTheOrientExpress, beginsjustaftermidnightwhena snowdriftstopstheOrientExpressin it'stracks.Theluxurioustrainissurprisinglyfullforthetimeoftheyear, butbymorningitisonepassenger fewer.
AnAmericantycoonliesdeadin hiscompartment,stabbedadozen times,hisdoorlockedfromtheinside. Isolatedandwithakillerintheir midst,thepassengersrelyondetectiveHerculePoirottoidentifythemurderer-incaseheorshedecidesto strikeagain.
TheLangdonPlayhouseislocated at1182MarketCircleinPort Charlotte.
Forticketsandinfo,call9410-2551022orvisitwww.charlotteplayers.org
JerseyBoysatBroadwayPalm
BroadwayPalmpresentsthe regionaltheatrepremiereof JerseyBoysplayingnow throughApril9.
WinnerofBestMusicalat boththeTonyAwardsand OlivierAwards,gobehindthe musicofFrankieValliandThe FourSeasonswithJersey Boys.
Discoverthesecretofa40yearfriendshipasfourblue-collarkidsworktheirwayfromthe streetsofNewJerseyto becomeoneofpop-musichistory’sgreatesttriumphs.
Audienceswillbethrilledwith electrifyingperformancesof chart-toppinghitsincluding “Sherry,”“BigGirlsDon’tCry,” “Can’tTakeMyEyesOffYou,” “Dawn,”“MyEyesAdoredYou”andmanymore.
PerformancesareTuesdaythroughSundayeveningswithselectmatinees. Ticketsare$65to$95withchildrenandgrouppricesavailable.Ticketsarenowon saleandcanbereservedbycalling239-278-4422,byvisitingBroadwayPalm.comor bystoppingbytheboxofficeat1380ColonialBlvd.inFortMyers.
Pleasenote:Thismusicaldoesusestronglanguagenottypicallyusedonthe BroadwayPalmstage.Theshowalsocontainssmoking,gunshots,drugreferences, andsexualsituationsnotsuitableforyoungeraudiencemembers.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-13
NeilSimon’sTheGoodbyeGirl atTheatreZoneMarch9-19
TheatreZonecontinuestoexplore romancewiththeaward-winningNeilSimon musicalcomedyTheGoodbyeGirlinNaples March9-19,aspartoftheprofessionaltheatrecompany’s“Romantics&Rockers”2023 lineup.
The12-productionruntakesplaceinthe G<heatrelocatedonLivingstonRoad betweenPineRidgeandVanderbiltBeach roads,onthecampusoftheCommunity SchoolofNaples.
“TheGoodbyeGirlisamusicaladventure aboutromanticdisappointments,triumphs, loveandcommitment,”saysTheatreZone’s foundingartisticdirectorMarkDanni,who selectedSimon’smusicalcomedyfor TheatreZone’s18thseason.
TheGoodbyeGirlisNeilSimon’s1993 adaptationofhisAcademyAward-nominated 1977filmstarringMarshaMasonand RichardDreyfus,whowontheAcademy AwardforBestActorforhisroleinthefilm. TheBroadwayproductionstarredMartin ShortandBernadettePetersandreceived fiveTonyAwardnominationsandwonthe DramaDeskAwardforoutstandingscorefor amusical.
ThemusicwascomposedbythelegendaryMarvinHamlisch(AChorusLine)with lyricsbyDavidZippel(CityofAngels)tocreateascorethatincludesthevibrant“ABeat Behind,”theemotionallycharged“IThinkI CanPlayThisPart”andthewitty“Elliott GarfieldGrant.”
TheGoodbyeGirl’splotcentersona strugglingactor,ElliotGarfield,whosubletsasmall Manhattanapartment.Thetwist?Theapartmentisalready
TheatreConspiracyattheAlliancefor theArtswillpresentTheHatmaker’s WifeMarch16-26.
FirstpremieringOff-Broadwayin 2013,thiswhimsicalplayhasmadeits waytoourveryownFouldsTheatrein FortMyers.
Theexpression,“ifthesewallscould talk,”comestrueforayoungwoman whomovesintoanoldhomewithher boyfriend.Expectingtobehappyliving together,thecouplefinditlessthanideal andsoonthewomanhearsawallspeakingtoherandbeginsreceivingnotes.It appearsthewallwantstohelpthiscou-
occupiedbyarecentlyjiltedandunemployeddancer,PaulaMcFadden,andher precociousyoungdaughter,Lucy.Themusicalexplorestheprogressionoftherelationshipsbetweenthecharactersastheystrive forsuccessfulshowbusinesscareers.
NewYorkCity-basedtalentwastapped forthetwoleadroles.StephanieBishop,a formerRadioCityRockette,plays,appropriately,theroleofdancerPaulaMcFadden. MatthewKrob,aprolificperformerofstage andscreen,isdown-on-his-luckElliot Garfield.
Makingafifthstarturnonthe
TheatreZonestageisKylieGustasLucy McFadden.Gustisaneighthgradestudent atCommunitySchoolofNaplesandhas beenmentoredbyTheatreZoneco-founders MarkandKarenDannisinceshewas8 yearsold.Theyoungstarperforms,records andproducesmusicandhasalready releasedtwoalbums.
PaigeMiles,a2010AmericanIdolfinalist andformerCommunitySchoolofNaplesstudent,playsMrs.Crosby,themanagerofthe apartmentbuildingwheremuchofthe show’sactiontakesplace.
Thecomedyadventurewillbedirectedby MarkDanni,choreographedbyKarenMolnar Danni,withmusicdirectionbyFlintHawes. Showtimesareat7:30p.m.March9-12 andMarch16-19,withmatineeperformancesat2p.m.March11-12&March18-19.
Ticketsrangefrom$50to$85.Fortickets andinformation,visitwww.Theatre.Zoneor calltheboxofficeat888-966-3352ext.1.TheatreZoneis locatedat13275LivingstonRoad,Naples.
plebysharingthestoryoftwoformer residents,ahatmakerandhiswife.The hatmakerisupsetabouthislong-sufferingwifeleavinghimafterdecadesof marriageaswellasthelossofhis favoritehat.Butthere’sareasonforthis bizarrecommunicationandstoriesabout truelovenevergetold.
Thisplaywillhaveyoubelievingin thepossibilityoftranscendingworlds whereloveandfamilywillalwaysremain themostimportantaspectsoflife.
Ticketsare$25formembers,$30for non-membersandavailableat ArtInLee.orgorbycallingtheboxoffice
at239-939-2787.Performancesare March16–18andMarch23–25at 7:30p.m.andMarch26at2p.m.
TheAlliancefortheArtsislocatedat 1091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers.
T HEATRE 14-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
Stephanie Bishop
Matthew Krob
TheatreConspiracystagesTheHatmaker’sWife
TheSoundofMusicatTheNaplesPlayers
Thehillsarealive!Or,theywillbefrom March1-April2atTheNaplesPlayers.
ThebelovedfinalcollaborationofRodgers andHammerstein,TheSoundofMusic,will finishoutthe2022-2023seasonatTNP,and willbethefinalproductioninBlackburnHall beforethebuildingisrenovated.
Destinedtobecometheworld'smost belovedmusicalbyfeaturingatroveofcherishedsongs,including"ClimbEv'ry Mountain,""MyFavoriteThings,""DoReMi," "SixteenGoingonSeventeen"andthetitle number,TheSoundofMusicwonthehearts ofaudiencesworldwide,earningfiveTony AwardsandfiveOscars.
Theinspirationalstory,basedonthereallifememoirofMariaAugustaTrapp,follows anebullientpostulatewhoservesasgovernesstothesevenchildrenoftheimperiousCaptainvonTrapp,bringingmusicandjoyto thehousehold.ButastheforcesofNazismtakeholdofAustria, MariaandtheentirevonTrappfamilymustescape.
ThisshowistheperfectwaytoclosethecurtainonTNP’scurrentfacility-thenostalgicmusicalofafamilysearchingfortheir placeintheworld.Forsomany,TheNaplesPlayershasbecome thathome.Butitisn'tthephysicallocation-it'sthepeoplewho makeTNPhome.
“TheSoundofMusichasbeenoneofourmostheavilyrequestedshows,”saidBryceAlexander,CEO&executiveartisticdirector.
“Accompaniedbyourlive,15-pieceorchestra,theshowissuretodelightaudiencesandcreateastandardforallofourmusicalsmovingforward.”
DirectedandchoreographedbyDawn LebrechtFornaraandmusicaldirectionby CharlesFornara,TheSoundofMusicfeaturesanallstarcastofcommunitymembersincluding(inalphabeticalorder): KimberlyAlbrecht,LeonardAllen, CassandraBrowning,DedeBrownlee,Ed Conrad,ChristianDinsmore,KatieElkind, SarahGamblin,JanGehrman,Alex Gonzalez,EmilyHart,LinHart,Ashley Kosten,RachelLefkow,JosephLoiacono, ElizabethMarcantonio,PeggyMonson, GavinOtt,KellyRossberg,DonnaRotella, RoseannRuggiero,MattSchwabauer,SueSmith,Vanessa Tarabocchia,NormanToback,MalenaTucker,LindseyWalshand TracyWeaver.EvanAbram,AleenaArico,LukeBrownlee,Braxton Cabrera,RomeoCallari,EmilyCameron,SuriFinch,Daniella Flom,SusanLyell,MadisonMance,SabineRiveraandBealyCate WhiteportraytworotatingcastsoftheVonTrappchildren.Ared carpeteventopentothepublicisslatedforWednesday,March1 from6:30-7:30p.m.andfeatureslocalvendors,food,drinks,and livemusicfromthebandChariot.Additionally,asensoryfriendly performancewillbeheldonMarch14at7:30p.m.
Fortickets,visitNaplesPlayers.orgorcall239-263-7990.
T HEATRE 16-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
FloridaRephonors musicofJohnnyCash
FloridaRepertory Theatre’s25thanniversary seasoncontinueswithRingof Fire:TheMusicofJohnny Cash,createdbyRichard Maltby,Jr.andconceivedby WilliamMeade.
Theproductionrunsinthe HistoricArcadeTheatrefrom March24throughApril23, withdiscountedpreviews March21-23.
RingofFirebringsthe iconicmusicofJohnnyCash tolifethroughmusicand story.Theproductionincludes morethantwodozenclassics like“IWalktheLine,” “EverywhereMan,”“Folsom PrisonBlues”and“Ringof Fire.”
Producingartisticdirector GregLongenhagensays, “RingofFireisacrowdpleasin’,foot-stompin’celebrationofthemaninblack andthemusicthatmadehim alegend.UsingtheCash songbook,themusicaltellsa fascinatingstoryofloveand faith,struggleandsuccess, rowdinessandredemption, andhomeandfamily.”
Theproductionstars returningguestactorsMatt CusackandArmando Gutierrez(Buddy:TheBuddy HollyStory),alongwith MaggieHollinbeck,Allison AnnKelly,andLarryTobias makingtheirFloridaRep debuts.Theensemblecastall playmultiplerolesandmultipleinstrumentstopainta musicalportraitofthe Americanmusiclegend.
FloridaRepassociate artisticdirectorJasonParrish
willdirecttheproductionand isrejoinedbymembersofthe creativeteamthatworkedon lastseason’srecord-breaking productionofBuddy:The BuddyHollyStoryincluding musicaldirectorMattCusack, setdesignerBertScott,choreographerAmyMcCleary, andstagemanagerRuthE. Kramer,pluscostumedesignerKimGriffin(IncidentatOur LadyofPerpetualHelp),lightingdesignerTylerM.Perry (WestSideStory)andsound designerKatieLowe(On GoldenPond).
RingofFire:TheMusicof JohnnyCashwasadapted fromtheBroadwayproduction byRichardMaltby,Jr.and JasonEdwardsandincludes orchestrationsbySteve BishopandJeffLisenbywith additionalarrangementsby DavidAbbinanti.
Singleticketpricesfor RingofFirestartat$69/$63 forregularperformanceson March24throughApril23. Discountedpreviewtickets ($39/$35)areavailableMarch 21-23.Curtaintimesare Tuesday–Saturdayat7 p.m.,Wednesday,Saturday andSundayat2p.m.,and8 p.m.fortheopeningnight performanceonFriday,March 24.FloridaRep'sparkinglot opens2hoursbeforeeach performanceandoffers guestsfreeparkingacross thestreetfromtheArcade Theatre.Ticketsmaybepurchasedonlineatwww.floridarep.orgorbycallingthe boxofficeat239-332-4488or toll-freeat877-787-8053.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-17 Getbackonthedancefloorat Nation’s#1InteractiveDINNERSHOW It’sjustlikegoingtoarealItalianWedding. You’repartof“TheFamily.” Dance,Drink,Mingle,Eatenoughfood tochokeyourbookie!Youmighteven catchthegarterorthebouquet! TICKETSNOWONSALE March11&25 April1,2023 BONITA-ESTEROELKS 3231CoconutRoad,BonitaSprings RSVPToday,call1-888-562-7537 Orvisitus ComedyItalianWedding.com $65perpersonincludesdinner Doorsopen5:30pm Dinnerat6:15pm
ForeverPlaidrunsthroughMarch11 attheMusic&ArtsCommunityCenter
GulfCoastSymphony presentsForeverPlaidnow throughMarch11atthe Music&ArtsCommunity CenterinFortMyers.
ForeverPlaidisoneofthe mostpopularandsuccessful musicalsinrecentmemory. Thisdeliciouslyfunrevueis chock-fullofclassicbarbershopquartetharmoniesand pitch-perfectmelodies!
Onceuponatime,there werefourguys(Sparky, Smudge,JinxandFrankie) whodiscoveredthatthey sharedaloveformusicand thengottogethertobecome theiridols–TheFour Freshman,TheHi-Lo’sand TheCrewCuts.Rehearsing inthebasementofSmudge’sfamily’s plumbingsupplycompany,they became“ForeverPlaid.”
Onthewaytotheirfirstbiggig, the“Plaids”arebroadsidedbya schoolbusandkilledinstantly.Itisat themomentwhentheircareersand
livesendthatthestoryof ForeverPlaidbegins…. Singingincloseharmony,squabblingboyishlyover thesmallestintonationsand executingtheircharmingly outlandishchoreography withoverzealousprecision, the“Plaids”areaguaranteedsmash,withaprogram ofbelovedsongsand delightfulpatterthatkeeps audiencesrollinginthe aisleswhenthey’renot hummingalongtosomeof thegreatnostalgicpophits ofthe1950s.
TheMusic&Arts CommunityCenterislocatedat13411ShireLane, FortMyers(justoffDaniels Parkway).Ticketsare$39to$50. Fortickets,call239-277-1700or onlineatGulfCoastSymphony.org
T HEATRE 18-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine THELABORATORYTHEATEROFFLORIDAPRESENTS www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com239-218-0481 1634WoodfordAve. DowntownFortMyers
MARCH2,3,4,9,10,11 at8pm SWEENEYTODD THEDEMONBARBEROFFLEETSTREET NextonourstagewillbetheSWFLpremiereof PASSOVERMarch31-April15 Matinee: MARCH5 at2p.m.
SponsoredbyTheBireley FamilyFoundation
Annualfine artfestivalin BonitaSpringsMarch4&5
TheCenterforVisualArtsinBonitaSpringswillholditsthirdandfinal nationalartfestivaloftheseasoninMarch.
ThenextBonitaSpringsNationalArtFestivalwillbeheldMarch4and5at RiversidePark,10451Old41Roadin BonitaSprings.
Thejuriedoutdoorfestivalruns10 a.m.to5p.m.bothdays.Theartfestivalisfree,buta$5donationissuggested.
TheCenterforVisualArtsislocatedat26100Old41Road,Bonita Springs.
Formoredetails,call239-495-8989 orvisitwww.artscenterbonita.org
TowerGalleryreopensonSanibelIsland
TowerGalleryreopeneditsdoors tothepublicFeb.15.
Fortunately,thisgallerysuffered onlyminordamageduringHurricane Ian.
Alltheartworkhasbeenre-hung. Thenewhoursforthegalleryare11 a.m.to4p.m.Tuesdaythrough Saturdayuntilfurthernotice.
Thisyearmarksthe41stanniversaryofthisiconicgallerymakingitthe longestrunninggalleryinallofLee County,ifnotSouthwestFlorida.
TowerGalleryisanartists’cooperativeconsistingof23artistsintwodimensionalandthree-dimensional mediumssuchasoil,acrylic,watercolor,photography,ceramic,fiber,
wood,glassandmetal.Thegallery wasfoundedin1982,andmovedto itspresentlocationin1994.Itis housedinaspaciousoriginalFlorida cottage,withCraftsmanelements, thatwasoriginallybuiltonthegulfin 1915andmovedtoitspresentsiteon aflatbedtruck.Thetwo-story turquoisehouseisinitsrepaintedbut originalconstruction.
AribboncuttingwiththeSanibel CaptivaChamberofCommerceis scheduledforMarch2at11:30a.m.
TowerGalleryislocatedat751 TarponBayRoadonSanibelIsland. Formoreinformation,callthe galleryat239-579-0659orvisitonline atwww.towergallery.net.
20-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
ShahHadjebi
A RT
AlaneEnyart
DiannaJ.Dinka
SandraGalloway
SeaGrapeGalleryto reopeninPuntaGorda
TheartistsatSea GrapeGalleryareexcited aboutthereopeningofthe galleryinMarch.
HurricaneIanleft extensivedamagetothe buildingstructureandthe gallery’sinteriorcausing SeaGrapetocloseits doorsforfivemonths. Manyofthefixtureswithin thegalleryweredamaged, howeveralltheartistsare thankfulthatverylittleof theirindividualartwas harmed.
Theartistshavebeen workingveryhardtoget SeaGrapebackopenand areexcitedtoannounce thegallery’sgrandreopeningonMarch9,10and11. Thepublicisinvitedto comeandreunitewiththe artistsandenjoythenew lookofthegallery. Refreshmentswillbe served.
Oneweeklateron March17,18and19from 10a.m.to4p.m.,Sea GrapeGallerywillbehostingtheirAnnualSpring CourtyardSale.Theartists willbeofferingreduced pricesonmuchoftheirartworktomakeroomforthe
NAPLESARTSTUDIOS
AUNIQUEARTISTICEXPERIENCEUNITING3GALLERYSPACES WHICHSURROUNDTHEWORKINGSTUDIOSOFRESIDENTARTISTS
newarttheyhavebeen workingonwhilecloseddue tothehurricane.Visitorswill havetheopportunityto meettheartistsand findgreatvalueon alltypesofunique originalartincluding paintings,jewelry, pottery,basketry, photography,glass andmore.
