May-June 2022

PREVIEWS

On The Gulf NEWS &

Venice Theatre Hosts Global Festival

Venice Theatre is hosting aactWorldFest, an international community theatre festival, June 20-26. The week-long festival features theatre groups from Armenia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and The United States. In addition, Splash Theatre Company from Ukraine, originally planning to attend, will now be presenting their show virtually. The theatre festival returns after a forced hiatus last year due to the pandemic. This will be the fourth time Venice Theatre has hosted aactWorldFest since 2010.

In addition to enjoying performances from around the globe, festival goers can participate in interactive educational workshops and enjoy social events. Performances will be in the MainStage Jervey Theatre, which seats 432, and the Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre, a black box theatre that seats 90.

Armenia’s Yerevan State Puppet Theatre returns to the festival with two shows: The Wolf, an Armenian fairy tale brought to life through puppets, shadows, humans, music and lighting; and

aactWorldFest showcases community theatre troupes from 11 countries, June 20-26 at Venice Theatre.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, adapted from the best-selling book.

Brazil is represented by award winning puppeteer and musician Caio Stolai with a performance of Circo Poeira (translated as Dust Circus). This one-man show was a standout in the 2010 festival.

Nez Nets et Cie brings us La Vie Revee De Nous (translated as Life Dreams of Us) offers French clowning at its best.

Berlin’s The Wild Bunch presents Der Kinoerzähler, which means ‘the movie teller.’ Three actors, one saxophonist and one drummer use music and video projections to enhance the story of a grandfather who defends himself from being dispensable.

Italy’s Teatro delle Ombre present Clan MacBeth, based on the Shakespearean play. This surreal production is not a classical performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Also from Italy, Rome’s Maner Manush Troupe will present The Fabulous Journey, in the commedia dell’arte style, inspired by the traveling ensembles who performed throughout Italy in the 16th century.

Zapadnia Theatre from Opole, Poland performs a new production of Symbiosis, inspired by the novel, The Piano Teacher, by Elfride Jelinek and Heartsnatcher, written by Boris Vian.

Slovenia is represented by the youth theatre school from Prva Gimnazija high school in Maribor with a production of Don Quixote. Theatre Beloe from Geneva, Switzerland presents Passion Scrambled Egg Theatre

Company, from the United Kingdom, perform a hilarious comedy, A Man of No Importance. It has been described as James Bond as a comedy.

The Lexington Players, from New England, won top honors at aact’s National Festival. This year, they will perform Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop, a fictional depiction of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth, for the first time.

In a very special virtual performance, Ukraine’s Splash Theatre Company will share a production of one of the most popular plays in Ukrainian literature: Stolen Happiness, by Ivan Franko. This production tells the story with songs, dances, and costumes from Ukrainian folklore.

schedule

Monday, June 20

6:30pm: Opening Ceremony

8pm: performance from Brazil

9:20pm: performance from USA

10:20pm-1am: after party

Tuesday, June 21

1pm: performance from USA

2:20pm: performance from Brazil

7pm: Commedia performance from Italy

8:20pm: performance from France

9:40pm: performance from Armenia

Wednesday, June 22

1pm: performance from Armenia

2:20pm: performance from France

3:40pm: Commedia performance from Italy

evening social event tba

Thursday, June 23

6:30pm: performance from Poland

7:50pm: performance from Germany

9:10pm: performance from Switzerland

Friday, June 24

12:30pm: performance from Switzerland

1:50pm: performance from Germany

3:10pm: performance from Poland

7pm: performance from UK

8:20pm: performance of Clan Macbeth from Italy

9:40pm: performance from Armenia

10:40pm: After Party

saTurday, June 25

12:30pm: performance of Clan Macbeth from Italy

1:50pm: performance from UK

3:10pm: performance from Armenia

6:30-8pm: Gala

8-9:30pm: Closing Ceremony

9:30pm-1am: After Party

sunday, June 26

American Association of Community Theatre meeting.

Registration for a variety of ticket packages are available.

The Jetsetter package includes admission to the Jervey Theatre shows where registrants select their seats, admission to Pinkerton shows with reserved seating; opening ceremony, all workshops, all afterglow parties, the closing Gala, and free drinks.

The Paradise package includes admission to the Jervey Theatre shows only, opening ceremony, all workshops, all afterglow parties, and the closing Gala.

The Beachcomber package includes admission to the Jervey Theatre shows only, all workshops and afterglow parties. Those interested in seeing shows, but not attending the entire festival, will have the opportunity to purchase single show tickets for each performance. Single tickets are expected to go on sale on or about May 1. Schedule of performances may change.

