March 2023 Happenings Magazine

Page 1

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&LTheatreinNaples.

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

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&LTheatrelocatedonLivingstonRoad 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&LTheatre, 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&LTheatre, 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&LTheatre, 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.

M USIC 44-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
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.

M USIC
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

M USIC
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.

M USIC
50-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
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&LTheatre 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
56-MARCH2023

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.

HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-57
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
60-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
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
HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-61
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.

62-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine F ORT M YERS R IVER D ISTRICT
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.

HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-65
GulfCoastSymphonyofferedafreeconcertatCaloosaSound AmphitheaterFeb.3tokickoffArtFestFortMyersweekend.

CaloosahatcheeCelticFestival

TheCityofFortMyerspresented theannualCaloosahatcheeCeltic FestivalJan.27and28atCaloosa SoundAmphitheaterindowntownFort Myers.Thetwo-dayfestivalfeatured

performancesbyAlbannach, ScreamingOrphans,TheByrne Brothers,WestofGalway,Cage O’Hanlon,BlueSkyePipes&Drums andtheKellynCelticDancers.

66-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine F ORT M YERS R IVER D ISTRICT
TheByrneBrothers JoanDiverofScreamingOrphans- photosbyJamieKuser StephenStadlerofWestofGalway BernieGreenofWestofGalway BlueSkyePipes&Drums

TheMolly Ringwalds

HappeningsMagazine MARCH2023-67
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

68-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine

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.
70-MARCH2023 HappeningsMagazine
MajestyofRockwasthefinalactofthedayonFeb.5.Picturedare JohnDʼAgostino(leadvocals)andDennisPelchat(drums). MajestyofRockwillbeatTheStageinBonitaSpringsonMarch17and atCapeCabaretDinnerTheaterinCapeCoralonMarch23. BertʼsSWFLMusicandMotorcycleFestivalwasheldFeb.4and5atTwistedForkinPortCharlotte.Southernrockers MollyHatchet(above)performedFeb.4.PicturedareJimmyElkins(left)andBobbyIngram(right).

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.