SeaGrape Galleryislocatedat 113W.MarionAve., PuntaGorda.For moreinformationon SeaGrapeGallery andtheirupcoming events,callthe galleryat941-5751718.Theartworkof allSeaGrape Galleryartistscanbe viewedonlineat seagrapegallery.com.
EVENTDATES
1st WednesdayGalleryOpenings3-7pm March1andApril5
3rd SaturdayGalleryOpenings1-5pm March18andApril15
(Subjecttochange,callsinadvancetoconfirmarerecommended)
CLASSESINTHESTUDIO
Clay:Handbuilding&RakuTechniques
5-weekclass:Mondays6-9pm•TuesdaysorThursdays1-4pm Withaward-winningartistRichardW.Rosen•ReservationsRequired Noexperiencenecessary.Limit5people.$225plusmaterials($50)
AskaboutTracy’sMacrameorCrystalWireWrappingClasses
NAPLESARTSTUDIOS
NaplesArtDistrict-NorthLinePlaza,2172J&CBoulevard,Naples (239)821-1061info@naplesart.studiowww.naplesart.studio
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-21
MelissaBelz Painter
JulieKimball Painter
RichardW.Rosen Sculptor/Painter Founder,NaplesArtDistrict
TracyMagenRosen Painter/MixedMedia
PhilCostello WoodSculptor
SueKrasny
BarbAlbin
KittMoran
JulieGriffin,TracyOwenCullimoreopennewstudio
TwoSouthwestFloridaartistshave joinedforcesandopenedanewstudio neartheintersectionofMcGregor BoulevardandCollegeParkwayinFort Myers.
JulieGriffinandTracyOwenCullimore haveanewartstudioat9280-7College
Parkway…“thenewheARTstudio.”
JulieisanativeofFortMyersanda graduateofFloridaStateUniversitywitha Bachelor’sinFineArtandsupporting minorsinarteducation,marketingandart history.Sheisanoilpainterwhohasspecializedintheacademicmethodofpainting landscapesandportraitureforthepast16 years.ShehastwicebeeninvitedtoThe Louvretopaintofficialcopiesof Masterworksbasedontheoriginals.Julie wasalsoinvitedtoparticipateintheLouvre SalonDeLaCopyistShowinParisin 2012.
ToreachJulie,callforanappointment at239-872-9811orvisitherwebsiteat juliegriffinstudios.com.
Tracypaintsinbothwatermediaandoil, specializinginfigurativeworkandportraits ofanimalsandpeople,andshehappily doescustomcommissionwork.Agraduate oftheUniversityofCaliforniaatSanta Barbara,shereceivedaBachelorofArtsin LiberalArtswithanemphasisinarthistory andeconomics.Hercredentialsinclude extensiveformaltraininginadvertisingand graphicdesignaswellasfineart.Tracy paintsdirectly,allaprima(allatonce)by hand,withouttheaidofdrawingtools.Her
workisconsideredtobeontheborder betweenrealismandimpressionism,as shecapturesmorethantheessenceofher subject.
ToreachArtsyTracy,callforanappointmentat239-822-8838orvisitherwebsite atartsytracy.com.
PeaceRiverNationalArtFestivalMarch18&19
ThePeaceRiverNationalArtFestivalwill beheldMarch18and19from9a.m.to4p.m. inLaishleyParkinPuntaGorda.
Thefestivalwillpresentakaleidoscopeof creativitywhenitconvenesonthebanksof thePeaceRiverinhistoricPuntaGorda.More than60nationallyrecognizedartistswilldisplaytheirworksincludingartglass,fiberarts, jewelry,leathergoods,metalwork,oilpaintings,photography,pottery,sculptures,and watercolor.
Oneoftheparticipatingartiststhisyearis DaniloAlayon.
ThefestivalishostedbytheVisualArts CenterofPuntaGorda,whoservesCharlotte Countyandbeyondwiththree majorgalleries,anextensive artslibrary,anartsupply store,andagiftgalleryof uniquehand-crafteditems.
Thistwo-dayeventdraws over8,000visitorsfrom CharlotteCountyandthesurroundingareas.Thefestival organizersareproudto receiveoutstandingsupport fromtheCityofPuntaGorda toensureasuccessfulevent eachyear.
TheAnnualPeaceRiverNationalArts Festivalbeganin2007,shortlyafterHurricane CharleydevastatedPuntaGordaand CharlotteCounty.Whatbeganasafundraiser torepairtheVisualArtsCenterfacility,has continuedsupportingtheartsinPuntaGorda overthepastdecadeasoursignatureevent. Thisisalwaysafuneventandsomuchto do.Therewillbemusic,food,drinks,andlots ofgreatarttoviewandbuy.TheVisualArt Centerisexcitedtobringthisopportunityto localartistsandtothecommunity.Admission is$5.
Moreinformationisavailableonlineat visualartcenter.org
A RT
22-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
DaniloAlayon
JulieGriffin
TracyOwenCullimore
DaniloAlayon
DAASCo-OpfeaturesartofPiperRudich
InthemonthofMarch,DAASCoOpArtGallery&Giftsisshowcasing theartworkofrenownedtattooand visualartistPiperRudich.
TheopeningreceptionisscheduledforFriday,March3from6to 9:30p.m.inconjunctionwiththe monthlyFortMyersArtWalk.The exhibitionwillbeondisplaythrough April2.
Rudich,whoisaFortMyersnative andlocaltattoobusinessownerof16 years,hasbeenengagedinthearts sinceearlychildhood.Shehasspent mostofherlifeandcareerdrawing, painting,andtattooingportraits. However,therehasn'tbeenamedium orartformthatshehasn'ttouched. Fromoilpainting,digitalworks,tattooing,sculpting,playingthepianoand guitar,tohermostrecentexploration intowildlifeandnaturephotography. Piper'sarthasshiftedandevolved throughouthertwenty-two-year career,butonethinghasremained constant,herdesiretochallengeherselfbytakingnewmediums.
“InthemidstofCovid,andextend-
edquarantineduetoherhigh-riskstatus,Ifoundsolaceinthenatureand wildlifesurroundingmeonmysixacrefarm,”saystheartist,whobegan
photographingthemagnificentcreaturesthatwouldpayhervisitsand provideherwithpeaceamongstthe chaosandsadnessplaguingthe worldduetoCovid,hopingthateach photographcouldcapturethatpeace tosharewithothers.
DAASCo-OpArtGallery&Giftsis locatedat1815FowlerSt.inthe ButterflyEstatescomplexinFort Myers.Thegallery’sbusinesshours areWednesdaytoSundayfrom10 a.m.to3p.m.Moreinformationabout thevenueorhowtobecomeamembercanbefoundatdaascoop.comor bycalling239-590-8645.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-23 ThirdAnnual AiringoftheQuilts SpringFair Saturday,March18 9a.m.-2p.m. FreeAdmission&Parking LeeCounty’sLargest CharitableQuiltSale 5011McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 239-936-1000 FarnersMarketVendors Music•Concessions LocalCraftVendors BounceHouseforKids ChurchOpenHouse
DavisArtCenteroffersHerStory andSalvagedSunshineexhibits
TheSidney&BerneDavisArtCenter announcestwoartexhibitionsopening Friday,March3duringArtWalk.
HerStory,agroupcalltoartistsshow, willbeondisplayinthedownstairsGrand AtriumoftheDavisArtCenter.Upstairsin theCapitalGallery,anexhibitcalled SalvagedSunshinebyartistSamantha Seversonwillbefeatured.
Openingnightforbothexhibitionswill befrom6to10p.m.includinglivemusic underthestarsbytheHotButtered Nuggetsfrom7to11p.m.atSidney’s RooftopSculptureGarden.BothartexhibitionswillbeondisplaythroughMarch24.
HerStoryisanopencallexhibition whereartistswereinvitedtoconsider,interpret,andacknowledgewomen’sexperiencesthroughthelensofart.Participating
artistshavecreatedartworksthat areatoncecelebratoryand thought-provokingaboutthehistoryandempowermentofwomen. Artworks,performancesand installationsrangefromtopicsof inequalityandstereotypesto women'sinternalstrengthand power,allreflectingstrongbonds ofheritageandsharedexperiences.Withuniquenarrativesand viewpointsinalltheindividualstorieswithinHerStory,broader themesfromthestoryofwomanhoodemergeandserveasconversationalpointsofdeparturefor theongoingdiscussionabout whatitistobeawoman,withall thestrugglesandjoystherein.
FeaturedartistSamantha Seversonconsidersherselfa CapeCoralnative,havinglivedin SouthwestFloridasinceshewasachild. Shefondlyrememberstakingartclasses attheAlliancefortheArtsandCape CoralParksandRecreationasachild, andhowmuchherhighschoolart teacher,StephanFrank,hadanimpact onherownteachingphilosophyandoutlookonlife.
Spires
Seversonstartedtocreaterecycled materialsartin2021,collectingfound objects,junkdrawercontents,donated trash,andotherflotsamandjetsamas creativestressrelieffromherdoctoral dissertation.Herfirstworkwasaportrait ofThomasEdisonfortheEdisonFord WinterEstates.Afterwinningthe People’sChoiceAwardintheir SustainableConceptionsShow,shereal-
ArtWalkstheRunway
The11thannualArtWalkstheRunwayfashionshowis SouthwestFlorida’spremiererunwayshowcase.
Thisstar-studdedevent,organizedbyMelissaDeHaven,featureslocal,nationalandinternationaldesignersforatwo-night fashionextravaganzaattheSidney&BerneDavisArtCenter.
Friday’sshowonMarch31willfeaturelocalfashion.Tickets are$30inadvanceand$35atthedoor.Doorsopenat7p.m., andtherunwayshowisat8p.m.
Saturday’sshowonApril1willfeaturedramaticcouturefashion.Ticketsare$45inadvanceand$50atthedoor.Doorsopen at7p.m.,andtherunwaystartsat8p.m.
Visitwww.sbdac.comorcall239-333-1933forticketsand moreinformation.
izedpeopleenjoyedherquirkyartand startedenteringherpiecesintoexhibits acrossSouthwestFlorida.In2022 SeversonearnedherDoctoratein EducationwithanemphasisinAdult Learning.Shenowspendsherfreetime scouringbeachesforshellsandtrashfor herartworkaswellasrecruitingherhusband,Justin,oftennagginghimtosave toothpastecapsandhisYoohoobottletops.
SamanthaSeversonwillbethepresentingartistinstructorfortheSBDAC’sWine& PaintNightWednesday,March15from 6:30to8:30p.m.intheGrandAtrium.
TheSidney&BerneDavisArtCenteris locatedat2301FirstSt.inthehistoric downtownFortMyersRiverDistrict.For moreinfo,call239-333-1933orvisitthe websiteatwww.sbdac.com
A RT 24-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
SamanthaSeverson
ArtsonTapMarch11 atAlliancefortheArts
TheAlliance fortheArts announcedthe returnofitsannualfundraiserArts onTap.
Previously scheduledfor November, HurricaneIan can’tstopthis party.Jointhem onMarch11from 7to10p.m.tomix,mingleandplay pubgameswhileyouliveitupand drinkitdown.
Celebratethispremiertasting eventwithunlimitedsipsandbites fromlocalbreweriesandrestaurants. Thisyear’seventwillfeaturecraft brewsfromCoastalDayzBrewery, HopsizedBrewing,LaBelleBrewing Company,MillennialBrewing Company,Seed&Bean,andSwamp Cat.
Theeventincludesasilentauction
featuringworksof artandunique,one ofakindflasks designedbylocal artistsspecifically forArtsonTap.Also returningisthepopular99Bottles Raffle,whereone luckywinnerwillgo homewith99 Bottles(orCans)of localcraftbeer.
Ticketsare$100andinclude unlimitedtastings.Topurchasetickets ortofindoutmore,call239-939-2787 orvisitArtInLee.org/OnTap.Event proceedssupporttheAllianceforthe Arts,acreativehubthatspursselfexpression,imaginationandindividuality.
SponsorsforthiseventincludeB &I,WilburSmithandPriority PaymentSolutions.Sponsorship opportunitiesarestillavailable,find outmoreatArtInLee.org/OnTap.
AiringoftheQuilts
SpringFairMarch18
ThethirdannualAiringoftheQuilts SpringFairisscheduledforSaturday, March18atSt.Hilary’sEpiscopalChurch inFortMyers.
Theeventwillrunfrom9a.m.to2p.m. Admissionandparkingarefree.
ConsideredtobeLeeCounty’slargest charitablequiltsale,thedaywillinclude localfarmersmarketvendors,music,concessions,localcraftvendors,bouncehouse forkidsandachurchopenhouse.
SaintHilary'sEpiscopalChurchislocatedat5011McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers. Formoredetails,call239-936-1000.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-25 9280-7CollegePkwy,FortMyers•Callforappointment thenew heARTStudio Letushelpyoufindyourart! ArtsyTracy STUDIOS TracyOwenCullimore Artsytracy.com239-822-8838 Artsytracy@gmail.com
AnnualAllFloridaexhibitopens March3atAlliancefortheArts
TheAlliancefortheArtsreceived120 moresubmissionsthantheprevious AnnualAllFloridaJuriedExhibit.Outof over700submissions,thejurorselected 66piecestobeincludedinthe37th installmentoftheAlliance’slongestrunningexhibition.
TheopeningreceptionwillbeMarch3 from5to7p.m.Thefreeeventwillfeaturepiecescreatedbyartistsworkingina widevarietyofmediafromalloverthe stateofFlorida,aswellaslightrefreshmentsprovidedbyJayneBaker.
Theexhibitwillbeondisplayfrom March3-April1at10091McGregor Blvd.FortMyers.
Thejuror,GraceGdaniec,willbeon handduringthegalleryopeningtopresentawardsincluding$1,000cashfor
BestInShow,asecondplacegiftcertificate,$100cashforthirdplaceand Juror'sChoiceAward(s)ofAllianceforthe Artsmembership(s).
Categoriesforentryincludedsculpture,painting(includingoil,acrylic,collage,watercolorandmixedmedia),photography,printsanddrawing.
“Theoverwhelmingresponsetothis calltoartistshasbeensoexciting,”said gallerymanagerEmilyRadomski.We’ve neverreceivedsomanysubmissionsor suchawiderangeofwork.Thecaliberof artworksubmittedshowshowmuchartistictalentthereisinFlorida,we’reso excitedthatwegettodisplayahighlight ofthistalentintheupcomingexhibition.”
Thisyear’sacceptedartistsare PhyllisAbedi,DomenicaAcquarulo, BarbaraBalzer,LindaBehar,AustinBell, StephanieBishop,SarahBlack-Sadler, JerilynBrown,MarthaCantu,Hilda Champion,TaylorCrato,Chandler Culotta,GiampaoloCurreri,DanaDonaty, KimEifrid,KasiaFarkas,AndersFernach, MarineFonteyne,KarlFord,Nelson Garcia,ValerieGhoussaini,MuffyClark Gill,EliseGoldSewall,ArletGomez, AnnaGoraczko,SueGraef,Lisa-Nichol Herd,RobertoHernandez,LindaHugues, Maria-AlejandraIcazaParedes,Dawn InglisMontgomery,DanJensen,Dirce Kennedy,KathleenKinkopf,Wendy KusmaulKeeling,MaryLaGarde,Isabella Lares,DorothaLemeh,EileenLyons, BruceMacKechnie,CherylMaeder, NicoleMaynard,PaulineNguyen,Laura
Nisita,LisetteOteroLewis,Luna Palazzolo,JudyPolstra,Connor Poovey,JoyPurcell,GalalRamadan, GraceRamseyBarbaraRedondo,Joel Shapses,CarlosSierra,DonSilvestri, ClintSleeper,ArlenSmith,Austin Stanbury,ThomasStollar,Jordan Thompson,LisaTracy,LairdVue, ChristopherWeeks,StevenWilliams, EricWilson,AmandaZirzow.
Receptionsandtalksareopento thepublicanddonotrequireticketsor reservations.Whilegalleryadmission isfree,a$5suggesteddonationkeeps Allianceprogrammingaffordableand accessible.Formoreinfo,call239939-2787orvisitArtInLee.org.
BattleoftheBrusheswrapsupMarch24
TheVisualArtsCenterisexcitedto presentthe2022“BattleoftheBrushes.”
Thefinalewaspostponeddueto HurricaneIan.
Theeventiscenteredaroundsixlocal celebrities,pairedwithVisualArtsCenter professionalartiststocreateapieceofcollectibleartwork.Thecelebritywilldoallthe painting,withtheartistcoachproviding insightanddirection.Theteamshavemet, plannedtheirstrategyandstartedpainting theirmasterpieces.
Thecelebritieswillberaisingmoney whiletheycreatetheirmasterpieces.
TheLeaderboardisupdatedtokeep
trackofthedonationsandwhichcelebrity isleadingthe“battle.”TheeventwillconcludewithaGrandFinaleGalaReveal DinnerattheVisualArtsCenterwherethe completedartworkswillbeupforauction, alongwithdinner,drinks,music,anadditionalsilentauctionandmore.
TheFinaleRevealGalaDinnerissetfor March24from6to9p.m.attheVisualArts Center,210MaudSt.,PuntaGorda.
Celebrityartistsare:
Shawn“Dali”GilstadwithThePurple House(matchedwithartistLauraPommier)
Sherri“Raphael”DenniswiththeAnimal WelfareLeague(matchedwithartist
BeverlyYankwitt)
Brett“DaVinci”HawkerwithHeartland PaymentSystems(matchedwithartist coachMairinWilson)
Larry“Picasso”StewartwhoisaVisual ArtsCenterlieftimemember(matchedwith artistBirgitTode)
Matt“VanGogh”NemecwithThe WyvernHotel(matchedwithartistRosalie Mack)and
Pam“J.Mitchell”MonnierwithGrand CarePlus(matchedwithartistSusan Fraley).
Moredetailsareavailableonlineatvisualartcenter.orgorcall941-639-8810
A RT
26-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
StevenWilliams
BarbaraBalzer
ParadiseCoastSportsComplextohost NaplesFineArtShowMarch25-26
InthewakeofhurricaneIan, manyculturaleventsinSouthwest Floridawerecanceled...HotWorks showpromoterPattyNaroznyrealizedthathundredsofartistshadlost homes,studiosandopportunitiesto sellatshows.
Helpingartistsrecoverfrom stormsisn'tnewforNaroznywho hasprovidedexhibitgrantsfor artistsafterearlierstormsandduring Covid.Thestormstoriesarenumerous:InEnglewoodalocaljewelry designershelteredathomewhilehis roofwasrippedoffandlargetrees fellthroughthelivingroomceiling. AnotherartistshelteredintheirRVwhile theirhomewascompletelydestroyed.