Venice Theatre is located at 140 Tampa Ave. W., off N Tamiami Trail in Historic Downtown Venice. For more information, to register, and to volunteer to help with the festival, call 941-488-1115.

ToulouseLautrec at Naples Art N

aples Art’s exhibition, ‘Toulouse-Lautrec: Master of the Belle Époque’ brings to life the Parisian world of the 1890s. The exhibition features more than 150 pieces from the largest, privately held collection of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s graphic works, including posters, lithographs, sketches, illustrations and watercolors, including some of his most famous color lithographs, advertising posters, pencil and ink drawings, commercial sketches and magazine illustrations.

Toulouse-Lautrec’s upbringing in aristocratic French society stands in stark contrast to the Bohemian, anti-bourgeois world

he depicted in his celebrated work—the non-conformist world in which he felt most at home. Stunted in his growth as a child and shunned from elite society, Toulouse-Lautrec used commercial media—most notably advertising—to help blur the lines that separated what was deemed ‘high’ and ‘low’ art of the time.

“Toulouse-Lautrec was an artist who observed and documented with profound psychological insight the personalities and facets of Parisian nightlife,” said Frank Verpoorten, executive director and chief curator of Naples Art. “He gave notoriety and dignity to the marginalized sub-culture of French society whom he depicted with sympathetic affection. As one of modernism’s most humane and influential artists, Toulouse-Lautrec was also a technical pioneer who was at the forefront of modern printmaking.”

After introductions to the artist and his period, the exhibition is divided into ten thematic sections: Advertising Posters, Aristide Bruant, Drawings, The Belle Époque, Le Revue Blanche, Le Rire, Lithography, The Café-Concerts, The Legacy of Toulouse-Lautrec, Yvette Guilbert.

‘Toulouse-Lautrec: Master of the Belle Époque’ is on view at Naples Art thru June 12. Naples

Art is located at 585 Park St., one block south of Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. Naples Art is open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (Thu til 9pm) & Sun 11am-4pm. For information, call 262-6517.

SpaceCon Returns to SWFL

This comic book & science fiction convention, SWFL SpaceCon, returns to Fort Myers on June 11 at the Luminary Hotels Caloosa Sound Convention Center

The event features special guests from the film and comic book industries, as well as gaming, costume contests, and vendors. Special guests from film and TV include: Tracee Cocco (Star Trek, Baywatch, General Hospital), Chase Masterson (Star Trek, The Flash, Pandora), and Ryan Bartley (Beyblade Burst Surge, Demon Slayer). Special guests from the comic book community include: Darren Auck

Tracee Cocco, of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Baywatch,’ is one of several special guests scheduled to apper at SWFL SpaceCon, June 11 in Fort Myers.

Naples Art’s hosts an exhibition of some of Toulouse-Lautrec’s most famous works thru June 12.

On The Gulf

(Marvel, Ren & Stimpy, Rocko’s Modern Life) Tim Townshed (Marvel Comics, X-Men, Spider-Man) and Victor Gischler (Deadpool, Punisher Max, X-Men). ! There will be a dedicated game room with tabletop gaming, retro video gaming, D&D demos, and game demos throughout the day. Photograph and autograph opportunities will be available as well.

The convention is indoors, June 11 from 10:30am-6pm.

Luminary Hotels Caloosa Sound Convention Center in located at 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers’ Historic River District. Admission for children under 12 is free (one free kids admission per paying adult). For information, call 704236-2748.

Mayfaire by-the-Lake Fest Celebrates 50 Years M

ayfaire by-the-Lake is a free, juried fine art festival held Mother’s Day weekend, May 7 & 8, on the shores of Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland, Florida. The weekend fine art festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary, features 145 artist booths with art of all media. In addition, there will be the Mayfaire Kid Zone, food vendors, live entertainment and performances, and a 50th Anniversary exhibition at the nearby Polk Museum of Art.

The Polk Museum will be the 50th Anniversary ‘headquarters’ and will celebrate Mayfaire’s history with special exhibitions, including ‘Mayfaire at 50: Award Winners.’

The Lakeland Runners Club’s 43rd Annual Mayfaire 5K will be held Saturday evening, May 8. The run begins at 7pm near Lake Mirror and ends on Francis C. Langford Promenade.