EverySWFloridaartisthasbeen impactedinonewayoranother;someare shelteringfamilymembers,whileothersare helpingneighborswithrepairs.Narozny said,"Buyingartatthistimehelpsrestore ourcreativecommunityandsupportthe artistswhomakeSouthwestFloridasucha wonderfulculturaldestinationfortourists andagreatplacetolive."
Oneoftheartistsaffectedbythestorm isAndeeAxe,acontemporarypainter basedinNaples.Andeestudiedfineartsat MooreCollegeofArt,herworktakingon differentformsandstylesovertime. Andee’smostrecentpaintingsuseacrylic andgouachemediums,attimesincorporatingglitterandbeadedelementsfortexture, juxtapositionandabitofpizzazz.Herstyle isbright,colorfulandwhimsical.Herfocus isonthefamiliarandthefamous:scenes andindividualsthatbringjoy,whetherfrom
todayordecadesbeforeus.
Andee’sworkappearsinnumerousprivatecollections,atpop-up eventsandcanbeseeninvarious galleriesorherprivatestudioby appointment.Andeehappilyaccepts commissionsandisthrilledtooffer fanspiecesofartthatwillbringthem joyonadailybasisforyearstocome.
ThephotosrepresentAndee’s currentbodyofwork,whichevolves onadailybasis.Commissionsavailableinavarietyofsizesandprice ranges,inspiredbyanexistingpaintingsoranideathatshecancreate togetherwiththecollector.Sheis flexibleenoughtoworkwithinalmostany budgettocreateapieceyouwillcherishfor decades.Allpaintingsareacryliconcanvas withheavyresin.Somepaintingshave whispersofglitter.
Theartshowwillbehelditsnewhome locatedatParadiseCoastSportsComplex March25and26from10a.m.to5p.m. Admissionisfreewithplentyofparkingfor all(andrealrestrooms),addsNarozny. Moreinfoisavailableatwww.hotworks.org
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-27
AndeeAxe
BonitaSpringsexhibitshowcases architect&artistRichardDiedrich
Inthefirstsoloexhibitionofhisarchitecturalwatercolors,architectandartist RichardJ.Diedrich,FAIApresents18 originalpaintingsofstructuresinBonita Springs,whichprovideadirectandlastingconnectiontothecity’shistoryand distinctcharacter.Diedrichcreatedmost ofthesepaintingsoverthelast12 months.
Diedrichsearches forsuccessfulworks ofarchitectureand depictsthemwith watercoloroncanvas. Fromhistorichomes tomorecontemporary examplesinourcommunity,Diedrich chooseshissubjects basedondesign characteristicsthat cometogetherto makearchitecture appropriatetoits
place.Diedrichencouragesarchitecturalappreciation,restoration andpreservationthroughhiscelebrationofarchitectureandthe contributionshispaintingsubjects havemadetoacommunity.
OnFriday,March10from6to 8p.m.,theVisualArtsCenteris
hostingareceptionandopenhouse fortheexhibition.Concurrentwith thereception,Diedrichwillbesigningcopiesofhislatestbook, PaintingNaplesArchitecture.This coffeetablebookisacompilationof theartist’spaintingsdepictingsome ofthebestexamplesofNaplesarea architecture,bothhistoricandcontemporary.
Theexhibitwillbeondisplay March3-30.TheVisualArtsCenter islocatedat26100Old41Road. Formoredetails,call239-495-898 orvisitonlineatwww.artsbonita.org
A RT 28-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine www.NaplesArtcrafters.com NaplesArtcrafters CoastlandCenterMall 1900TamiamiTrailN.,Naples FreeAdmission&Parking 10amto4pm Saturday,March11th FineArt&CraftsShow
LeeMemorialFirstMethodistChurch,1920
LeitnerHouse,1910,onTerryStreet
COCOgalleriesinNaples& Esteroshowcaselocalartists
Membersofthe SouthwestFlorida WatercolorSociety willbeshowcased March8–29at COCOArtGallery atCoconutPointin Estero.
AlsoinMarch, thegallerywillfeatureartistStacey AnnRoushMarch
11–24andartist UrsulaCappelletti March25–April7.
TheEsterogallerywillhostitsmonthlyreceptiononMarch 8from5to7p.m.at8074MediterraneanDrive(nextto PaneraBread).Call239-949-3073formoredetails.
Meanwhile,theArtCouncilofSouthwestFloridaalsooperatestheCOCOArtGalleryatCoastlandCenterMallin Naples.InMarch,theNaplesgallerywillshowcasemembers oftheSouthwestFloridaPastelSociety.Thatgallerywillhold areceptiononMarch15.FormoreabouttheNaplesgallery, call239-436-3530.
Informationonbothoftheartcouncil’sgalleriescanbe foundonlineatcocoartgallery.com
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-29
LiveMusic,Theatre, ArtExhibits,Concerts andSpecialEvents
WED-1
MichaelDutra-Sinatratribute LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3800
ForeverPlaid ThroughMarch11
MusicandArtsCommunityCenter, 13411ShireLane,FortMyers 239-277-1700
NaplesArtDistrict:ArtAlive J&CBoulevard,ShirleyStreet andSewardAvenue,Naples 3-7p.m., www.naplesartdistrict.com
TheNaplesPlayers:Sylvia ThroughMarch5
McSpaddenHall,UnitedChurchof Christ,5200CraytonRoad,Naples 239-263-7990
FloridaRepertoryTheatre: TheImportanceofBeingEarnest ThroughMarch5
ArtStageStudioTheatre, 2268BayStreet,FortMyers 239-332-4488
Doublewide,Texas ThroughApril9 OffBroadwayPalmTheatre, 1380ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers 239-278-4422
GulfshorePlayhousepresents LernerandLoewe’sCamelot ThroughMarch12
NorrisCenter, 7558thAve.S.,Naples 239-261-PLAY
M ARCH C ALENDAR
CJandPearl
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
JoshRowand TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
TheTemptations,FourTopstribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
TheNaplesPlayers: TheSoundofMusic ThroughApril2 BlackburnHall, 7015thAve.S,Naples 239-263-7990
FloridaRepertoryTheatre: OnGoldenPond ThroughMarch5
HistoricArcadeTheatre, 2268BayStreet,FortMyers 239-332-4488
RandyandBradDuo CoconutPoint, FountainCourtyard,Estero 5p.m.www.randybradduo.com
HighTide
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
JerseyBoys ThroughApril9
BroadwayPalmTheatre, 1380ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers 239-278-4422
LatinDancewithAngela
SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers Lesson6:30p.m.,party8p.m., 239-333-1933
LaboratoryTheaterofFlorida: SweeneyTodd-TheDemon BarberofFleetStreet
ThroughMarch11
1634WoodfordAve.,FortMyers 239-218-0481
Boston&Styxtribute-7:30p.m. SalsaDanceSocial-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
THU-2
SheldonUpchurch
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
KatieDietz OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3856
OpenMicBonita MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
JerseyBoys,PetulaClarktribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
MercatoNightsMusicSeries featuringAlbertCastiglia Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,6:30p.m.eventlawn www.experiencemercato.com
JoeyFiato TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
RandyandBradDuo DogtoothBar, 5310ShirleySt.,Naples 6p.m.www.randybradduo.com
SmokinAcesDuo
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
Motowntribute
CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 7:30p.m.,239-549-3000
FRI-3
ChuckPeterson
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
HerStoryGroupandSamantha Seversonexhibitopenings
SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 6p.m.,239-333-1933
AnnualArtfromtheAtticSale
March3-5 TowerGallery, 751TarponBayRoad,Sanibel 10a.m.-4p.m.239-579-0659
FleetwoodMactribute
Bert’sBackPorchLive,TwistedFork, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 7p.m.,941-235-3675
Goldtones-7p.m. RCSmith7:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
TracyLawrenceinconcert
TheRanchConcertHall&Saloon, 2158ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers, doorsopen7p.m.,239-985-9839
FleetwoodMac, StevieNickstribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
30-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
FortMyersArtWalk
DowntownFortMyers
6-10p.m.www.myriverdistrict.com
TheTexasTenorsinconcert
SeminoleCasinoHotel, 506S.1stSt.,Immokalee 8p.m.www.moreinparadise.com
Simply-Fi TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
Storytellers:BestofLuck AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7p.m.239-939-2787
BlackDog
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
BillHilt LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
AllFloridaexhibit
March3-April1
AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers Openingreception5-7p.m., 239-939-2787
SAT-4
SasetheSinger
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
SWFloridaReadingFestival FortMyersRegionalLibrary, 2450FirstSt.,FortMyers 10a.m.-4p.m.www.readfest.org
BonitaSprings
NationalArtFestival
March4and5
RiversidePark, 10450ReynoldsSt.,BonitaSprings 10a.m.-5p.m.bothdays 239-495-8989
PeterKolter Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,6-8p.m.infront ofBravoItalianKitchen www.experiencemercato.com
GOLDTheatricalspresents AmericanMonster
March3&4 FortMyersTheatre,16120San CarlosBlvd.,unit5A,FortMyers 7:30p.m.www.goldtheatricals.com
JohnnyCaribe andTheHurricanes
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
RandyandBradDuo
NorthNaplesCountryClub, 10095TamiamiTrailN.,Naples 8p.m.www.randybradduo.com
KoeWetzelinconcert
HertzArena, 11000EverbladesPkwy,Estero
7:30p.m.239-948-7825
Motown,Latinand
IslandDancePartyBand
TheStage,9144BonitaBeach Road,BonitaSprings
7:30p.m.239-405-8566
SanibelMusicFestival: EmersonStringQuartet PeaceLutheranChurch, 5840McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers
7:30p.m.,239-344-7025 www.sanibelmusicfestival.org
SmokinAces
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
TinaTurnertribute CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 7:30p.m.,239-549-3000
IsaiahSuriel
LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
SUN-5
Breeze
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,3p.m.,239-995-2141
PuntaGordaSymphony: RachmaninoffPianoConcerto#2 CharlottePerformingArtsCenter, 701CarmalitaSt.,PuntaGorda 7:30p.m.,941-205-5996
PaulMezzanotte OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 12:30-3:30p.m.,239-314-3856
SolReal
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 5-8p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
GulfCoastSymphony: MichaelCavanaugh
BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-481-4849
LeftBankArtShow
TheEsplanade,740CollierBlvd., MarcoIsland,10a.m.-4p.m. 239-290-7927
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-31
SUN-5continued SoundMachine
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,3:30-7:30p.m., 239-540-8454
MichaelD’AmoreDanceParty CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 7p.m.,239-549-3000
Bluegrass:HWY42South AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 3p.m.,239-939-2787
MON-6
MoviesattheMoe: PhantomThread MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
TheCharlottePlayers: TheFolkLegacyTrio CharlotteHarborEventCenter, 75TaylorSt.,PuntaGorda 7:30p.m.,941-833-5444
M ARCH C ALENDAR
MichaelBanks
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
StardustMemoriesBigBand CambierPark, 7558thAve.S.,Naples,7p.m., stardustmemoriesbigband.com
FortMyersFilmFestival:TGIM SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-333-1933
Irishband,dancers,bagpipes
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
WendyRenee TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
ChrisTopher
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,4:30-7:30p.m., 239-540-8454
TUE-7
BethAnne
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
StardustMemoriesBigBand RiversidePark,Old41Road, BonitaSprings,7p.m., stardustmemoriesbigband.com
AlmostABBAand MammaMiatribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
ComptonandBennett: ACrackeratTheRitz MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
Fire&Ice
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
Galleryopeningreception HarbourViewGallery,5789Cape HarbourDrive,suite104,Cape Coral,6-8p.m. www.harbourviewgallery.com
EricMalibu TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
ErichDanceParty-6:30p.m. Jazz&BluesJam-6:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
WED-8
MichaelDutra-Sinatratribute LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3800
COCOArtGalleryreception
COCOArtGallery, CoconutPointMall, 8074MediterraneanDrive,Estero 5-7p.m.,239-949-3073
GulfshoreOpera: SongsofIreland AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-529-3925
LittleRiverBandinconcert CaloosaSoundAmphitheater, 2101EdwardsDrive,FortMyers 7p.m.,www.eventbrite.com www.caloosasoundamp.com
CJandPearl
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
JoshRowand
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
CheapTrickinconcert
BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-481-4849
BeachBoys,JimmyBuffetttribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
OwnThePlatform
SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-333-1933
RandyandBradDuo GiuseppeandtheLion,1585Pine RidgeRoad,suite.5,Naples 5p.m.www.randybradduo.com
HighTide
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
SalsaDanceSocial-7p.m. NeilDiamond,BarryManilow, andBillyJoeltribute-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
THU-9
SheldonUpchurch
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
TheAlterEagles
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
SeaGrapeGrandReopening March9-11
SeaGrapeGallery, 113W.MarionAve.,PuntaGorda 941-575-1718
FortMyersCommunityConcerts: TheNewYorkClassicalPlayers BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-481-4849
SmokinAcesDuo
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
32-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
BestoftheBestTributeBandsarePerformingatTHESTAGE
CATERING•WEDDINGS•EVENTS•PRIVATEPARTIES
FEATUREDDINNER&SHOWS•WALK-INSACCEPTED•PLEASERESERVEFORBESTSEATING
UPCOMINGTRIBUTESHOWSCHEDULE
MONDAY,FEB.27
NeilDiamond
TUESDAY,FEB.28
DeanMartin,FrankSinatra,SammyDavisJr.
WEDNESDAY,MARCH1
TheTemptations&TheFourTops
THURSDAY,MARCH2
JerseyBoys,PetulaClark
FRIDAY,MARCH3
FleetwoodMac&StevieNicks
SATURDAY,MARCH4
Motown,LatinandIslandDance
MONDAY,MARCH6
IrishBand,Dancers,Bagpipes,Whiskey,CornedBeef
TUESDAY,MARCH7
AlmostABBAandMammaMia
WEDNESDAY,MARCH8
TheBeachBoys,JimmyBuffett
THURSDAY,MARCH9
TheAlterEaglesBand
FRIDAY,MARCH10
TomPetty,DoobieBros,CrosbyStillsNash&Young
SATURDAY,MARCH11
TaylorSwift&CarrieUnderwood
SUNDAY,MARCH12
AbsoluteQueen
MONDAY,MARCH13
DeanMartin,SammyDavisJr.,BarbraStreisand
TUESDAY,MARCH14
FabulousGirlsofMotown
WEDNESDAY,MARCH15
BeeGees,KC&SunshineBand,Disco
THURSDAY,MARCH16
America,JamesTaylor,SteveMiller Simon&Garfunkel
FRIDAY,MARCH17
MajestyofRock-musicofJourneyandStyx
SATURDAY,MARCH18
JohnDenver,JimmyBuffett, DollyParton,OliviaNewton-John
MONDAY,MARCH20
TBA
TUESDAY,MARCH21
NeilDiamond
WEDNESDAY,MARCH22
AlmostABBAandMammaMia
THURSDAY,MARCH23
FabulousGirlsofMotown
FRIDAY,MARCH24
BillyJoel,Cher,BobSeger,LadyGaga
SATURDAY,MARCH25
FleetwoodMac&StevieNicks
MONDAY,MARCH27
TheTemptations&TheFourTops
TUESDAY,MARCH28
DeanMartin,SammyDavisJr.,BarbraStreisand
WEDNESDAY,MARCH29
TomJones,RodStewart,Meatloaf, CelineDion,LindaRonstadt,PatsyCline
THURSDAY,MARCH30
Aerosmith,BadCompanyandForeigner
FRIDAY,MARCH31
MikeImbasciani:EricClapton,Blues
FORUPCOMINGSHOWS
stagebonita.com•thestageeventscenter.com
9144BonitaBeachRoadSE •
•
• 239-405-8566
CHECKOURWEBSITE
Catering-Weddings-Events-PrivateParties
THESTAGE
SunshinePlaza
BonitaSprings
M ARCH C ALENDAR
THU-9continued
TheatreZonepresents TheGoodbyeGirl
March9-12
G<heatre, 13275LivingstonRoad,Naples 888-966-3352x1
CJMatthews
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
LatinNightwithDJJC
Sidney’sRooftopSculptureGarden, SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-333-1933
AnAfternoonwithAuthors: KarenWhite,MeWhiteClayton, KristyWoodsonHarvey NaplesWoman’sClub,570ParkSt., Naples,1:30p.m., napleswomansclub.org/authors
Grease
March9-12
CulturalParkTheater, 528CulturalParkBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-772-5862
Queentribute-7:30p.m. SoulCityDanceParty-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
BrianSpainhower
OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3856
FRI-10
ChuckPeterson
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
PureCountry
Bert’sBackPorchLive,TwistedFork, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 7p.m.,941-235-3675
DonnaDeLisle
LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
SunsetCelebration
PeaceRiverWildlifeCenter, 3400PoncedeLeonParkway, PuntaGorda,5-7p.m., 941-637-3830
FunnyShortsLive
MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.,239-495-8989
Artexhibitreception,openhouse VisualArtsCenter, 26100Old41Road,BonitaSprings 6p.m.,239-495-8989
CreedFisherinconcert
TheRanchConcertHall&Saloon, 2158ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers, doorsopen7p.m.,239-985-9839
VinylVibesSeries: FleetwoodMax
SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-333-1933
TomPetty,DoobieBrothers, CrosbyStillsNash&Youngtribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
RandyandBrad
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
RetroRooftopDanceParty
Sidney’sRooftopSculptureGarden, SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-333-1933
INC2023ArtsConference
March10and11
CovenantChurchofNaples,6926 TrailBlvd.,Naples 239-287-7331
SoapyTuna
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
EltonJohntribute-7:30p.m. JimmyKeys-7:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
BrianPoelkerexhibitreception
March10and24
OllieMackGentryPhotography, 2443FirstSt.,FortMyers 239-440-0061
MusicandArtsFusionWalk
SE47thTerrace,CapeCoral 5-9p.m.www.capecoral.gov
SAT-11
SasetheSinger
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
NaplesArtcrafters
FineArtsandCraftShow CoastlandCenterMall, 1900TamiamiTrailN.,Naples 10a.m.-4p.m. www.naplesartcrafters.com
AlanDoyle HinmanAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.,239-495-8989
TaylorSwiftand
CarrieUnderwoodtribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
Wildfire
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
Joey&Maria’sComedy
ItalianWedding
BonitaEsteroElks,3231Coconut Road,BonitaSprings
Dinner6:15p.m.,show7:15p.m. 888-562-7537
JazzyNightSeries:
AdrianCunninghamQuartet
SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-333-1933
SanibelMusicFestival: CalidoreStringQuartet PeaceLutheranChurch, 5840McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-344-7025 www.sanibelmusicfestival.org
SoundMachine
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
DazzlingDelRays-7p.m. ArethaFranklin &PattiLabelletribute-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
TaylorRea Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,6-8p.m.infront ofBravoItalianKitchen www.experiencemercato.com
HandandHarvestArtisanMarket Mercato,9110StradaPlace, suite3135,Naples,noon-4p.m. www.experiencemercato.com
KatieDietz
LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
ArtsonTap AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-939-2787
SUN-12
Breeze
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,3p.m.,239-995-2141
AbsoluteQueen
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
GulfshoreOpera AnnualGalaConcert VanderbiltPresbyterianChurch, 1225PiperBlvd,Naples 4p.m.,239-529-3925
34-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
NathanClarkGeorgeandtheNathanClarkGeorgeFamilyBand willperformFriday,March10at7p..m.aspartoftheInternational NetworkofCreativeseventatCovenantChurchofNaples,6926 TrailBlvd.www.internationalnetworkofcreatives.org
SUN-12continued
SundayNightChamber Music:BrianLin,piano MusicandArtsCommunityCenter, 13411ShireLane,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-277-1700
MichaelJay OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 12:30-3:30p.m.,239-314-3856
TheRighteousBrothersinconcert
BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-481-4849
BluesandBloodysConcertSeries TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, LaurenAndersonat1p.m.,Albert CastigliaBandat4p.m., www.thecenterbar.com
Britain’sFinest: TheCompleteBeatlesExperience March12and13
BroadwayPalmTheatre, 1380ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers 239-278-4422
M ARCH C ALENDAR
LeeCountyCommunityBand CapeCoralHighSchool,2300
SantaBarbaraBlvd.,CapeCoral 3p.m.,www.leecountyband.com
SmokinAces
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,4-7p.m.,239-540-8454
Bandana
Bert’sBackPorchLive,TwistedFork, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 1p.m.,941-235-3675
MON-13
MichaelBanks
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
FlyingD’RitoBrothers TwistedForkPatioStage, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 6p.m.,941-235-3675
MoviesattheMoe: DieUnbeugsamen MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
Randy &Brad
GordonLightfootinconcert BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-481-4849
DeanMartin,SammyDavisJr., BarbraStreisandtribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
JoeyFiato TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
TheatreZone:ATributetoBilly andEltonstarringPhilThompson March13and14 G<heatre, 13275LivingstonRoad,Naples 888-966-3352x1
ChrisTopher
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,4:30-7:30p.m., 239-540-8454
TUE-14
BethAnne
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
ComptonandBennett: ACrackeratTheRitz
MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
JazzandBluesJam-6:30p.m. SingoBingo-6:30p.m.
CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
TheFabulousGirlsofMotown TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
NewYorkRhythm
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
36-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
We’rebackfor the2023season!
Classic&ContemporaryRockfromthe
‘60stoToday...withaSongListforAllAges!
3/2Dogtooth,Naples-6:30pm 3/4NorthNaplesCountryClub-8pm 3/8Giuseppe&TheLion,Naples-5pm 3/10TheCenterBar,BonitaSprings-7pm 3/15FortMyersRVPark-private 3/16Nau ParrotOasis,FortMyers-6pm 3/18CapeCabaret,CapeCoral-6pm 3/21BlueMar ni,Naples-6:30pm
AppearinginMarch 3/1CoconutPoint,Estero-5pm
3/23TheCenterBar,BonitaSprings-6pm 3/29Giuseppe&TheLion,Naples-5pm 3/31SeasideBar&Grill,BonitaSprings-7pm Moredatestocome. www.RandyBradDuo.com
EricMalibu
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
KevinChampGruca
TwistedForkPatioStage, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 6p.m.,941-235-3675
GulfshoreOpera: SongsofIreland
TheGulfTheaterattheMilitary HeritageMuseum,900WMarion Ave,PuntaGorda
7p.m.,239-529-3925
ACMASongwritersatthePlaza: DavidHintz,RobertBidney andBobWilliams
CornogPlazaatFortMyers RegionalLibrary,FirstStreet 6p.m.,free www.americanacma.org
WED-15
MichaelDutra-Sinatratribute LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers
6-9p.m.,239-314-3800
COCOArtGalleryreception
COCOArtGallery, CoastlandCenterMall, 1900TamiamiTrailN.,Naples 5-7p.m.,239-436-3530
CJandPearl
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
KC&TheSunshineBand, BeeGeestribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings
7:30p.m.239-405-8566
GulfshoreOpera: SongsofIreland
St.LeotheGreatCatholicChurch
ParishLifeCenter,28388Beaumont Road,BonitaSprings
7p.m.,239-529-3925
RatPacktribute-7:30p.m. SalsaDanceSocial-7p.m.
CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
JoshRowand TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
WineandPaintWednesdays
SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 6:30p.m.,239-333-1933
HighTide
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
THU-16
BikeNight
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,5p.m.,239-995-2141
JohnHousley
OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3856
RandyandBradDuo
NautiParrotOasis, 17200TamiamiTrailS.,FortMyers 6p.m.www.randybradduo.com
RatPacktribute-7:30p.m.
DianaRossand
WhitneyHoustontribute-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
TheCharlottePlayers: MurderonTheOrientExpress March16-April2
TheLangdonPlayhouse, 1182MarketCircle,PortCharlotte 941-255-1022
ChrisDistefanoinconcert
TheRanchConcertHall&Saloon, 2158ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers, doorsopen7p.m.,239-985-9839
DisneyonIce March16-19
HertzArena, 11000EverbladesPkwy,Estero 239-948-7825
America,JamesTaylor,Steve Miller,Simon&Garfunkeltribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
MannyT TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
GulfCoastLeisure’sArt andPoetryNetworking SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-333-1933
TheatreZonepresents TheGoodbyeGirl March9-12
G<heatre, 13275LivingstonRoad,Naples 888-966-3352x1
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-37
THU-16continued Grease
March16-19
CulturalParkTheater, 528CulturalParkBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-772-5862
SmokinAcesDuo
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
RocktheBlock featuringSoapyTuna Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,6-9p.m.StradaPlace betweenBravo&TommyBahama www.experiencemercato.com
TheatreConspiracy: TheHatmaker’sWife
March16-26
AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 239-939-2787
FRI-17
MajestyofRock:Themusic ofJourneyandStyx
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings
7:30p.m.239-405-8566
FortMyersMusicWalk
DowntownFortMyers
6-10p.m.www.myriverdistrict.com
St.Patrick’sDayParty
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,MusicbyChuckPeterson, 4p.m.,239-995-2141
ShamrockSocial featuringTheRowdyBards Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,Irishmusicat2p.m., NaplesIrishDancersat3:30p.m., Harp&ThistleBagpipeat4:40p.m, TheRowdyBardsat5p.m. www.experiencemercato.com
CarlingWitt
LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers
6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
BruceSpringsteentribute
HinmanAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings
7:30p.m.,239-495-8989
PriscillaBlockinconcert
TheRanchConcertHall&Saloon, 2158ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers, doorsopen7p.m.,239-985-9839
AnnualSpringCourtyardSale
March17-19
SeaGrapeGallery, 113W.MarionAve.,PuntaGorda 10a.m.-4p.m.,941-575-1718
JohnnyCaribe andTheHurricanes
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
CoastalJamz
TwistedForkPatioStage, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 3:30p.m.,941-235-3675
BadLatitude
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
BuddyHollytribute-7:30p.m. RobertGonnelli-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
TheChampJaxonBand
Bert’sBackPorchLive,TwistedFork, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte 7p.m.,941-235-3675
FGCUWindOrchestra
U.TobeRecitalHall,MusicBuilding, FGCU,10501FGCUBlvd.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.free239-745-4268
GulfCoastSymphony: Gypsythemusical March17&18
BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-481-4849
St.Patrick’sDayBlockParty DowntownFortMyers 2-8p.m.www.myriverdistrict.com
SAT-18
SasetheSinger
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
NaplesArtDistrict:ArtAlive J&CBoulevard,ShirleyStreet andSewardAvenue,Naples 1-5p.m., www.naplesartdistrict.com
MusicandArtNight Lorne’sGallery,TarponMarina 5591SilverKingBlvd.,CapeCoral 5-8p.m.239-945-0866
ThirdAnnualAiring oftheQuiltsSpringFair St.Hilary’sEpiscopalChurch, 5011McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 9a.m.-2p.m.239-936-1000
RandyandBradDuo-6p.m. JimmyNiteclub-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
JohnHousley LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
KC&TheSunshineBand,Evelyn “Champagne”Kinginconcert SeminoleCasinoHotel, 506S.1stSt.,Immokalee 8p.m.www.moreinparadise.com
38-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
M ARCH C ALENDAR
OllieMackGentryPhotographyStudioat2443FirstSt.inFort MyerswillhostanartistmeetandgreetwithBrianPoelkeron March10and24.
SAT-18continued
PuntaGordaSymphony: JazzontheLawnwith RandySandke&Friends FloridaSouthWesternCollege, LawnnearBuildingO, 26300AirportRoad,PuntaGorda 4p.m.,941-205-5996
JohnDenver,JimmyBuffett, DollyPartonandOlivia Newton-Johntribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
SouthShoreBand
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
TheGolfComic-TPMulrooney
March18and19
BroadwayPalmTheatre, 1380ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers 239-278-4422
SanibelMusicFestival: LysanderPianoTrio PeaceLutheranChurch, 5840McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-344-7025 www.sanibelmusicfestival.org
PeaceRiverNationalArtFestival March18&19
LaishleyPark,PuntaGorda 9a.m.-4p.m. www.visualartcenter.org
TheBoots
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
CompletelyUnchained: TheUltimateVanHalentribute Bert’sBackPorchLive,TwistedFork, 2208ElJobeanRd,PortCharlotte TheMonsoonsalsoperform, VIPdoorsat6p.m.,941-235-3675
KraigKenning Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,6-8p.m.infront ofBravoItalianKitchen www.experiencemercato.com
ACMApresents
TheRoughandTumbleinconcert AllFaithsUnitarianCongregation, 2756McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7p.m.DavidHintzopens www.americanacma.org
M ARCH C ALENDAR
SUN-19
Breeze
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,3p.m.,239-995-2141
NewYorkRhythm
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 5-8p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
ChoralArtistrypresents GloriawithChamberOrchestra MooringsPresbyterianChurch, 791HarbourDrive,Naples 4p.m.,239-560-5695
CarsandCoffee239 Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,9a.m. musicbyRyanBladenBand www.experiencemercato.com
ElectricLipstick-7p.m. AtilioandDiana-6:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
BonitaSpringsConcertBand RiversidePark,Old41Road, BonitaSprings,2p.m. bonitaspringsconcertband.org
JennyVereline OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 12:30-3:30p.m.,239-314-3856
FloridaRhythmKings TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,3-7p.m.,239-540-8454
NisitaConcertSeries:MingGao, violin,andMichaelBaron,piano U.TobeRecitalHall,MusicBuilding, FGCU,10501FGCUBlvd.,FortMyers 3p.m.,239-745-4268
ACMApresentsCharlieMcCoy andRecklessSaints AlliancefortheArts, 10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 5p.m.,239-939-2787
MON-20
MichaelBanks TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
MoviesattheMoe: AnotherYear MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
StardustMemoriesBigBand CambierPark, 7558thAve.S.,Naples,7p.m., stardustmemoriesbigband.com
Pitbullinconcert HertzArena, 11000EverbladesPkwy,Estero 8p.m.239-948-7825
WendyRenee TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
ChrisTopher TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,4:30-7:30p.m., 239-540-8454
TUE-21
BethAnne
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
NeilDiamondtribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
StardustMemoriesBigBand RiversidePark,Old41Road, BonitaSprings,7p.m., stardustmemoriesbigband.com
Fire&Ice TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
ErichDanceParty-6:30p.m. JazzandBluesJam-6:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
RandyandBradDuo BlueMartini,9114StradaPlace, #1205,Naples,6:30p.m. www.randybradduo.com
SanibelMusicFestival: OperaTheaterofConnecticut SingingLernerandLoewe PeaceLutheranChurch, 5840McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 2and7:30p.m.,239-344-7025 www.sanibelmusicfestival.org
EricMalibu
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
MoviesontheLawn:Sing2 Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,7:45p.m.eventlawn www.experiencemercato.com
OperaNaplesFestivalUnderthe Stars:SopranoJenniferRowley CambierParkSoftballField, 7558thAve.S.,Naples 7p.m.,239-963-9050
WED-22
MichaelDutra-Sinatratribute LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3800
CJandPearl
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
JoshRowand
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
TheEaglestribute-7:30p.m. SalsaDanceSocial-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
CentersfortheArts
AnnualLuncheon
HinmanAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 11a.m.,239-495-8989
AlmostABBAand
MammaMiatribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
HighTide
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
OperaNaplesFestivalUnderthe Stars:JonathanTetelman CambierPark, 7558thAve.S.,Naples 7p.m.,239-963-9050
THU-23
SheldonUpchurch
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
ThomasO’Brien
OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3856
40-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
TheDivineSister
March23-April2
MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 239-495-8989
FabulousGirlsofMotown
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
RandyandBrad TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
ChamberMusicSeries: FionaandHinaKhuong-Huu, pianistRohanDeSilva SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-333-1933
SmokinAcesDuo
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
Journey&Styxtribute-7:30p.m. ShiGirlsDanceParty-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
JuriedStudentArtExhibitopening
WasmerArtGallery,FGCU,10501 FGCUBlvd.,FortMyers 5p.m.opening,exhibitruns
March24-April6,239-745-4268
JazzattheMACC: JazzInfluencedbyAfrica
MusicandArtsCommunityCenter, 13411ShireLane,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-277-1700
FRI-24
ChuckPeterson TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
BrizandLady
Sidney’sRooftopSculptureGarden, SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-333-1933
BattleoftheBrushesFinale
VisualArtsCenter, 210MaudSt.,PuntaGorda 6p.m.941-639-8810
DavidMorintribute toElvisandtheLegends
March24-26
CulturalParkTheater, 528CulturalParkBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-772-5862
BillyJoel,Cher,LadyGaga, BobSegertribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
ThunderBeachBand TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
FloridaRepertoryTheatre presentsRingofFire ThroughApril23
HistoricArcadeTheatre, 2268BayStreet,FortMyers 239-332-4488
VinylVibesSeres: TheRoyOrbisonExperience SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-333-1933
FloydNation
March24and25
CharlotteHarborEventCenter, 75TaylorSt.,PuntaGorda 7:30p.m.,941-833-5444
TomJonesand
BobbyDarintribute-7:30p.m. JimmyKeys-7:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
AlanSmall
LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
Gianna
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
SAT-25
GulfshorePlayhousepresents BarefootinthePark
ThroughApril16
NorrisCenter, 7558thAve.S.,Naples 239-261-PLAY
NaplesFineArtShow Mach25&26
ParadiseCoastSportsComplex, 3940CityGateBlvd.N.,Naples 10a.m.-5p.m.,www.hotworks.org
InternationalFest
Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,11a.m.-4p.m.eventlawn www.experiencemercato.com
ACMApresents RichardSmithinconcert
AllFaithsUnitarianCongregation, 2756McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7p.m.KarenCohenopens www.americanacma.org
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-41
M ARCH C ALENDAR
SAT-25continued MattStellinconcert
TheRanchConcertHall&Saloon, 2158ColonialBlvd.,FortMyers, doorsopen7p.m.,239-985-9839
MakeThemHearYou: AStudentCabaret U.TobeRecitalHall,MusicBuilding, FGCU,10501FGCUBlvd.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.free239-745-4268
TaylorRea LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
WendellRay Mercato,9110StradaPlace, Naples,6-8p.m.infront ofBravoItalianKitchen www.experiencemercato.com
FleetwoodMac andStevieNickstribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
SoundsofJazzandBlues: MindiAbair,DamonFowler CoralOaksGolfCourse, 1800NW28thAve.,CapeCoral Gatesat4p.m.,239-573-3128 www.capeconcerts.com
WillyChirinoand TitoPuenteJr.inconcert SeminoleCasinoHotel, 506S.1stSt.,Immokalee 8p.m.www.moreinparadise.com
BluegrassSeries:MileTwelve SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-333-1933
Joey&Maria’sComedy ItalianWedding BonitaEsteroElks,3231Coconut Road,BonitaSprings Dinner6:15p.m.,show7:15p.m. 888-562-7537
CoralStoneBand TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
DannyMastersBand
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,7-11p.m.,239-540-8454
FleetwoodMactribute-7:30p.m.
RustyWrightandMarty StokesBluesBands-6p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
GulfshoreOpera
HandandHarvestArtisanMarket Mercato,9110StradaPlace, suite3135,Naples,noon-4p.m. www.experiencemercato.com
GulfCoastChamberOrchestra MusicandArtsCommunityCenter, 13411ShireLane,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-277-1700
GrandPianoSeries:DominicCheli MooringsPresbyterianChurch, 791HarbourDrive,Naples 7p.m.,469-333-3231
SUN-26
Breeze
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,3p.m.,239-995-2141
SundayNightChamber
BarryRose&JulieCarver MusicandArtsCommunityCenter, 13411ShireLane,FortMyers 7p.m.,239-277-1700
NewYorkRhythm
TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 5-8p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
KennyRogers,MarilynMonroe andPeggyLeetribute CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 7:30p.m.,239-549-3000
ClaireLiparulo OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 12:30-3:30p.m.,239-314-3856
SouthwestFloridaConcertBand SouthFortMyersHighSchool, 14020PlantationRoad,FortMyers 2p.m. southwestfloridaconcertband.org
SoundMachine
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,3-7p.m.,239-540-8454
MON-27
MichaelBanks
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
MoviesattheMoe: TheGoldenDoor(Nuovomondo) MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-495-8989
TheCharlottePlayers: SimonandGarfunkeltribute CharlotteHarborEventCenter, 75TaylorSt.,PuntaGorda 7:30p.m.,941-833-5444
TheTemptations,FourTopstribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
FortMyersCommunityConcerts: TheRoyalNationalBallet,Fireof Georgia,DirectfromTbilishi BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-481-4849
Dale TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
ChrisTopher TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,4:30-7:30p.m., 239-540-8454
TUE-28
BethAnne TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
DeanMartin,SammyDavisJr. andBarbraStreisandtribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
JazzJam-7p.m. SingoBingo-6:30p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
TheGuessWhoinconcert BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-481-4849
PaulAnkainconcert Artis–Naples,583PelicanBayBlvd, Naples,8p.m.,239-597-1900
RickySharp TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
SanibelMusicFestival: NewYorkBrassArtsTrio PeaceLutheranChurch, 5840McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-344-7025 www.sanibelmusicfestival.org
GulfshoreOpera: AroundtheWorldinSong St.Leo’sParishLifeCenter,28388 BeaumontRd.,BonitaSprings 7p.m.,239-529-3925
OperaNaplesFestival UndertheStars:Carmen March28&30
CambierParkSoftballField, 7558thAve.S.,Naples 7p.m.,239-963-9050
EricMalibu
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
42-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
GulfshoreOperapresentsAroundtheWorldinSongMarch28in BonitaandMarch31onMarco.Fordetails,call239-529-3925
WED-29
MichaelDutra-Sinatratribute
LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers
6-9p.m.,239-314-3800
CJandPearl
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
TomJones,RodStewart, Meatloaf,CelineDion,Linda Ronstadt,PatsyClinetribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings
7:30p.m.239-405-8566
OperaNaplesFestivalUnderthe Stars:Zarzuela&Flamenco CambierParkSoftballField, 7558thAve.S.,Naples 7p.m.,239-963-9050
JoshRowand TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
RandyandBradDuo GiuseppeandtheLion,1585Pine RidgeRoad,suite.5,Naples 5p.m.www.randybradduo.com
HighTide
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
ABBAtribute-7:30p.m. SalsaDanceSocial-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
THU-30
SheldonUpchurch
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
TheDivineSister March30-April2
MoeAuditorium,10150Bonita BeachRoad,BonitaSprings 239-495-8989
DoobieBrotherstribute CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 7:30p.m.,239-549-3000
Aerosmith,BadCompany andForeignertribute
TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
TheGrassRoots,TheAssociation andTheCyrkleinconcert
BarbaraB.MannPerformingArts Hall,13350FSWPkwy.,FortMyers 7:30p.m.,239-481-4849
MannyT TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 6-9p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
SmokinAcesDuo
TikiHutBar&GrillatDolphinKey Resort,1502MiramarSt.,Cape Coral,6-9p.m.,239-540-8454
AlanSmall OxbowBar&Grill, 1300HendrySt.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3856
FRI-31
ChuckPeterson
TheShellFactory&NaturePark, 16554N.ClevelandAve.,N.Fort Myers,4p.m.,239-995-2141
GulfshoreOpera: AroundtheWorldinSong RoseHistoryAuditorium,180S. HeathwoodDrive,MarcoIsland 7p.m.,239-529-3925
ArtWalkstheRunway SidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter, 2301FirstSt.,FortMyers 8p.m.,239-333-1933
MikeImbasciani-Claptontribute TheStage,9144BonitaBeachRoad, BonitaSprings 7:30p.m.239-405-8566
VirgilCain TheCenterBar, ThePromenadeatBonitaBay, 26811S.BayDrive,BonitaSprings, 7-10p.m.,www.thecenterbar.com
RandyandBradDuo SeasideBarandGrill, 24850Old41Road,BonitaSprings 7p.m.www.randybradduo.com
PaulaCanon LobbyBaratLuminaryHotel&Co., 2200EdwardsDr.,FortMyers 6-9p.m.,239-314-3735
LaboratoryTheater ofFloridapresentsPassOver ThroughApril16 1634WoodfordAve.,FortMyers 239-218-0481
LedZeppelintribute-7:30p.m. DuelingPianos-7p.m. CapeCabaretDinnerTheatre, 4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000
HappeningsMagazine- SWFlorida FollowUs onFacebook HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-43
SanibelMusicFestival movesoffislandforMarch
OnSaturday,March 4,thehighlyacclaimed EmersonStringQuartet willperformatthe SanibelMusicFestival. “Followingmanyvisits hereoverthepastfour decades,TheEmerson StringQuartetpresents theirgrandfinaleconcertonSanibel,”said JanaStone,president ofSanibelMusic Festival.“Wearehonoredtobepartoftheir finaltour.Theensemblewillretireinthefall of2023.”
EmersonString Quartet’sunparalleled listofachievements spanningfourdecades includesmorethanthirtyrenownedrecordings, nineGrammys(includingtwofortheBestClassicalAlbum), threeGramophoneAwards,theAveryFisherPrize,and MusicalAmerica’sEnsembleoftheYear.TheywereinductedintotheClassicalMusicHallofFamein2010.In2015, theEmersonreceivedTheRichardJ.BogomolnyNational ServiceAward,thehighestawardinclassicalchamber music.
Ticketsareonsalenowatwww.SanibelMusicFestival.org orinpersononSanibelatBankoftheIslands,1699 PeriwinkleWay(checkandcashonly);orbyphoneat239344-7025.TheconcertisMarch4at7:30pmatthe Festival’stemporaryvenue,PeaceLutheranChurch,15840 McGregorBlvd,FortMyers.“WearegratefulthatPeace LutheranChurch,lessthanfivemilesfromtheSanibel causeway,haswelcomedustopresentourselectedseason
in2023,”continued Stone.“PeaceLutheran offerstheintimate space,excellent acoustics,andeasy accessibilitythatwe value.”
TheEmersonString Quartetprogrambegins withtheBeethovenSQ Op.59#2followedby intermissionandthe SchubertSQinG Major.
ThroughoutMarch, SanibelMusicFestival presentsaseriesof renownedartists, includingCalidore StringQuartetonMarch 11andLysanderPiano TrioonMarch18.
Backbypopular demand,theOpera TheaterofConnecticutwillperformLernerandLoewehits fromBrigadoon,Camelot,MyFairLady,andotherswith bothmatineeandeveningperformancesonMarch21.
ThehighlyacclaimedandentertainingNewYorkBrass ArtsTriowillreturnMarch28.Theseasoncloseswiththe popularFGCUBowerSchoolofMusicChamberStrings performingaspartoftheEmergingArtistsSeriesonApril4.
Alleveningperformancesareat7:30.Thematineeisat 2p.m.
TheSanibelMusicFestival,celebratingits36thseason, presentsworldrenownedartistsduringthemonthofMarch. Incorporatedin1987asanon-for-profitorganization,its missionistopresentclassicalmusicofthehigheststandard ataffordablepricesandtopromotethecareersofyoung artiststhroughperformanceopportunities.
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CalidoreStringQuartet-March11
NewYorkBrassArtsTrio-March28
LysanderPianoTrio-March18
ClassicalMusicHallofFamemembers,theEmersonStringQuartet,arePaul Watkins,cello;EugeneDrucker,violin;PhilipSetzer,violin;andLawrence Dutton,viola.EmersonStringQuartetperformsMarch4.
RachmaninoffMarch5; JazzonthelawnMarch18
PuntaGorda Symphonypresents guestartistand award-winning pianistRoman RabinovichperformingRachmaninoff’s PianoConcertoNo.
2onSunday,March
5attheCharlotte PerformingArts CenterinPunta
Gorda.Theconcert beginsat7:30p.m.,withapreconcerttalkat6:30p.m.with MaestroRaffaeleLivioPonti includedwithticketpurchase.
RomanRabinovichwas borninUzbekistanin1985, andemigratedwithhisfamily toIsraelin1994.Rabinovich, "whosemature,self-assured playingbelieshischronological age”(SanFranciscoClassical Voice),madehisIsrael Philharmonicdebutunder ZubinMehtaattheageof10. PraisedbyTheNewYork Timesforhis“uncommonsensitivityandfeeling,”theeloquentyoungpianistwasthe winnerofthe12thArthur RubinsteinInternationalPiano MasterCompetitionin2008.
Attheopeningofthe202223season,Rabinovichmade hisCarnegieHallConcerto Debut,steppinginat24-hours’ notice.Hehasperformedasa soloistintheUnitedStates, Europe,andIsraelatvenues suchasGewandhaus, WigmoreHall,theMetropolitan MuseumofArt,andtheJohnF. KennedyCenterforthe PerformingArts.Thishighly anticipatedperformancewillbe arareopportunitytohearthe acclaimedsoloistplay Rachmaninoff’sPianoConcerto No.2.
TheMarch5programfeaturesanexcitingvarietyof musicbeyondthepianoconcerto,includingSpanishcomposerManueldeFalla’sEl sombrerodetrespicos(ThreeCorneredHat)andAlexander Borodin’sPrinceIgor: PolovtsianDances.Another highlightoftheprogramis Ethiopia'sShadowinAmerica, composedbyFlorence
BeatricePrice,the firstAfricanAmericanfemale composertogain nationalstatus,and thefirsttohavea symphonicworkperformedbyamajor nationalsymphony orchestra.
OnMarch18,the PuntaGorda Symphonycloses outitsJazzontheLawnseries withRandySandke&Friends at4p.m.attheFlorida SouthWesternStateCollege, CharlotteCampus.Thegroup featuresjazztrumpeterRandy Sandke,alongwithsomeof SouthwestFlorida’smost accomplishedmusicians:Pete BarenBreggeonsaxophone, trombonistGregNeilsen,Dick Hamiltononpiano,bassistDon Mopsick,andvocalistand drummerDavidPruyn.The programwillincludefamiliar jazzstandardsandselections fromtheGreatAmerican Songbook.Bringapicnicand joinmorethan200jazzlovers toenjoyanafternoonofgreat jazzintheFloridasunshine.
Finally,onApril2,thesymphonypresentsits2022-23 seasonfinalewith“Cinematic Sounds”at7:30p.m.atthe CharlotteHarborEventand ConferenceCenter,withafestiveafter-party.
Theconcertwillfeature someofthemostrecognizable andbelovedmusicfromgreat movies,tothedelightofboth classicalmusicloversandfilm buffs.
Formoreinformationand ticketing,visitonlineat www.PGSymphony.org,orcall 941-205-5996
RandySandke
PUNTAGORDASYMPHONY
RomanRabinovich
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-45
ACMA: Rough&Tumble,RichardSmith
TheAmericanaCommunityMusic AssociationwelcomesTheRoughand TumbleinconcertonSaturday,March18 at7p.m.attheACMAlisteningroomin FortMyers.
Writingandperformingtogethersince 2007,MalloryGrahamandScottTyler inevitablyformedTheRough&Tumblein 2011asthefriendsturnedintobandmates. In2015,afterabadNashvillelandlordleft themwithoutheatfor12daysduringanice storm,thebandmatesturningspouses decidedtohittheroad.
Theysoldeverythingtheycould,bought a16footcamper(despitethewarningof theirfamiliesandthelotsalesman),packed uptheirinstruments,theirdog,andacoupleofsmalltrinketsshapedlikeelephants andmicethattheycouldn’tpartwith,and hittheroad.
OnFeb.19,2021,TheRough&Tumble dugintotheseveredbranchoftheirfamily tree,bringingtheirnewestwork,We’re OnlyFamilyIfYouSaySo,afulllength recordaboutwhatittakestobefamily-andwhatitmeanstoloseit.
We'reOnlyFamilyIfYouSaySofollows onthe2019releaseofHowlingBackatthe WoundedDog,a10-songalbumwherein responsewasaudible,withaudiencesliterallyhowlingbackatperformancescoast-tocoast.Theopeningtrack“TheHardest Part”wontheIndependentMusicAward’s BestAmericanaSongof2019.
OpeningtheMarch18showisACMA singer-songwriterDavidHintz.
RichardSmithwillbeinconcert Saturday,March25at7p.m.attheACMA listeningroom.BorninBeckenham, England,Richardstartedearlyandfirst pickeduptheguitarattheageof5withhis fatherteachinghimhisfirstchordsand songs.
Aftersomeearlysoloperformancesand sixyearsofworkingasatriowithtwoofhis brothers,RobandSaminthe90's,Richard movedtoNashvilleinJanuary2000,
In2001,hewonthenationalfingerpickingchampionshipandhassinceforgeda careerasasoloartist,performingallover
theU.S., Canada,UK, Europe, Australiaand Brazil,releasingsolo records,duet andensemble records.
Constantly touringwitha repertoireof fingerpicking classics,originals,fiddle tunes,blues, Joplinrags, jazzstandards, classicalrepertoireandeverythingfrom poptoSousamarches.
Richardhasalsoperformedorrecorded alongthewaywithChetAtkins,LesPaul, TommyEmmanuel,SuzyBoggussanda hostofothers.
OpeningtheMarch25showisACMA memberandsinger-songwriterKaren Cohen.
Admissionforeachconcertis$12for membersand$18fornon-members.
TheACMAlisteningroomislocatedat AllFaithsUnitarianCongregation,2756 McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers.
Formoredetailsandschedules,visit onlinewww.americanacma.org
CharlieMcCoy,RecklessSaintsattheAllianceMarch19
AlliancefortheArtsin partnershipwiththe AmericanaCommunityMusic Association(ACMA)presents SongwritersintheRoundon theGreenmarketStageon Sunday,March19from5to 8p.m.
KimMayfieldandRoy Schneidermakeupthe Americanabandbetter knownasRecklessSaints. Thehusbandandwifeteam runsthegamutfromengagingacousticfolktodriving bluesytunes,withhintsof twangsprinkledin.They dancewithelementsof authenticfolk,country,blues androckasifthey’vebeenin lovewiththemalltheirlives.
AnymusicianinNashvillehasheardofCharlieMcCoy.A mainstayinMusicCitysincethe’60s,Charliehasplayedon
dozensofhitrecords,includingwork withsuchlegendsasElvisPresley, JohnnyCash,DollyParton,Simon andGarfunkel,GeorgeJones,Bob Dylan,RoyOrbisonandmanymore. ThesoloworkofthisCountryMusic HallOfFamememberiscontained onmorethanthreedozenalbums thatCharliehasreleasedoverthe pastfourdecades.Heisalsoa memberoftheGrandOleOpry.
Ticketsare$15forAlliancemembers,$16fornon-membersandare availableonlineatArtInLee.orgorby calling239-939-2787.
Pre-saleseatingislimitedto132 andisfirstcome,firstserve.Inthe caseofbadweather,theshowwill bemovedindoorstotheFoulds Theatre.Additionalticketsmaybe availableatthedoor,weatherpermitting.
TheAlliancefortheArtsislocatedat10091McGregorBlvd., FortMyers.
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46-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
KimMayfield&RoySchneider CharlieMcCoy
RichardSmith
TheRough&Tumble
GulfshoreOperasingsinto springwithseveralevents
SongsofIreland
ExperiencetraditionalandcontemporaryIrishmusic
GulfshoreOperawillcelebratetherich heritageofourkinfromtheEmeraldIsle withtraditionalandcontemporaryIrish musicontourMarch8-March15.
Anensembleincludingfivelovely ladies,allmembersoftheGODivas,violinistDanielaShtereva,percussionist AustinGomezandpianistKellyUtterback willperformthisseriesofconcerts.The artistswillperformseveralselectionsin GaelicwithIrishstylefiddleandbodhran drumaccompaniment.
TwooftheGODivaswhohaveextensivedancetraining,JulianaAlfanoand StephanieLorenz,willaddtraditionalIrish dancingtotheevening’sprogram.Enjoy songslike“DannyBoy”and“TheLast RoseofSummer”andIrishmelodies madepopularbygroupslikeCeltic WomanandTheKing’sSingers.
SongsofIrelandwillbepresented March8at7p.m.atTheAllianceforthe ArtsinFortMyers($35-$50);March14 at7p.m.atTheGulfTheaterinPunta Gorda($35-$50);andMarch15at7 p.m.atSt.LeoTheGreatCatholicChurch LifeCenterinBonitaSprings($45-$55).
GulfshoreOperaGalaConcert
Thesignaturefundraisingevent beginswithaconcerttitled“BelCanto toBernstein”inthesanctuaryof VanderbiltPresbyterianChurchon
Sunday,March12 at4p.m.Returning favoriteartists, RobynLamp (Tosca),Derrek Stark(Italianloverin BatsRevenge)and CoryCrider(Baron ScarpiainTosca) willdisplaytheir artistryandversatilitythroughbeautiful BelCantomelodies byDonizetti,Bellini,anddramaticensemblesbyVerdi.EnjoyatributetoAmerican musicaltheaterlegend,Leonard Bernsteininthesecondhalf.
SincelastseenwithGulfshoreOpera, thesenationallyrecognizedsingershave beenverybusywithprofessionalengagements.RobynLampreturnedtoCarnegie HallforVerdi'sRequieminOctoberand bothDerrekStarkandCoreyCriderhave joinedtherosterofTheMetropolitan
Opera.TheBelCantoselectionsofthe concertwillbenarratedandaccompanied byMaestroJorgeParodi,ournewly appointedmusicdirector.TheBernstein tributeisaccompaniedandnarratedby GordonRoberts,whoworkedwith Bernstein.Ticketsforthegalaconcert rangefrom$45to$75.
AroundtheWorldinSong GOprofessionalartistswilltakeyou onawide-rangingmusicaljourney performingpopularandclassicalsongs fromaroundtheworldonMarch28and March31.
VisitfarawaylandslikeSriLanka, sightofthePearlFishers,Japan,homeof MadameButterfly,andtheSouthPacific tonameafew.Aquartetofversatile artistsperformwithpianoaccompaniment.Performingtheseconcertsare VictoriaLawalandAveryBoettcher, sopranos,whoportrayDonnaAnnaand ElvirainGulfshoreOpera’supcoming grandoperaproductionofDonGiovanni arejoinedbybaritoneJohnTibbetts.
AroundtheWorldinSongwillbepresentedMarch28at7p.m.atSt.Leo’s ParishLifeCenterinBonitaSprings($50 -$65)andMarch31at7p.m.atRose HistoryAuditoriumonMarcoIsland($45$60).
Forticketsandmoreinformationon theseeventsandotherprograms, call239-529-3925orvisitonlineat www.gulfshoreopera.org
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48-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
TheGODivaswillperformSongsofIrelandMarch8inFortMyers, March14inPuntaGordaandMarch15inBonitaSprings.
CoryCrider RobynLamp
DerrekStark
MusicatHinmanAuditoruminBonita
LivemusiccontinuesattheCentersfor theArtsBonitaSpringsforthe2022-23 season.
ThemusicscheduleincludesAlan DoyleonMarch11,BruceintheUSAon March17,EmpireTrioonApril22,Doug Cameron&SonsonApril28and AppalachianRoadshowonApril29.
FromthemomentAlanDoyleburst ontothesceneintheearly1990swithhis bandGreatBigSea,Canadiansfellin lovewiththeprideofPettyHarbour, Newfoundland,whosecharisma,and senseofhumorwereeclipsedonlybyhis magneticstagepresence.Inhislatest work,DoylecollaborateswithCanadian countrymusicsuperstarsDeanBrodyand JessMoskaluke,whileatthesametimeofferinghisown distinctiveinterpretationofcontemporarycountry.