Mayfaire by-the-Lake is open 9am-4pm both Saturday & Sunday. The expanded Mayfaire Kids Zone is located on the corner of E. Walnut Ave. & Indiana Ave. The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College is located at 800 E. Palmetto St. in Lakeland. The museum is open Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. Lake Morton is a block away, surrounded by Lake Morton Dr. For information, call 863-688-7743.

Presentation Explores Celtic & Scottish Influence in Florida

The Estero Historical Society hosts a living history presentation called ‘Tartan & Targe’, on June 11 at the Country Creek Country Club in Estero. The presentation explores the mid-18th century Jacobite Uprisings in England and Scotland, which led to

the formation of Great Britain and had a profound impact on American history as well, particularly the French & Indian War and the American Revolution. The presentation is at 2pm. Local history presenter, Jacob Winge, in full 1740’s Jacobite costume, will demonstrate how these events across the Atlantic exerted Celtic and Scottish influence in the development and settlement of areas in America, particularly in Florida. Advance registration is requested.

The Country Creek Country Club is located at 21135 Country Club Drive, in Estero.

The Estero Historical Society museum, housed in two early20th century buildings—a one room schoolhouse and a historic cottage—is located inside Estero Park at 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. in Estero. The museum is open Saturdays 1-4pm. Call 2721911 for information.

LunaFest Showcases Women Filmmakers

The Alliance for the Arts hosts LunaFest, a film festival that celebrates a powerful and diverse set of women filmmakers and helps expose their short films to a national platform.

Both in-person and online options are available for viewing films. Screenings are scheduled for May 13, 6-8:30pm in Foulds Theatre at the Alliance. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Films can also be viewed online from noon, May 13- noon May 15.

Films being screened include:

• How to Be at Home, by Halifax-based filmmaker Andrea,

is an animated poem about coping with isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Close Ties to Home Country, by Akanksha Cruczynski, is an Indian writer and filmmaker, is a short film about an immigrant dog walker who finds connection in the hearts of the wealthy pets she cares for.

• Generation Impact: The Coder, by Samantha Knowles, a Brooklynbased documentary filmmaker, is about a 13-year-old girl that designs and builds a mobile app to help kids stay connected to their incarcerated parents by sending photos and letters.

• Proof of Loss, Katherine Fisher’s directorial debut, tells the story of a father and daughter, who, after a fire destroys their home, must find a way to salvage what: each other.

• When You Clean a Stranger’s Home, by Sharon Arteaga, a firstgeneration Mexican-American filmmaker from Corpus Christi, Texas, describes what a firstgeneration high school student and her mom learn about people when cleaning their homes.

• Between the Lines: Liz at Large, a debut film by Abi Cole, tells the story of an artist, frustrated with the lack of character diversity in The New Yorker’s cartoons, who submits her own illustrations, becoming the first Black woman cartoonist in the magazine’s near-century run.

• Wearable Tracy, by independent filmmaker Emily McAllister, documents a Bronx woman’s accidental social experiment that connects her with fellow New Yorkers who might otherwise forever remain strangers.

• To the Future, with Love, by Shaleece Haas & Hunter ‘Pixel’ Jimenez, is an animated selfportrait of a nonbinary trans teen caught between the expectations of his Guatemalan immigrant family and his dreams of living happily ever after with his longdistance boyfriend.

The Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. Call 939-2787 for information.

Spring Shows at The Baker Museum

The Baker Museum is hosting two special exhibitions through July 24: ‘Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group’

Mayfaire by-the-Lake is a free fine art festival held May 7 & 8 on Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland, Florida.

The Estero Historical Society hosts a living history presentation on June 11 exploring Celtic and Scottish influence in Florida.

and a companion exhibition, ‘Invisible Thread.’

‘Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group’ is the first exhibition of this important group of American modernists to be shown beyond New Mexico’s borders, and the first to be accompanied by a major scholarly publication. ‘Another World’ is devoted to an often-overlooked group of 20th-century abstract artists who pursued enlightenment and spiritual illumination.

The exhibition, featuring 89 works made by 11 visionary abstractionists associated with the Transcendental Painting Group, provides a broad perspective on the group’s work and repositions it within the history of modern painting and 20th-century American art.

Toward the end of the Great Depression, a loose configuration of artists organized to promote an alternative to the social realist and regional art that then dominated the art world. Initiated in New Mexico in 1938, the Transcendental Painting Group set out to explore spiritually heightened abstraction. Under the guidance of Raymond Jonson and Emil Bisttram, artists Agnes Pelton, Lawren Harris, Florence Miller Pierce, Horace Pierce, Robert Gribbroek, William Lumpkins, Dane Rudhyar, Stuart Walker and Ed Garman sought “to carry painting beyond the appearance of the physical world, through new concepts of space, color, light and design to imaginative realms that are idealistic and spiritual.”

Inspired by the ideas of artist and theorist Wassily Kandinsky, as well as by American painters Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley and Georgia O’Keeffe, these artists evoked sensuous experiences of nature and ideas, creating works that embodied a higher spiritual reality. Though the group dispersed during World War II, their works were an important chapter in the history of 20th-century American art.

‘Invisible Thread’, a companion exhibition to ‘Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group’, explores the works of 12 contemporary artists who approach spirituality, transcendence and the subconscious through abstraction and metaphorical representation. This exhibition includes a wide array of mediums and techniques, including performance, film, sculpture and painting.

Artists included in the exhibition include Lala Abaddon, Natalie Ball, David Bordett, Awol Erizku, Jeffrey Gibson, Dom Sylvester Houédard, Rachel Libeskind, Tony Rodrigues, Shikeith, Panos Tsagaris, Neha Vedpathak and Monsieur Zohore.

Arts—Naples’ The Baker Museum hosts several traveling exhibitions annually to complement installations of works from its permanent collection, comprising more than 4,000 objects of 20th- and 21st-century art, includinig outstanding collections of American and Mexican modern art.

The Baker Museum, located at

5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples, is open Tue-Sat 10am-4pm & Sun 12-4pm. For information, call 597-1900.

Davis Art Center Hosts

Fort Myers Film Festival

The 12th annual Fort Myers Film Festival, May 18-22, will feature 73 independent films by American filmmakers, several shot in Florida, as well as films from Canada, Venezuela, Iran, France, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Netherlands, Phillipines and Russia. Screenings are at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, May 18-22. Film categories include: Features, Documentaries, Shorts, Short Shorts, Strictly Local, Student, and Environment. The film festival opens May 18 with a screening of the film, Calendar Girls at 7pm. A VIP cocktail party with cast and crew, as well as other filmmakers, will precede the screening, starting at 5:30pm. The event concludes with a live performance by the Calendar Girls and a sunset party at Sidney’s, the rooftop of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

Calendar Girls is a coming-ofgolden-age movie about a group of local senior volunteer dancers in Southwest Florida determined to prove that age is just a number. Through revealing conversations and choreographed dance scenes, the documentary captures the

challenges of being a woman over 60 and the delicate balance of family, home and dance.

Another highlight of the film festival is the screening of The Long Breakup, by Katya Soldak, a Ukrainian-American filmmaker now living in Brooklyn, NY. The feature-length documentary is about Ukraine’s attempt to escape Russia’s embrace and become an independent European country.

Other films from Florida are:

• Missing Meadows, Restoring Florida’s Seagrass, a documentary short film

• The People who Live Here, a documentary feature about Lakeland, Florida

• Of Our Tresspass, a film short

• It’s Just Parkinson’s, a documentary feature

• Tales of Sunshine: Florida EcoStories, a documentary feature

• The Lost Age, a film short

• Apples, Oranges, Lemons & Limes, a feature film

The weeklong festival concludes May 22 with a filmmaker panel and closing awards ceremony at 5:30pm, followed by a screening of the short documentary, The Koreshans: Legends and Legacies of Estero’s Pioneers, and a sunset afterparty, starting at 6:30pm, on the Davis Center’s rooftop lounge. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in Fort Myers’ Historic River District. For information, call 810-6323.

‘‘The Long Breakup’, by a Ukrainian-American filmmaker, is a documentary about Ukraine’s attempt to escape Russia’s embrace.

‘Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group’ is on view at The Baker Museum in Naples thru July 24.

I did not know that by 1867, the Philadalphia Pythians were an established all-black professional baseball team.

The History of the Game

by Andrew Elias

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS ago this past April 15 marked the date when baseball, and America, changed forever—the day Jackie Robinson played his first major league game for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking what was known as the ‘color barrier’. Many books have been written about Jackie Robinson and his important place in baseball, and American history, but there are others, who played before, with and after Robinson, worthy of attention and acclaim. Several new books have been recently released that shine a much-needed spotlight on these players and their remarkable stories.