AlanDoylewillperformSaturday,March11at7:30 p.m.Ticketsare$45to$55.
BruceInTheUSAisahigh-energy,note-perfect,and visuallyaccuratemusicalexperienceofaBruce Springsteen&TheEStreetBandshow.
MattRyan,fromtheworld-famousLegendsInConcert cast,beganplayingtheSpringsteencharacterin2000,in Legendsfull-scaleLasVegasshow—thatshow’ssuccess broughthimtorepeatperformancesaroundtheworld, eventuallyevolvinghischaracterintotheBruceinthe
USAshow.The bandconsistsof seasoned,worldclassmusicians fromfamousacts suchasQueen,Meatloaf,BlueOysterCult,Halland Oats,TheTemptationsandmanymore.BruceinThe USAperformsFriday,March17at7:30p.m.Ticketsare $50-$65.
HinmanAuditoriumislocatedat10150BonitaBeach RoadinBonitaSprings.Forticketsandmoredetails,call 239-495-8989orvisitonlineatwww.artcenterbonita.org
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-49
AlanDoyle-March11
BruceintheUSA-March17
OperaNaplesFestivalUnder theStarsMarch21-April5
OperaNapleshas announcedtickets areonsaleforthe thirdannualFestival UndertheStarsat CambierPark.
Conductedby OperaNaplesartistic &musicdirectorand Naplescultural ambassadorMaestro RamónTebar,performanceswilltake placeMarch21 throughApril5.
Thisspectacular multi-dayoutdoor operafestivalwillbe sponsoredbyPNC Bankandpresented incollaborationwith NaplesArt Associationand GrandPianoSeries.
TheFestivalUnder theStarswillalso featuretheNaples FestivalOrchestra, fourupandcoming residentartistsalong withsomeofthebest internationalopera artistsintheworld.
Allperformances willtakeplaceatthe CambierParksoftball field.Ticketsstartat $28withavarietyof individualandtable seatingleveloptions.
Gueststhatpurchase afive-eventfestival passwillreceivea 15%offdiscount.
Assignedseatswill beprovidedforall ticketlevels.Nooutsidefoodorcoolers permitted.Advancemealpackages fromThree60Marketareavailable forpurchaseorguestscanpurchase lightsnacksduringtheevent.
Additionalperformancestaking placeduringthefestivalinclude ColumbusChildren’sFoundation:An EveningofHopefeaturingJonathan
TelemanonMarch22 at7p.m.atCambier ParkandacollaborationwiththeGrand PianoSeriesonMarch 25at5p.m.at MooringsPresbyterian Churchfeaturingthe duoofDominicCheli andtheMilana Strezeva.
“Whatstartedasa wayforustocontinue toshareoperaperformancesduringthe pandemic,theFestival UndertheStarshas blossomedintoamajor eventthatpatronslook forwardtoeachseason,”saidTebar.“This season,wewantto takeittothenextlevel andexpandthecultural horizonsoftheNaples communityand beyond.Ourgoalisto bringtogetherthebest operaartistsandmost popularoperaproductionsfromaroundthe globeandcreatea newworldofwonder andartisticappreciation inthescenicparadise ofSouthwestFlorida.”
TheFestivalUnder theStarswillinclude thesecondFamilyand CommunityDayon March26.Freetothe publicandunderwritten byFineMarkNational Bank&Trust,the FamilyandCommunity Daywillfeatureaperformanceof“TheUgly Duckling”bythe OperaNaplesResidentArtists,additionalperformancesbyOpera Naplesyouth,andavarietyofactivitiestoeducateandinspirethechildreninourcommunity.
Toreserveticketstoday,contact 239-963-9050orvisit OperaNaples.org.
Performanceschedule
Thetwo-weekFestivalUndertheStarslineupfeatures:
• March21:OperaStarsConcert starring SopranoJenniferRowley–Acclaimedworldwideforherremarkablevoiceandstagepresenceandoftendescribedascreating“the mostbeautifullyricalmoments,”Rowley’s repertoireincludesrichlyvariedrolesasmany ofopera’sgreatestheroines.Pasttitlesinclude hersignatureroleofLeonorainVerdi's“Il Trovatore,”thetitleroleofVerdi's“Aida,”the titleroleofPuccini's“Tosca,”AmeliaGrimaldi inVerdi's“SimonBoccanegra,”andHannain Lehár's“TheMerryWidow.”
• March28and30:Carmen –Oneofthe world’smostbelovedoperas,GeorgesBizet’s “Carmen”isafour-actoperasunginFrench withEnglishsupertitles.SetinSpain’sexotic countryside,Bizet’smasterpieceburnswith passionintheepiclovestoryofthegypsygirl Carmen,alove-strucksoldierandahandsome bullfighter.HeartheiconicToreadorSong, “HabaneraandSeguidilla.”MaestroRamón TebarconductstheNaplesFestivalOrchestra withtheOperaNapleschorusandacastof internationalartistsinafullystagedproduction.
• March29:ZarzuelaandFlamenco –ExperienceaneveningofclassicSpanish musicanddance,featuringlush,romantic melodiesofZarzuelaandauthenticSpanish Flamenco.MezzosopranoMariaAntúnezand tenorMartinNusspaumerwillperformexhilaratingariasandduets,accompaniedby MaestroRamónTebaronpiano.
• April2:ANightattheOpera –Opera Naplesresidentartistspartnerwiththe SouthwestFloridaSymphonyforaneveningof classicalperformancesandpopularariasfeaturingafullsymphonyorchestraandworldrenownedguestartists.
• April4&5:Frida –Areveredoperacelebratingthelife,talents,andlegacyofartist FridaKahlo,withmusicbyRobertXavier Rodriguez,bookbyHilaryBlecher,lyricsand monologuesbyMigdaliaCruz.Maestro RamónTebarconductstheNaplesFestival OrchestrawiththeOperaNapleschorus.
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CatlinaCuervo
JenniferRowley
RicardoHerrera
LeeCountyCommunityBand playsMarch12inCapeCoral
Oh,tobeIrishjustonce ayear.
TheLeeCounty CommunityBandwillcelebratetheIrishinallofuson Sunday,March12,withits performanceof“AnIrish Rhapsody,”“Pennywhistle Jig,”“MacNamara’sBand” and“LondonderryAir (DannyBoy).”
Theconcertwilltake placeatCapeCoralHigh Schoolbeginningat3p.m. Alloftheband’sconcerts arefreeandopentothe public.
DirectorRichard Bradstreetalsowillleadthe bandinspiritedmarches, including“TheInvincible Eagle,”selectionsfromthe BroadwayhitOliver, “AmericanOverturefor Band,”goldenhitsofElvis Presleyandamedleyof GlenMillertunes.
SoloistsareNorman
Jones,JannFennandFred Lamb.
Thebandperformssix concertsbetween NovemberandApril.They alltakeplaceatCapeCoral HighSchool,2300Santa BarbaraBlvd.,beginningat 3p.m.Thelastconcertof theseasonissetforApril 23.
AlegendinSouthwest Florida,the50-member adultbandiscomprisedof careerandamateurmusicians.Theoriginalconcert bandofLeeCounty,the bandandhasbeenentertainingSWFloridaaudiencessince1885.Persons interestedinjoiningmay phoneFrancesPace,president,at239-481-1251.
Foradditionalinformation,visitwww.leecountyband.org.“Like”themon Facebookat LeeCountyCommunityBand.
NaplesCommunity OrchestraMarch4
TheNaplesCommunity Orchestrawillhostthesecond performanceofits30thseasononSaturday,March4at3 p.m.atMooringsPresbyterian Church,791HarbourDrivein Naples.Theorchestrawillbe conductedbyAlvinHo,the newartisticdirectoratNCO andwhoalsoservesasassistantconductorwiththe NaplesPhilharmonic.
Theprogramwillfeature musicfromJohannesBrahms andJohannStraussJr.In addition,theorchestrawill performAaronCopland’s “AppalachianSpring”with guestpianistBellaGutshtein.
Gutshteinhasbeenmakingmusicsincetheageofsix. ShewasbornInSt.
Petersburg,Russia,where shereceivedherfirstmaster’s degreeinmusicperformance, vocalcoaching,andteaching fromSt.Petersburg
Conservatory.Shereceived hersecondmaster’sdegree fromtheManhattanSchoolof MusicinNewYorkCity.Since movingtoNaplesin2001, shehasperformedasa soloistandchambermusic pianistinnumerousvenues, includingtheSypertSalon SeriesandtheWang ChamberMusicSeriesat Artis—Naples.
Areceptionwillfollowthe concert4:30–5:30p.m. Ticketsareonsalenowand canbepurchasedonlineat naplescommunityorchestra.or g.Individualconcertadmissionis$40perticket. Complimentaryticketsare availableforstudentswith validstudentidentification. Ticketholdersmayprintthem outorhavethemavailableon asmartphonetoscanatthe door.Emailticketquestionsto tkingNCO@gmail.com.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-51
SIDNEY&BERNEDAVISARTCENTER
Jazz,rock,chamber&bluegrass
TheSidneyandBerneDavisArt Center’sVinylVibesSeriescontinues withFleetwoodMaxperformingMarch 10at7:30p.m.
VinylVibesisaretrorecords seriesthatfeaturessomeofthe nation'sbesttributeacts!It’sarare thingtolook,sound,andevencommandthestagelikealegend.The soundsofFleetwoodMac’smosticonicsongsarerevisitedthroughthe musicalstorytellingcherishedbyfans worldwide.Hearandremembersongs fordancing,orsingingalong,oreven sheddingatear.
FleetwoodMaxdeliversallthe greatesthitsaboutloveandloss,sorrowandjoydeliveredintheunique andfamiliarvocalstylesofChristine McVie,StevieNicksandLindsay Buckingham.Generaladmissionis $50inadvanceand$55thedayofshow. VIPseatingis$65inadvanceor$75the dayoftheshow.
TheJazzNightSeriespresentsAdrian CunninghamQuartetonMarch11at7:30 p.m.Australian-bornandNewYork-based AdrianCunninghamisanaward-winning multi-instrumentalist,composer,vocalist, andworldtraveler.Withfluentcommandof thesaxophone,clarinet,andflute,heis oneofthefinestinstrumentalistsinjazz today.
Cunninghamhasperformedalongside luminariessuchasJonBatiste,ChrisPotter andWyntonMarsalis,andhasappearedas soloistinsomeoftheworld’sgreatstages includingNewYork’sCarnegieHall,Blue Note(NewYorkandTokyo),Stravinsky Auditorium(MontreuxJazzFestival)and theSydneyOperaHouse.Ticketsare$45
inadvanceand$50thedayoftheshow.
TheChamberMusicSerieswelcomes Fiona&HinaKhuong-Huuwithpianist RohanDeSilvaonMarch23at7:30p.m.
TheSBDAC’sChamberMusicSeries bringssomeofthemostcelebratedmusiciansintheclassicalgenrefromaroundthe countrytotheareaforintimatechamber concerts.
BorninNewYorkCity,prodigysisters Fiona&HinaKhuong-Huustudyviolinat theJuilliardPre-Collegedivisionunderthe tutelageofLiLinandItzhakPerlman.Hina andFionahaveperformedatBuckingham Palace,CarnegieHall,forJuilliard’sPreCollegeCentennialGalaatAliceTullyHall andattheBozarConcertHallinBrussels.
PianistRohanDeSilvawasbornin Colombo,SriLanka,andhascollaborated withItzhakPerlman,Cho-LiangLin,Joshua Bell,AnneAkikoMeyers,Kurt Nikkanen,GilShaham,Kyoko Takazawa,VadimRepin,and Midori.Ticketsare$45in advanceand$50dayofshow.
TheVinylVibesSeries returnsattheendofthemonth withtheRoyOrbison ExperienceonMarch24at 7:30p.m.
TheVernonKeltonBand providesanimpeccablelive performanceofRoyOrbison’s musicinterlacedwithcelebrity narrationandastunningHD presentationincludinghistoric imagesandfilmclipspresented ingloriousHD.Thisisnota tributebandorlookalikeshow,
butanaccuratetellingofRoy Orbison’smusicalandpersonal triumphsandtragedies.The resultisaneweducationaland inspirationalentertainment experience.Ticketsare$50in advanceand$55dayofshow. VIPseatingis$65inadvance or$75dayofshow.
TheSBDAC’sBluegrass SerieswelcomesMileTwelve onMarch25at7:30p.m.
MileTwelveisamodern stringbandfromBoston. Winnersofthe2020IBMANew ArtistoftheYearAward,they havebeenmakingwavesinthe acousticmusicworldwiththeir seamlessblendofexpertlycraftedsongs,creative arrangements,andvirtuosic execution.Thebandtakestheirnamefrom themilemarkerthatsitsatBoston’ssouthernborder,aroadsignthey’vepassed countlesstimeswhileheadingoutontour Ticketsare$45inadvanceand$50dayof show.
TheSidney&BerneDavisArtCenteris locatedat2301FirstSt.inthehistoric downtownFortMyersRiverDistrict.For moreinformationandticketstoanyof theseevents,visitwww.sbdac.comorcall 239-333-1933.
M USIC FleetwoodMax-March10 52-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine TheRoyOrbisonExperience-March24 AdrianCunningham-March11
BonitaSpringsConcertBandMarch19
TheBonitaSpringsConcertBandwillpresentitsnext concertonSunday,March19at2p.m.atRiversidePark inDowntownOldBonitaSprings.
TheguestvocalistisHeatherIvy.Heatherisaninternationallyacclaimedmodernclassicalsopranowhohas madeacareeronbothlandandseacruisingthroughmultiplestylesandgenresofmusic.
FromBoccelitoBroadway,Heather’sversatilityand genuinewarmthshinesthrougheverythingshedoes. ShortlyaftermovingtoNewYorkCity,herprofessional careerbeganwiththeBroadwayinternationaltourof Disney’sBeautyandtheBeast,Off-Broadway’sChristmas Wrappings,andshehassinceappearedinmusicalssuch
asTheMusicMan,Guysand Dolls,LittleWomen,aswellas operasDonGiovanni,andElisir D’amoreandLeNozzediFigaro.
Asasymphonicsoloist, Heatherhasappearedwiththe NaplesPhilharmonic,Southwest FloridaSymphony,GulfCoast Symphony,andFortMyersMaster SingersOrchestra,aswellasmultipleconcertbandsthroughout Florida.
Heatherwillsing“Some EnchantedEvening”and“BeyondtheSea.”
Thebandwillalsoperform“Misty”featuringMike Ciccaroneontrombone,“TheFairestoftheFair”byJohn PhilipSousaand“ItDon’tMeanaThing”byDuke Ellington.
MembersareunderthedirectionofGarySmithwho retiredafter24yearsasconductoroftheUniversityof IllinoisMarchingIlliniBandandSymphonicBand.Thisis the9thseasonthatGaryhasledtheband.Garysays“the talentofthesemusiciansistremendous,ranginginage from16to80.”
Becomea“FriendoftheBand.”Findoutmoreat www.bonitaspringsconcertband.org.Theconcertwillalso beavailablestreamedonFacebookat www.facebook.com/bonitaspringsconcertband
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-53
HeatherIvy
TheGulfCoastSymphony welcomesBrianLin,piano,on March12at7p.m.forSunday NightChamberMusicatthe Music&ArtsCommunityCenter inFortMyers.
Chineseconcertpianistand doctoralcandidateBrianYuebing Linenjoysamulti-faceted careerofnotonlyhigh-profile performancesacrossfourcontinents,butalsoasafrequent
GULFCOASTSYMPHONY
lecturerandmusiceducator,the founderoftheinternational mediaplatformPianoLeague, andasanaward-winningfinancialpundit.Describinghisperformanceskillset,therenowned pianistMattiRaekalliohailsLin as“atremendousvirtuosowith anappealingrichnessofmusical imaginationandaperformer’s couragethatimmediatelycapturesthelistener.”Tickets$30.
TheGulfCoastSymphonyandGulf CoastJazzCollectivepresentJazzatthe MACC:JazzInfluencedbyAfricaMarch 23at7p.m.attheMusic&Arts CommunityCenterinFortMyers.
TheKuumbaDancers&Drummers havebeensharingauthenticWestAfrican drumanddancecultureinTampaBay since1980.Thisseasonthey’lljointhe GulfCoastJazzCollectiveforanambitiousshowthatisafusionofJazzwithWestAfrican drumminganddance.TheGulfCoastJazzCollectiveisinvitingmasterdrummerand teacherCheikhN’DongfromSenegal,DundunfolaDomeniqueGreen,andprofessional WestAfricandancersKyaConnerandBerylColbertforacelebrationandfusionofjazzand WestAfricandrumanddance.Ticketsare$44-$49.TheMACCisat13411ShireLanein FortMyers.TicketsforshowsatMACC,call239-277-1700orvisitgulfcoastsymphony.org.
JointheGulfCoastSymphonyonMarch 25at7:30p.m.forGulfCoastChamber Orchestra:DvorakSymphonyNo.7atthe Music&ArtsCommunityCenterinFort Myers.
Comeandexperiencethepowerofalive orchestra.GulfCoastChamberOrchestra performsSymphonyNo.7composedby AntonínDvorak.Itishighlyregardedbycrit-
icsandmusicologists;Toveystatedthat “alongwiththefourBrahmssymphonies andSchubert’sNinth,itisamongthegreatestandpurestexamplesinthisart-form sinceBeethoven.”
ProgramincludesColemanSeven O’ClockShout,PriceEthiopia’sShadowin America,DvorakSymphonyNo.7inD minor,Op.70.Ticketsare$35-$41.
JointheGulfCoastSymphonyon Sunday,March5at7p.m.forSingers& Songwriters:TheMusicofPaulSimon, JamesTaylorandNeilDiamondatthe BarbaraB.MannPerformingArtsHall atFSWinFortMyers.
AfterrockingthehouseathisBilly Joelconcert,MichaelCavanaugh returnstotheGulfCoastSymphony withanallnewprogramofsomeofour greatestsinger-songwriters:Paul Simon,NeilDiamondandJamesTaylor. MichaelCavanaughisthenewvoice oftheAmericanRock&RollSongbook andacharismaticperformerandmusicianmadefamousforhispiano/lead vocalsintheBroadwaymusicalMovin’ Out.HandpickedbyBillyJoeltostarin Movin’Out,Cavanaughevokesastyle rivalingthe“PianoMan.”Heappeared intheshowforthreeyearswithover 1,200performancesandreceivedmultipleaccolades.Theshowculminatedin 2003withbothGrammyandTony Awardnominations.Ticketsare$39$69.Fortickets,call239-481-4849or onlineatGulfCoastSymphony.org
TheGulfCoastSymphonypresents SundayNightChamberMusic:BarryRoss (violin)&JulieCarver(piano)March26at7 p.m.attheMusic&ArtsCommunityCenter inFortMyers.