Before Brooklyn

The

Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball’s Color Barrier

by Ted Reinsten (Lyons Press)

This book tells the stories of the little-known heroes who fought segregation in baseball, some decades before Jackie Robinson played his first major league game (Moses Fleetwood played professional baseball in 1884!) and some only years before that historic event (a city councilman in Boston persuaded the Red Sox to try out three black players in exchange for a vote to allow games to be played on Sundays, only to have the deal collapse at the last moment).

Well researched and crisply written, Reinsten unearths

several little known facts and stories I had not known. As an example, I did not know that by 1867, the Philadelphia Pythians were a well-established all-black professional baseball team that regularly played all-white ballclubs from Washington and Chicago. When the team applied to join the Pennsylvania Base Ball Association, they were met with the first organized barring of ‘any club which may be composed of one or more colored persons’. The National Association of Base ball Players soon followed with their own ban of black players. Barred from the white leagues, the Pythians’ membership swelled, expanding to four separate teams, all based in Philadelphia.

If you, like I, am a fan of baseball history, you will be pleasantly surprised by what you will learn.

After Jackie 15 Pioneers Who Helped Change the Face of Baseball

by Jeffrey S. Copeland (Paragon House)

Telling the stories of a truly all-star team, this book shines a light on the black players who followed Jackie Robinson into a league, and nation, uneasy with the idea of integrating professional baseball. The Dodgers were only one of 16 teams in the major leagues at the time. These 15 players each were the first black players on their teams and each has a unique journey to the Major Leagues.

Some are Hall of Famers: Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs), Larry Doby (Cleveland Indians), Minnie Minoso (Chicago White Sox), Monte Irvin (New York Giants); and some became stars: Pumpsie Green (Boston Red Sox—12 years after Robinson

‘After Jackie’ tells the stories of the first black players on the other 15 professional baseball teams.

entered the league!), and Elston Howard (New York Yankees); while you may not have heard of others: Hank Thompson (St. Louis Brown), Sam Jethroe (Boston Braves), Curt Roberts (Pittsburgh Pirates). Each became a hero in his own circumstances, eventually enjoying the careers they could, at one time, never imagined possible.

Copeland tells each man’s unique story, both on the field and off, in a style that makes for an informative yet fun read.

Our Team

The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball

by Luke Epplin (FLatiron Books)

In great detail, Epplin traces the amazing story of the integration of the Cleveland Indians through four historic baseball figures: Bill Veeck, the eccentric and visionary owner of the team; Larry Doby, who entered the American league just three months after Jackie Robinson debuted with the National League’s Brooklyn Dodgers; Bob Feller, a pitching prodigy from America’s heartland; and Satchel Paige, the Negro League’s preeminent star player.

Veeck was quite a character and even more exciting showman, having introduced pregame shows, between inning giveaways and postgame firework displays, but perhaps, most importantly, he integrated the Cleveland Indians and the American League, and helped drive the national pastime into the modern age.

Feller was a new kind of player, with

an understanding of the business of professional baseball. He was the first player to incorporate himself, and he organized barnstorming tours off season where he battled teammate Paige.

Paige was 42 years old and a legend throughout the country, drawing huge crowds of both whites and blacks to the ballpark (Cleveland’s attendance surpassed 2.6 million in 1948!). Doby, after floundering in his first season, exploded in 1948, becoming a bona fide star. While Paige was flamboyant and at ease in public, a humorous raconteur, Doby was reserved and often had trouble dealing with the burdens of publicity.

Packed with details this page-turner of a book is ultimately the unlikely story of four very different individuals coming together as a team to win the ultimate baseball trophy, the World Series.

Baseball Rebels

The Players, People, and Social Movements

That Shook Up the Game and Changed America by Peter Dreier & Robert Elias (university oF neBraska Press)

Since it emerged in the 1880s as the national pastime, baseball has not been immune from America’s battles with racism and sexism. And while some of the people who helped push important changes to the game, on the field and in the executive suites, are widely recognized, there are many others deserving of acclaim and honor.

This book tells the stories of people like Sam Nahem, who organized an integrated military

baseball team that won a championship in 1945, two years before Jackie Robinson broke professional baseball’s ‘color-barrier’. There is the story of Toni Stone, the first of three women to play with the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro Leagues, and the story of Dave Pallone, major league baseball’s first openly gay umpire.

Although you may know about legendary baseball figures that fought for social justice, such as Branch Rickey, Jackie Robinson, Curt Flood, Satchel Paige and Billy Bean, there are several others that even the most rabid baseball fans are unaware of. Thankfully, they get their due in this important book.

Whispers of the Gods

Tales From Baseball’s Golden Age, Told by the Men Who Played It by Peter Golenbock (rowan & LittLeFieLd)

An interesting book, culled from hundreds of hours of taped interviews, features the stories and memories of Hall of Famers and All-Stars such as Phil Rizzuto, Jim Bouton, Stan Musial, and Roger Maris. Ted Williams explains why he believes Shoeless Joe Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame, Roy Campanella talks about his life in the Negro Leagues, and Tom Sturdivant recalls his times on the New York Yankees with Casey Stengel and Mickey Mantle.

An oral history, the players recall their journey to the ‘big show’, share their triumphs and defeats, and describe what it was like to play with some of the games’ greatest. •

Bailey Bigger has a voice soundng

somehere between Judy Gillian Welch and Judy Collins.

Americana Spring

by Andrew Elias

Bailey Bigger Coyote Red

With a voice sounding somewhere between Gillian Welch and Judy Collins, Bailey offers a dazzling collection of personal songs delivered with a casual comfort that belies their depth. The combination of her luscious vocals and upbeat melodies make for an album perfect for spring and summer.

‘You Somehow’ is a bona fide gem. But it does not stand alone. ‘No Falling Out of Love’ and ‘God Help Me Stop Forgiving’ are particularly moving. Another standout, in that it is really a blues song amidst a collection of folksongs, is ‘The Levee’.

Her band is outstanding throughout, offering lilting piano, sparkling guitars, and delicious mandolin accents.

Whether it be the honesty and grace of her songwriting or vulnerability and beauty of her vocals, Bailey Bigger is sure to become a star on the American music scene.

Taylor Rae Mad Twenties

A strong debut by an exciting singer/songwriter, Mad Twenties showcases Rae’s infectious energy and affinity for a bluesy country style that moves into pop and jazzy territories, a sound that evokes the influences of the likes of Sheryl Crow, Grace Potter, Norah Jones and Miranda Lambert.

‘Sink or Swim’ is a standout, sounding a lot like it could be a track on one of Kacey Musgraves’ albums; as is ‘Never Gonna Do’, which sounds like it could be a recent release from Maren Morris. ‘Fixer Upper’ sounds a bit like something from a Jenny Lewis album.

With a knack for writing songs with an indelible hook, and a beautiful voice, Taylor

Rae deserves the success she will inevitably attain.

Mad Twenties is just the start of a promising career.

The Whitmore Sisters Ghost Stories

There is nothing quite like the harmonies of family members and that has never been more apparent than with the singing of the sisters, Eleanor & Bonnie Whitmore. Although Bonnie has released four albums of her own, and Eleanor has made four with her husband, Chris Masterson, as The Mastersons, this album marks the sisters’ first collaboration.

Showcasing not only their remarkable ‘blood harmonies’, but also their considerable songwriting talents, Ghost Stories tackles the emotional

‘Ghost Stories’ showcases the Whitmore Sisters’ remarkable harmonies and considerable songwriting talents.

landscape of grief, loss and longing. ‘‘Friends We Leave Behind’ is heartbreakingly gorgeous, the title track is hauntingly melancholic, and ‘Hurtin’ for a Letdown’ sounds like a classic, certain to be covered by many duos.

But the album is not just a collection of sad songs. ‘Big Heart Sick Mind’ is a rocking hoot, and the fiddle-driven ‘The Ballad of Sissy & Porter’ is an oddly upbeat tale of a tragedy. The sisters also offer a beautiful cover of Sir Paul McCartney’s ‘On the Wings of a Nightingale’, written for the Everly Brothers. The Whitmores’ version is better.

An outstanding country music album, filled with heart and soul.

The Honey Dewdrops Light Behind Light

Imagined and created during the pandemic, The Honey Dewdrops’ seventh album deals with themes of loss and mercy, memories and death. The first track, ‘Delia’, is a fresh re-imagining of the classic folk tale tragedy of Stagger Lee, with Laura Wortman’s sorrow soaking every line. Another gem, ‘Heart Wants’, finds the duo trading licks, Laura Wortman on banjo and Kagey Parrish on acoustic guitar. Amazingly, the songs that follow, ‘Weep’, ‘Luck’ and ‘Moon Pies’ are their equals, deeply emotional explorations of the human condition.

Sparse and intimate, honest and direct, The Honey Dewdrops’s new album matches the best album’s by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. This is top shelf mountain music, sweetly soulful and with impeccable musicianship.

Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder Get On Board

The Songs of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee

First playing together in 1965 in a seminal and short-lived blues band, The Rising Sons, both Mahal and Cooder have had long and storied careers featuring some of the classic albums of rock’s golden ages of the 1960s and 1970s. Each has been a pioneer of what

is now known as Americana roots music, and each an influence on dozens, if not hundreds, of musicians enjoying success in the genre today.

Just as they have been a huge influence of so many musicians, they, too, have been influenced by many trailblazing musicians that preceded them. Get On Board pay homage to two of the greatest folk and blues artists, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee.

Recorded in his son’s living room, the album features Taj’s unique growling vocals and harmonica, and Cooder’s expert guitar playing, occasionally picking up a banjo or mandolin. Joachim Cooder adds drums and bass. It is stark in it’s simplicity, and it is that simplicity that allows the genius of Terry & McGhee to shine.

The collection includes folk classics like, ‘The Midnight Special’, ‘Pick a Bale of Cotton’ and ‘I Shall Not Be Moved’ along with lesser-known nuggets like ‘Pawn Shop Blues’, ‘Cornbread, Peas, Black Molasses’ and ‘Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee’. For those once familiar with this important music, Get

On Board is a refreshing rediscovery, and for those unfamiliar with these historic songs, it is a great introduction.

It is almost criminal that Taj and Cooder have not yet been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This album reinforces the wrong of that oversight. It also makes a good case for induction of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee as well.

Jeremie Albino Past Dawn

With the first words out of his mouth, you can tell that Albino is the real deal. When he sings, “All I ever wanted was a house and a couple of acres of land’, you understand his plea and appreciate his passion. Equally adept at writing an anthemlike rocker (‘Acre of Land’) as an intimate folk ballad (‘Lola’), and even a soulful groove (‘Rollin’), his sound should appeal to fans of rootsy Americana music. In the tradition of the likes of Springsteen, Mellencamp and Browne—Albino speaks to our lives and dreams.

Produced by Shovel & Rope’s Michael Trent, Past Dawn is an auspicious album from an exciting new troubadours. Listen to his soaring ‘Acre of Land’ and see if you can resist him. •

by Gary Mooney

“ There is a lot going on at the Kennedy Space Center,” raves Rebecca Shireman, the Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Space Center Visitor Complex. “Our biggest news is the Grand Opening of the new ‘Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex’ that we are opening this spring, with a tentative date of early May. ‘Gateway’ is an exciting adventure that focuses on current and future NASA space missions. In addition to ‘Gateway,’ the

Space Center is relaunching several popular programs we suspended for a while due to COVID-19 precautions, but can now happily reintroduce.”

Rebecca explains that “‘Gateway’ is a visual experience with stunning outer space images that create the sensation of what it is like to move out into the solar system, so it is not only fun and educational but wildly entertaining, as entertainment is a big component to learning these days. We offer four different space destinations and you select the one that most appeals to you. In this sense, you are essentially a space tourist going to your gate, but rather than at an airport to board a jet, you are at a space port preparing to launch. This may seem like science fiction, but it is not really that far away from becoming science fact!”

The 50,000-square-foot multi-level complex features an array of NASA and commercial artifacts, spacecrafts and equipment in innovative displays, with a 4D motion theater and unique launch viewing area. Spaceport Kennedy Space Center serves as the embarkation point for the airport of the future. Once guests enter this concourse, the sights and sounds of the galactic spaceport surround them, including launches and landings seen through the windows. Promotional videos help you select your destination choice—Uncharted Worlds, Daring Explorations, Cosmic Worlds, or the Red Planet—so you can visit a different one on later visits. You then board your spaceship that is actually the two-story 4D flying theater.

When entering Gateway’s first floor, a futuristic design sets the stage, including space artifacts and full-scale replicas suspended from the ceiling for a 360-degree experience. These include a spaceflown Orion Crew Vehicle from an EPT-1 mission and a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster from two separate SpaceX flights, along with replicas of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew Vehicle, Sierra Space’s Dream Cruiser and ULA Atlas V and Delta IV rockets.

Gateway’s second level features a 30-foot floor-to-ceiling Robotic Trail Blazers Wall where guests learn about roughly 40 space satellites and probes through touchscreen interactive displays, as well as a holographic imagery presentation on the recently-launched James Webb Space Telescope. Even Gateway’s roof is a space adventure, as guests can access it during launches, along with using powerful telescopes to view celestial events.