BarryRossandJulieCarverwillperform musicbyJohannesBrahms,Mozart,Bartok andmanymore.
SundayNightChamberMusicSeriesis anintimate,small-ensembleperformanceat
theMusic&ArtsCommunityCenter.The symphonyinviteseliteperformersfromour regionandaroundthecountrytoperform worksfromclassicalcomposersandmodernmasterpieces.Eachconcertinthe seriesfeaturesdifferentinstrumentsanda widevarietyofcomposers.Ticketstothe March26concertare$30.Ticketsfor showsatMACC,call239-277-1700orvisit gulfcoastsymphony.org
M USIC 54-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
BarryRoss JulieCarver
MichaelCavanaugh
BrianLin
MichaelCavanaugh atMannHallMarch5 BrianLinonpianoMarch12attheMACC JazzInfluenced byAfricaMarch23 GulfCoastChamberOrchestraMarch25 BarryRoss,JulieCarverMarch26atMACC
Alliancewrapsupbluegrass serieswithHWY41South
Joinfellowmusiclovers foranotherofthepopular outdoorbluegrassconcerts onSunday,March5at 10091McGregorBlvd.in FortMyers.
Theconcertwillbeheld ontheGreenMarketStage.
Gatesopenat2p.m. withHWY41Southplaying from3to5p.m.Chairsand coolersarepermitted.
HWY41Southband membersincludeMark Horn,DonnieHarvey,David Beaumont,ClintDockery andTammyWhite.
MarkHornhasplayed withseveralregionalbluegrassbandsandwonthe 2010FloridaOldTime MusicChampionshipmandolincompetition.Donnie Harveybeganplayingthe banjoatagenine.He playedwiththelategreat LarryRiceasateenandthe lessonslearnedareobvious whenyouhearhimpickon stagewith41.Donniealso contributeshissmoothbaritonetotheharmonies. DavidBeaumonthasbeena wellknownmusicianin bluegrasscirclesformany years.Davidplaysguitar, bass,mandolin,andbanjo.
ClintDockeryplaysfiddle, mandolin,guitar,andwho knowswhatelsehecando, aswellassinganypart.He startedplayingwhenhewas justaLittleBit,andiswell knowninbluegrasscircles. TammyWhiteistheoutstandingbassplayer,andis alsoClint’sbigsister.They havebeenplayingbluegrasstogethersincethey werekneehightoa grasshopper.
Formoreinformation abouttheband,visitonline at www.hwy41bluegrass.com
Thiswillbethefinaloutdoorbluegrassconcertof thisseason.Ticketsare$15 formembers,$16fornonmembersandareavailable onlineatArtInLee.orgorby calling239-939-2787.
Pre-saleseatingislimitedto132andisfirstcome, firstserve.Inthecaseof badweather,theshowwill bemovedindoorstothe FouldsTheatre.Additional ticketsmaybeavailableat thedoor,weatherpermitting. Moreinformation,including alistofperformers,canbe foundatartinlee.org/bluegrass.
Hwy41South HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-55 AMERICANA COMMUNITY MUSIC ASSOCIATION FortMyershomefororiginalAmericanamusic! SAT.,MARCH18 DavidHintzopens,7pm TheRough &Tumble SAT.,MARCH25 KarenCohenopens,7pm RichardSmith AllFaithsUnitarianCongregation,2756McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers Doorsopenat6:30pmTicketsatdoor($12member/$18public) VisitourFacebookpageandwebsite formoreinfo&fullcalendarofevents www.americanacma.org SONGWRITERSATTHE PLAZA DavidHintz,RobertBidney,BobWilliams TUESDAY,MARCH14 at6pm FREE-CornogPlaza,FortMyersLibrary,Downtown Bringchairorblanket.Showmovesindoorsdependingonweather SUN.,MARCH19 at4pm AlliancefortheArts ,10091McGregorBlvd.,FortMyers Bringchair.Showmovesindoorsdependingonweather.$16 CHARLIE MCCOY COUNTRY MUSIC HALLOF FAME MEMBER ROY SCHNEIDER,KIM MAYFIELD
BillyJoel&EltonJohntribute March13-14atTheatreZone
TheatreZone’slineupoffourlivemusicalconcertswrapsupinMarchwitha tributetoBillyJoelandEltonJohn.
“Thisseason’sconcertseriesfeatured musicalhomagestoJamesTaylor,The Beatles,BillyJoelandEltonJohn,and alsofeaturedtheconsummateJohn O’Hurley,thefamedcomedian,actor, songanddanceman,andoneof America’sgreatstorytellers,”said TheatreZone’sfoundingartisticdirector MarkDanni.
Followingsold-outprivateengagementsinNaples,pianistandvocalistPhil ThompsonwillmakehisNaplespublic debutatTheatreZoneinBilly&Elton:The HitsMarch13and14at7:30p.m.
Heisaninternationallyacclaimed entertainerwhoperformsatmajorentertainmentvenuesthroughouttheworld. Thompson’stributetoBillyJoelandElton Johnreflectshislifelongloveforthetwo
megastars.
Heweavesstoriesoftheircareerswith performancesoffavoritessuchas “Bennie&TheJets,”“YourSong,”“My Life,”“Movin’Out,”“Daniel,”“NewYork StateofMind,”andofcourse,“Piano Man.”
Thompson’sheadliningTheatreZone concertalsofollowsacelebratedcareer astheopeningactforartistsincluding RodStewart,DavidFoster,Brian McKnight,theCanadianTenorsandClay Aiken,tonameafew.
TheatreZone,celebratingits18thseasonin2022-2023,stagesitsmusicalproductionsinthe250-seatG<heatre convenientlylocatedinNaplesat13275 LivingstonRoad,betweenPineRidgeand VanderbiltBeachRoads.
Topurchasetickets,visitonlineat www.Theatre.Zoneorcalltheboxofficeat 888-966-3352,ext.1.
SWFloridaConcertBandMarch26
The45-memberSouthwestFlorida ConcertBandwillperformamusical celebrationonawesternthemewithour IntotheWestConcertonMarch26at2 p.m.atSouthFortMyersHighSchool, 14020PlantationRoad,FortMyers.
Jointhebandastheymountupand ridethePonyExpresswithAcrossthe GreatPlains.Thegroupwillperform familiarselectionsfromtheBroadway
hitOklahoma,andthedramaticwestern overtureSouthwestSaga.BobHelfrich willsing“WhataWonderfulWorld”and wewillhavesomemusictocelebrate St.Patrick’sDayandsomememorable TijuanaBrasssongs.
Thegroupwillplayanexcitingand funpiececalledthe“GreatLocomotive Chase”astheBrassMonkeysquintet willrideinwithsomefamiliarwestern
movietunes…andevensomeWillie Nelsonsongstotapyourtoeto.
Theshowwillconcludewitha dynamicarrangementofmusicfromthe filmSilverado.
Allconcertsarefreewithdonations accepted.Informationonthegroup,the scholarshipprogram,andotherperformancescanbefoundonthewebsite atSouthwestFloridaConcertBand.org
M USIC
HappeningsMagazine
PhilThompson
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BBQ,Bands&BrewApril15
LeeBIABuilders
Care’spopularBBQ, Bands&Brewfundraising eventisreturningonApril 15toanewvenue,the CaloosaSound AmphitheaterindowntownFortMyers.
The12thannualevent featuresSouthwest Florida’stoppitmasters competingforthetitleof “BestBBQinTown,”as wellaslivemusicfrom localheadliningbands, numerousvendorsand fun-filledactivitiesforall agesincludingalively cornholetournamentand achildren’splayareawithface-painting,gamesandmore. JonesezBBQ,whichwasnamed“BestBBQinTown”at thelastBBQ,Bands&Brewevent,isreturningin2023to defenditstitle.
ProceedsfromtheeventsupportBuildersCare’smissiontoprovideemergencyconstructionservicesatnocost toneedyanddeservingelderlyand/ordisabledhomeowners,andtheirfamilies,whocannotobtainrepairsthrough traditionalmeans.Todate,LeeBIABuildersCarehas helpedmorethan500LeeCountyhouseholdsandprovid-
edover$5millioninemergencyconstructionservicesandmaterialsatnocost tofamiliesandlocalhomeownersinneed.Sinceits inception,theeventhas raisedover$675,000in supportofLeeBIA BuildersCare.
The2023BBQ,Bands &Brewwillbeheldfrom11 a.m.to6p.m.onSaturday, April15atCaloosaSound Amphitheater,2101 EdwardsDriveinFort Myers.Ticketsare$10for adultsandfreeforchildren 12andunder.Ticketsare availableforpurchasein advanceoratthegate.
AllStarEquipmentRentals&SalesisreturningaspresentingsponsorforBBQ,Bands&Brew.Happenings Magazineisagainamediapartnerforthisevent. Additionalsponsorshipopportunitiesrangefrom$525to $6,500andincludeavarietyofbenefits.
Acompletelineupofperformingartistsandvendorswill bereleasedinthecomingweeks.Tolearnmoreaboutticketandsponsorshipopportunities,visitonlineat www.BBQBandsAndBrew.comorcall239-938-0056.
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DebandTheDynamicsareoneofthebandstoperformApril15.
I N C ONCERT
PERFORMANCES INSWFLORIDA
FEB25
Trapt TheRanch,FortMyers
FEB26
TheBeachBoys Artis–Naples
WycliffeGordon ParadiseCoastSports Complex,Naples
MAR3
TracyLawrence TheRanch,FortMyers
TheTexasTenors
SeminoleCasino,Immokalee
MAR4
KoeWetzel HertzArena,Estero
MAR8
CheapTrick BBMannHall,FortMyers
LittleRiverBand CaloosaSoundAmphitheater, DowntownFortMyers
MAR10
CreedFisher TheRanch,FortMyers
MAR12
RighteousBrothers BBMannHall,FortMyers
MAR13
GordonLightfoot BBMannHall,FortMyers
MAR17
PriscillaBlock TheRanch,FortMyers
MAR18
KC&TheSunshine Band,EvelynKing SeminoleCasino,Immokalee
MAR20
Pitbull HertzArena,Estero
MAR25
MattStell TheRanch,FortMyers
WillyChirinoand TitoPuenteJr. SeminoleCasino,Immokalee
MindiAbair
CoralOaksGolfCourse, CapeCoral
MAR28
TheGuessWho BBMannHall,FortMyers
PaulAnka Artis–Naples
MAR30
TheGrassRoots, TheAssociation TheCyrkle BBMannHall,FortMyers
APR1
RickySkaggs SeminoleCasino,Immokalee
CooperAlan TheRanch,FortMyers
Big&Rich CharlotteCountyFairgorunds
PERFORMANCES INSWFLORIDA
APR2
Starshipfeaturing
MickeyThomas CaloosaSoundAmphitheater, DowntownFortMyers
APR8
ChrisCagle TheRanch,FortMyers
APR13
CastingCrowns HertzArena,Estero
APR14
EastonCorbin TheRanch,FortMyers
APR19
HomeFree BBMannHall,FortMyers
APR21
AshlandCraft TheRanch,FortMyers
MAY6
TheOrchestra BBMannHall,FortMyers
OldDominion HertzArena,Estero
MAY26
BritFloyd HertzArena,Estero
JUN30
LadyA BBMannHall,FortMyers
AUG24
JasonAldean HertzArena,Estero
Dailyconcertupdatesat HappeningsMagazine.net
58-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
TheGuessWhowillperformMarch28atBarbaraB.Mann PerformingArtsHallatFSWinFortMyers.Fordetails,visit bbmannpah.com.PicturedisTheGuessWholeadvocalistDerek Sharp. photobyJamieKuser
Countryandrockshowsat TheRanchConcertHall
ThespringscheduleatTheRanch ConcertHall&SalooninFortMyers isfillingupwithnationalrockand countryartists.
Here’swhat’sonthescheduleat presstime:
TheSamGallowayFordConcert SeriespresentsTracyLawrenceon March3,CreedFisheronMarch10, PriscillaBlockonMarch17,MattStell onMarch25,CooperAlanonApril1, ChrisCagleonApril8,EastonCorbin onApril14andAshlandCraftonApril 21.
OtherupcomingshowsatThe
RanchConcertHall(notpartofthe Gallowayseries)includeChris DistefanoonMarch16,JimmieVaughn onApril6,PecosandTheRooftopson April13,Schism(Tooltribute)onJune 2UglyKidJoeonJune3andPigFloyd onNov.25.
Forticketsandmoreinformation, visitonlineattheranchfortmyers.com. TheRanchConcertHallcanbe reachedat239-985-9839.
Formostconcerts,thedoorsopen at7p.m.atTheRanchConcertHall& Saloon,whichislocatedat2158 ColonialBlvd.inFortMyers.
TracyLawrence-March3
EastonCorbin-April14
MattStell-March25
ChrisCagle-April8
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-59
PriscillaBlock-March17
AshlandCraft-April21
WillyChirino& TitoPuenteJr.
WillyChirinowith specialguestTito Puente,Jr.willperformliveinconcert atSeminoleCasino HotelImmokalee Saturday,March25 at9p.m.withgates openingat8p.m.
WillyChirinois celebrating50years inthemusicbusinessandisrecognizedthroughoutthe worldasthecreator oftheMiamiSound,afusionofCubanmusic,rock, jazz,BrazilianandCaribbeanrhythms.Bornin ConsolacióndelSurinCuba,ChirinoleftCubaand cametotheUnitedStatesthroughOperationPedro Pan,alongwiththousandsofCubanchildren.Hehas writtenseveralsongsthatareemblematicforthe Cubanpeople,butnonemoresothan“NuestroDía (YaVieneLlegando)”whichhasbecomeasecond nationalanthemforhiscompatriotsinsideandoutof thecaptiveisland.
Duringhiscareer,Chirinohasreleasedmorethan 35albumsandisthecomposerofover100songsthat havebeenrecordedbymorethan60artists.Hewona Grammyin2006forBestSalsa/MerengueAlbumfor “SondelAlma”andwasnominatedin2007foraLatin GrammyforBestSalsaAlbumfor“35oAniversario-En Vivo.”
TitoPuente, Jr.carrieshis fatherwithhim, imprintedonhis physicalbeing andlockedinhis soul.It’sinhis looks,hisjoy, andhismusic. Crowdsluredto avenuebythe fatherarereturningtoseethe sonandtoonce againparticipate inthehighvoltagecelebration thattakesplaceonstage.Puente,Jr.hasbecomean audiencefavoriteincasinos,performingartscenters, symphonyhallsandjazzfestivalsworldwide.HisCD, “InMyFather’sShoes”featurestheclassicPuente titlesandwasspunintoaBETJazztelevisionspecial ofthesamename.
Advancegeneraladmissionticketsforthisoutdoor concertare$39andareavailablefromTicketmasteror atwww.moreinparadise.com.VIPticketsalsoareavailablefor$69thatincludeup-frontreservedseatingand twodrinkticketsforbeer,wineorsoda;wateriscomplimentary.
Fortickets,visitmoreinparadise.com
KC&TheSunshineBand
Sunny106.3presentsdiscomusicroyaltyKCandtheSunshine BandwithspecialguestEvelyn“Champagne”Kingperforminglivein concertatSeminoleCasinoHotelImmokaleeonSaturday,March18at 8p.m.withgatesopeningat7p.m.
KCandtheSunshineBandareaspopulartodayastheywerewhen theyfirstdancedintothemusicscenenearly50yearsago.Harry WayneCasey–KCforshort–developedauniquefusionofR&Band funk,withahintofaLatinpercussiongroove,givingusanimpressive stringofhitslike“GetDownTonight,”“That’sTheWay(ILikeIt),”and “ShakeYourBooty.”Withsalesofover100millionrecords,nine Grammynominations,threeGrammyAwards,andanAmericanMusic Award,KCandtheSunshineBandwasoneofthemostprogressive bandsofthe1970sandiscreditedwithchangingthesoundofmodern popmusic.
Evelyn“Champagne” King’sbigbreakcameat age15,whenshewas discoveredwhileshe sangatwork,subbingfor hersisterasacleaning womanatPhiladelphia's SigmaStudios.Shewas signedtoacontract,and herfirstalbum“Smooth Talk”producedthedisco smash“Shame.”Thefollow-up,“IDon'tKnowIf It'sRight,”wasamajor mid-tempoR&Bhit.In 1981,“I'minLove”wasa #1dancehit.Shefollowedupwiththe“GetLoose”albumin1982and anothersmash,theclassicanthem“LoveComeDown.”Notonlydid Kingsurviveasasingingstarintothe1980s,shealsoisstillrecording andtouringfrequentlytoday.
Advancegeneraladmissionticketsforthisoutdoorconcertare$59. VIPticketsare$89. Fortickets,visitmoreinparadise.com
I N C ONCERT
KCandTheSunshneBand-March18
Evelyn“Champagne”King-March18
atSeminoleCasinoHotelMarch18
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TitoPuenteJr.
WillyChirino
MindiAbairheadlinesCape SoundsofJazzandBlues
MindiAbairreturnstoheadlinethis year’sCapeCoralSoundsofJazzand BluesonSaturday,March25atanew venue,theCoralOakGolfCourse.
TheSoundsofJazzandBluesisthe premiermusicaleventinCapeCoral. TheCapeCoralParksandRecreation Departmentisproudtobringsomeof thebesttalentsforanightofmusical magic,food,andfun.Joininthecitywide celebrationofjazzandbluesmusic.
Duringherremarkable21-year recordingcareer,saxophonist/vocalist
MindiAbairhasgarneredtwoGrammy nominations,recordedwithsomeofthe biggestnamesinmusic,andbuiltasubstantialfollowingamongjazzandblues audienceswithhersoaringmelodies andpowerhousestyle.
In2014,Mindireceivedherfirst GrammynominationintheBestPop InstrumentalAlbumcategoryfor SummerHornswithDaveKoz,Richard ElliotandGeraldAlbright,followedbya 2015GrammynominationforBest ContemporaryInstrumentalAlbumfor hersoloLPWildHeartfeaturingthelate GreggAllman,JoePerry,Trombone Shorty,BookerT.Jones,KebMoand MaxWeinberg.
Youmightknowherasthefeatured saxophonistonAmericanIdol,sittingin withPaulShafferonTheLateShowwith DavidLettermanandTheRootsonThe TonightShowStarringJimmyFallon,or frommoonlightingontourwithDuran DuranorAerosmith.
BluesmanDamonFowlerisalso scheduledtoperformthatnight.
Gatesopenat4p.m.Generaladmissionis$25inadvance,$30atgateif available.Organizershighlyencourage
bringingchairsandblanketstoenjoythe show.Noseatsareprovidedforgeneral admissionguests.Beverageswillbe availableforpurchase.
Experienceticketsare$50in advanceandincludebuffetstylecatered mealand2drinktabsforbeer,wineor soda.Waterisincluded.
Thegolfcourseislocatedat1800 NW28thAve.,CapeCoral.Advance ticketsareavailableonlyonlineat www.capeconcerts.com.Forinfoorspecialaccommodations,call239-573-3128.
SouthlandBluegrassMusicFestivalApril1
LaMesaRVpresentsthesecondannual SouthlandBluegrassMusicFestivalat SeminoleCasinoHotelImmokaleeonApril1 startingatnoon.
Thefreefestivalwillfeaturesevenoutdoor concerts,anRVdisplayandavarietyoffood trucks.
Theentertainmentlineupfeaturesfree performancesfromRickySkaggs&The KentuckyThunder,TheSteeldrivers,Del McCouryBand,SisterSadie,TheGrascals, andJustinMason&BlueNight.
AbbyTheSpoonLadywillbeaspecial musicalguestandBigMamawillbethemasterofceremonies.
Allconcertsarefreeandheldoutdoors. Attendeesarewelcometobringchairsandall agesarewelcome.Alargeselectionoffood truckswillbeavailable.Coolers,backpacks andpetswillnotbepermitted.
Formoreinformation,visitonlineat southlandbluegrassfestival.com.
RickySkaggsandTheKentuckyThunder
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DamonFowler
LittleRiverBand,Starship at CaloosaSoundAmphitheater
TheRockin’ontheRiver ConcertSeriespresentedby LuminaryHotel&Co.welcomestwopopularrock bandseachwithastringof hitsontheirsonglist.
LittleRiverBandisthe nextconcertintheRockin’on theRiverConcertSeries.The concertisscheduledfor Wednesday,March8at7 p.m.attheCaloosaSound AmphitheaterinFortMyers.
ThenonApril2,Starship featuringMickeyThomaswill hittheamphitheaterstage.
TheEaglesfounding member,thelateGlennFrey, knewwhathewassayingwhenhedubbed LittleRiverBand“thebestsingingbandin theworld.”
Throughthe‘70sand’80s,LittleRiver Bandenjoyedhugechartsuccesswith multi-platinumalbumsandchart-topping hitssuchas“Reminiscing,”“CoolChange,” “LonesomeLoser,”“TheNightOwls,”“Take ItEasyOnMe,”“HelpIsonItsWay,” “HappyAnniversary,”“WeTwo,”“ManOn YourMind,”“TheOtherGuy”and“It’sa LongWayThere.”With“Reminiscing” receivinganestimated5millionplayson Americanradio,thegroupwasrecognized ashavingTop10hitsforsixconsecutive years.
Somebandmembershavecomeand gonesinceLRBlaunchedtheircareers, butcurrentleadsingerandbassplayer WayneNelsoniscelebrating42yearswith theband,makinghimthelongeststanding
memberofthegroup.OtherbandmembersincludeChrisMarion (keyboards/vocals);RyanRicks (drums/percussion/vocals);ColinWhinnery (leadguitar/leadvocals);andBruce Wallace(guitar/vocals).
Bringingtheirvocalandmusicalenergy alongwithgreatarrangementstotheir timelessclassichits,eachshowcreates newmemoriesfortheaudience.Theband enjoyswatchingtheirfansfallinlovewith thesongsalloveragainastheyareswept upbytheshow’spowerfulperformance andthevolumeofhitsfromLRB’shistory.
TheApril2concertwillinclude1970s and1980shitsfromStarshipandJefferson Starship,andaselectionfromJefferson Airplaneasanodtotheband’sbeginnings.MickeyThomasandhissoaring voicepropelledStarshipthroughthe‘80s, andhiscompellingvocalsestablishinghim
asoneofrockmusic’smost recognizablestars.Hefirst madehismarkin1976as leadvocalistonthemega-hit “FooledAroundandFellIn Love”withTheElvinBishop Band.In1979,Mickeyjoined JeffersonStarshipasthelead vocalist,recordingastringof hitsincluding“Jane,”“NoWay Out,”“FindYourWayBack,” “Stranger,”“Layin'Itonthe Line.”Thegroupwas renamedStarshipin1985 andwentontorecordthree #1hitsongs,including“We BuiltThisCity,”“Sara,”and “Nothing’sGonnaStopUs Now”fromthefilmMannequin,whichalso wasanAcademyAwardnominee.
StarshipfeaturesMickeyThomas(lead vocals),JeffAdams(bass),JohnRoth(guitar),PhilBennett(keyboards),Darrell Verdusco(drums)andCianCoey(vocals).
Ticketsforbothconcertsstartatjust $20andarepricedat$100,$75,$50,$35 and$20withalimitednumberofVIPstage rightpackagesat$150.VIPfrontrow ($100)andVIPfloorseats($75)includea reservedseatdirectlyinfrontofthestage, onedrink(water,sodabeerorwine)and accesstoprivateVIPrestrooms.Reserved frontlawnseats($50and$35)includea reservedseatinthefrontlawnarea. Generaladmissionbacklawnticketsare alsoavailableforjust$20.
Ticketsforbothconcertsareonsaleat www.caloosasoundamp.comor www.eventbrite.com.
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LittleRiverBandwillperformMarch8.LRBmembers(fromleft)areBruce Wallace,ChrisMarion,WayneNelson,ColinWhinneryandRyanRicks.
StarshipfeaturingMickeyThomaswillperformApril2.
AnnualReading FestivalMarch4
featuresaward-winning andbest-sellingauthors
TheLeeCounty LibrarySystem’s24th annualSouthwestFlorida ReadingFestivalwillhost 25authorsattheMarch event.Authorsforallages arecomingtoFortMyers tomeetfansandshowcasetheirbooksfrom10 a.m.to4p.m.Saturday, March4.Thefreeevent willbeheldontheoutdoorcampusoftheFort MyersRegionalLibrary locatedat2450FirstSt.
TheSouthwestFlorida ReadingFestivalisa time-honoredtraditionin thecommunity,withattendeescomingbackyear afteryeartohearauthor presentations,meet-andgreetwithadiverselineupofbest-sellingauthors andhavetheirbooks signed.Thiscelebrationis agreatopportunityfor fanstodiscoverthelatest booksanddigital resourcesofferedbythe libraryplusstorytelling programs,youthwriting awardpresentations,arts andcrafts,andafree bookforeverychildand teenattendingtheevent.
“Iamsoproudofthis signaturelibraryevent andtheopportunityitprovidestohighlightthe importanceofliteracyand libraries,”saidMindi Simon,directoroftheLee CountyLibrarySystem. “Plus,itgivesthecommunityachancetomeet theirfavoriteauthors,ask questionsandlearnabout theirwork.”
Amongthetalented authorlineupscheduled toattendarebestselling authorsforadults,teens
andchildren,including NewberyAward-winning youthwritersMegMedina andLaurenWolk.
Featuredteenauthors includeFloridaTeens ReadwriterAxieOhand historicalfictioncrossover novelistRutaSepetys. Adultauthorsinclude KristinHarmel,AlkaJoshi andthrillerwritersKendra Elliot,JosephFinder, GreggHurwitzand MelindaLeigh.
Attendeeswishingfor exclusiveaccesstomeet andminglewiththis year’sauthorscandoso atAnEveningwiththe Authors,afundraising dinnerscheduledtotake placeFriday,March3,at theEdisonRestaurant, BarandBanquetCenter. Ticketswillbeavailable soononthefestivalwebsiteatwww.ReadFest.org.
Thecompletelineup ofauthorsandmostupto-dateinformationcanbe foundbydownloadingthe festival’sfreemobileapp “SWFLReads,”whichis availablefromtheApp StoreorGooglePlay. Savvyfestivalgoerswho downloadedtheappfor lastyear’seventwillneed anupdatetoaccessthe newcontent.
TheSouthwestFlorida ReadingFestivalisfree andcommunity-supported throughdonations,sponsorshipsandgrants.Visit www.ReadFest.orgto makeasecureonline donation.
Moreinformationis availableonlineat www.ReadFest.orgorby calling239-533-4832.
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-63
F ORT M YERS R IVER D ISTRICT 64-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine ThenextArtWalkis setforMarch3.
GrandIllusionCreativeResourcesandOllieMackGentryPhotographyhostedanexhibitbyartistIlyasKirkan inFebruary.PicturedareIlyasKirkan,GrandIllusionownerShariShifrinandOllieMackGentry.
BradfordHermannwasFebruaryʼsfeaturedartistintheGrandAtrium oftheSidneyandBerneDavisArtCenter.
GulfCoast Symphony
ThenextSongwriterson thePlazawillbeMarch14
TheFortMyersRegional Libraryhasjoinedwiththe AmericanaCommunityMusic Association(ACMA),tooffer freeconcertsofalloriginal musicbylocalartists.Concerts willtakeplaceintheamphitheater,whichislocatedonSouth CornogPlaza,2450FirstSt.in theFortMyersRiverDistrict.
Nextuponthescheduleare localsongwritersBobWilliams, DavidHintzandRobertBidney. TheywillperformTuesday, March14at6p.m.
Bringachairorablanket. Allshowswillbemovedtothe meetingroomslocatednextto theamphitheaterifneeded dependingonweather.
TheACMAisaFortMyers
basednotforprofitpromoting localartistswhoperformoriginalsongs.Whattoexpect,you willhearsinger-songwriters sharingalifetimeofexperiencesinsongandtheinspirationbehindthesongs.Bepreparedtoenjoyaneveningof professionalqualityacoustic Americanamusic.Americana musicisacomingtogetherof blues,roots,folk,bluegrass andcountry.
Here’stheremainingseasonschedule:
April11:KarenCohen,Dan Philgreen,BruceGallant
May9:ACMAshowcase
Formoreinfo,visitthewebsiteatamericanacma.organd followthemonFacebook.
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GulfCoastSymphonyofferedafreeconcertatCaloosaSound AmphitheaterFeb.3tokickoffArtFestFortMyersweekend.
CaloosahatcheeCelticFestival
TheCityofFortMyerspresented theannualCaloosahatcheeCeltic FestivalJan.27and28atCaloosa SoundAmphitheaterindowntownFort Myers.Thetwo-dayfestivalfeatured
performancesbyAlbannach, ScreamingOrphans,TheByrne Brothers,WestofGalway,Cage O’Hanlon,BlueSkyePipes&Drums andtheKellynCelticDancers.
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TheByrneBrothers
JoanDiverofScreamingOrphans- photosbyJamieKuser
StephenStadlerofWestofGalway
BernieGreenofWestofGalway
BlueSkyePipes&Drums
TheMolly Ringwalds
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CaloosaSoundAmphitheatertookamusicaltripbacktothe1980son Feb.9whenTheMollyRingwaldscametotown. photosbyJamieKuser
D ININGIN S OUTHWEST F LORIDA
1stStreetDeli
Thisaward-winning 112-seatauthenticNew York-styledelicatessen (theonlyonein SouthwestFlorida)is opendailyservingbreakfast,lunchanddinner.1st StreetDelibringsadistinctlyuniquedining experiencetothe SouthwestFloridamarket formerlyfoundonlyin NewYorkCity.Hereyoucangrabasandwichthatisbiggerthan yourappetite.OfferingsattheDeliincludepiledhighpastramiand cornedbeefsandwiches,reubens,hotpaninis,hamburgersandsalads.Opendaily1–8p.m.
506South1stStreet,Immokalee 800-218-0007www.moreinparadise.com
CapeCabaretDinnerTheater
CapeCabaretDinner Theaterisabeautiful upscalevenuededicated todining,dancing,live musicandcomedy shows.Wefeaturea completedinnermenu, threefullbars,twolarge diningroomswithhardwooddancefloorsanda largeoutdoorpatio.Our entertainmentincludes livemusicfromthe60’s tothe90’sandthebest tributebandshowsinSWFL.Wespecializeinhostingyourprivate eventsandpartiesfor24to350guests.ExecutiveChefPabloFelix andhisstaffpreparedeliciousappetizers,entreesanddesserts dailyforyourenjoyment.Walk-insarewelcome,butreservations arerecommended.Reserveonlineorcall.
4725VincennesBlvd.,CapeCoral 239-549-3000www.capecabaret.com
EE-TO-LEET-KEGrill
TheEE-TO-LEETKEGrillatSeminole Casinofeaturescontemporaryregional cuisinesutilizingthe freshestselectionsof Primeagedbeef,fresh seafood,andanarray oflocally-sourcedproduce.Itswide-ranging menuofferspastas, housemadesoups, steaks,seafoodandchefspecialtyitemsincludingaward-winning twinlobstertails,smotheredchickenandtheever-populargrilled ribeye.Opendaily9a.m.–midnight.
506South1stSt.,Immokalee 800-218-0007 www.moreinparadise.com
EllaMae’sDiner
Nostalgiaserved withasmile.Afun retro-inspiredeatery servingcomfortfood andclassicdinerfare. Slideintoaboothor pulluptothecounter foraburgerandmilkshakeorthebestalldaybreakfastyou’ve everhad.EllaMae’s providesawelcome twisttotheclassic southerndiner. CelebratingDr.Ella MaePiper’slegacy,it’s herethecommunity comestogetherto sharestoriesasthey enjoyamealamidstvintage-inspiredfinishesandabright colorpalette.EllaMae’sYogurtParfaitincludesfreshseasonalberries,granola,andadrizzleofhoney.EllaMae’sDiner atLuminaryHotel&Co.isafunretro-inspiredeateryserving upcomfortfoodandclassicdinerfare.Slideintoaboothor pulluptothecounterforaburgerandmilkshakeorthebest all-daybreakfastyou’veeverhad.EllaMae’sisopendaily from7amto2pm.Servingbreakfastalldayandlunch.
LuminaryHotel,2200EdwardsDrive,FortMyers 239-314-3854
www.LuminaryHotel.com
OxbowBar&Grill
Casualdocksidediningonthe doorstepof DowntownFort Myers.Panoramic riverfrontviewson the Caloosahatchee. Aboater’sretreat withanupbeat nauticalvibe. Servingcoastal cuisineandmore forbrunch,lunch anddinner.Retail andrentalsto igniteyourspiritofadventure.Diveintofreshseafood,oystersonthehalfshell,steaks,signaturesandwiches,fresh salads,localcraftbeersandcuratedcocktails.Ourhoursare Monday-Thursday4-10p.m.,FridayandSaturday11a.m. -11p.m.andSunday11a.m.-9p.m.Wenowofferbrunch onSaturdays,too.
1300HendrySt.FortMyers 239-314-3856
www.oxbowfortmyers.com
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SilverKingOceanBrasserie
Acoastal,chef-drivenmenuunlikeany otherrestaurantin FortMyers. Complementedbya strikinginteriorthat’s asappealingtothe eyesasthedishesare tothepalette.Asthe Luminary’ssignature restaurant,TheSilver KingOceanBrasserie offersamenushowcasingthequalityof freshseafoodthroughclean,simplepreparationsusingclassic techniquesforamodernpalate.Centeredonanopenkitchen, thesophisticatedrestaurantfeaturesacoastal-inspiredmenu andadditionaloutdoorseatstorelaxandindulgeinthefinest localseafoodinSouthwestFlorida.NestledwithinSilverKing, you’llfindTheFloridaRoom,aprivatediningspacethatseats 14guests,perfectforintimategatheringsandcelebrationsand namedafterFloridaHeitman.Ifyourgroupislarger,wefeatureavarietyofvenueswithentertainingoptionsavailable fromuniqueseatingtotailoredmenus.HoursareTuesdaySaturdayfrom5-10p.m.
LuminaryHotel,2200EdwardsDrive,FortMyers
239-314-3855
www.LuminaryHotel.com
SouthernGrill
TheSouthernGrillattheShellFactoryisafullrestaurant includingliquor, beerandwine. Wehaveanoutdoorbarand partyvenue. Thereisno entryfeetoget intotheShell Factorystoreor restaurants. Parkingisfree. Whileyouare herevisittheNaturePark,FunPark,CarouselandSoaring EagleZipline.
16554N.ClevelandAve.,NorthFortMyers 239-995-3999
www.shellfactory.com
TikiHutBar&Grill
atDolphinKeyResort
There'salwayssomethingtodoattheTikiHutBar& GrillattheDolphinKeyResort.LocatedinDowntownCape Coral,the biggestTiki barinthe worldoffers liveentertainment Wednesday through Sunday,Key WestStyle Relax
Wednesday andThursday, Lightoutdoor atmosphere,sofamily,andfriendstwoorfourleggedare welcome.Greatfoodmenu,withFloridaSpecials,pool table,TVs.Open7days.Kitchenopenlate.
1502MiramarSt.,CapeCoral 239-540-8454
www.dolphinkeyresort.com
TwistedFork
TheTwistedForkisahot-rodandmoto-culturethemed restaurant featuringa scratch kitchen andcustomcocktails.A family friendly space adjacent Bert's Back Porchconcertvenue withloadsofoutdoorspace,ithasrapidlybecome CharlotteCounty'shottestplacetoeat,drinkandhavefun!" 2208ElJobeanRoad,PortCharlotte 941-235-3675
www.twistedfork.net
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-69 •Armed •Unarmed •Uniformed •Licensed •Insured ProfessionalSecurity (239)415-7007 Licensed,educatedemployees SPECIALIZINGIN... •CrowdControl •SportingEvents •Concerts •Arena/Stadium •Banquets/Halls •BlockParties ServingallofFlorida SeHablaEspanol St.Lic.#B2000112 SuncoastSecurity SuncoastSecurity www.SuncoastSecurity.bizEmail:SuncoastScrty@aol.com
SoulCircus Cowboys
Molly Hatchet
SoulCircus Cowboys entertained theafternoon crowdon Feb.5. Atleftislead vocalistBilly McKnight, andatright, areDan Turner(bass) andDewey Buxton (guitar& vocals). photosby JamieKuser
Maiden Cane MajestyofRock
MaidenCaneopenedforMollyHatchetFeb.4. PicturedareJoeyGilbertandCliffRandi.
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MajestyofRockwasthefinalactofthedayonFeb.5.Picturedare JohnDʼAgostino(leadvocals)andDennisPelchat(drums). MajestyofRockwillbeatTheStageinBonitaSpringsonMarch17and atCapeCabaretDinnerTheaterinCapeCoralonMarch23.
BertʼsSWFLMusicandMotorcycleFestivalwasheldFeb.4and5atTwistedForkinPortCharlotte.Southernrockers MollyHatchet(above)performedFeb.4.PicturedareJimmyElkins(left)andBobbyIngram(right).