Rebecca explains that “the ‘Gateway’ story “originates from former and current astronauts, NASA, and our various space

partners to accurately tell the space program story through today as well as where we will be in the future in a unique way. We designed ‘Gateway’ so it is not static but will evolve and grow as the space program and its components move into the future, so that is really exciting!”

Space Center Relaunches Programs

As with every aspect of society, Covid-19 did and still does affect the Kennedy Space Center. “We had to completely close for a brief time,” recalls Rebecca. “Though we reopened, we have safety measures in place to protect our employees and guests. The Space Center enhanced cleaning protocols, has hand sanitizers everywhere, and reduced the capacity of some indoor programs. If you are vaccinated, we no longer require you to wear a facemask, but we still recommend that unvaccinated visitors do, so everyone is safe and comfortable.

The Space Center recently reintroduced ‘Chat With An Astronaut’; “a program we devised from visitor feedback,” relates Rebecca. “You meet a real-live astronaut in a small group with light refreshments, where you directly ask questions about things like living and working in outer space and learn first-hand stories about their career and inspirations. Guests call this amazing and especially inspirational for young children, because as the astronaut mesmerizes them, you often see the light bulb go on when they realize that, ‘Hey, I can one day do this too!’ We hope this inspires younger generations to join the space program as astronauts, engineers, scientists and flight directors, as we need all those occupations to make it to Mars, to turn dreams into reality. There is an additional charge for ‘Chat With An Astronaut’, but people say this once-in-alifetime experience is well worth it.”

If you cannot do ‘Chat With An Astronaut’, Rebecca assures that there are other opportunities to interact with one under the general Kennedy Space Center admission. “Astronauts generally take part in programs throughout the day; for example, you can often find one signing complimentary autographs in the gift shop, because we realize what a highlight this is for everyone. Another is the recently relaunched ‘Astronaut Encounter,’ where an astronaut speaks to guests in a free presentation. This does not have the intimate feel of ‘Chat With An Astronaut’ but is just as inspirational and educational.”

Rebecca highlights other relaunched or new Kennedy Space

‘Gateway’ is a visual experience with stunning outer space images that create You are essentially a space tourist going to your gate, but rather

Center attractions and events: “We now have a Delta II rocket in the ‘Rocket Garden,’ along with one of the last three Saturn V rockets that at 360 feet remains the largest ever launched into space, so that is cool and terrific. The ‘Rocket Garden’ is a comprehensive collection of space-flown vehicles that always excites visitors. Another terrific addition is ‘Planet Play’ for kids 2 to 12 with a fantastic futuristic design. It interactively instructs kids about the planets, with a coffee and wine bar for parents while the children play.”

A Life-Changing Moment

While the Kennedy Space Center offers many fun and educational attractions, at its heart it is all about launching assorted vehicles into outer space. “The Space Center has a hectic launch schedule for the balance of 2022,” Rebecca adds, “with as many as 50 total launches scheduled for this year. If you prefer being almost a part of the show, there is nothing like personally witnessing a launch, as it is equal parts exhilarating and mesmerizing.” The Space Center provides several options, including Rocket Launch Viewing at the Visitor Complex, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and new Gateway roof area.

“These are wonderful places to experience a launch,” enthuses Rebecca, “because you not only see it but several are close enough to hear it and feel the rumble! The Kennedy Space Center offers launch packages that include commemorative memorabilia if there is a crew aboard, as well as food and beverages, live space expert commentary, and a jumbotron screen feed. Not only are these the closest possible places to view a launch, but they have ‘creature comforts’ like restrooms, air conditioning, concessions, souvenirs and transportation. Once you see a launch up-close, it is a life-changing moment!”

For Rebecca, the best part of the Kennedy Space Center is “seeing the space shuttle Atlantis. I grew up in Titusville watching shuttle launches so those personal childhood memories still bring tears to my eyes. My dad worked for the space program so he brought me to ‘Take Your Daughter to Work’ Days and I could not imagine anything better! Others have memories just as special, like where they were when Apollo 11 landed on the moon, so when they see the Saturn V rocket, they cry as well. One common thread I hear from many visitors is the space program united our entire nation and even many parts of the world behind a common

goal, and they miss that feeling of unity in today’s often fractured society. Hopefully, the Kennedy Space Center can reignite that spirit of cooperation for a better future and, maybe, to one day set foot on Mars. That will do it!”

That Spirit of Cooperation

For those yet to see the Kennedy Space Center or have not in years, Rebecca encourages you to visit soon. “We have so many cool attractions you can literally reach out and touch, rather than artifacts behind a glass wall. I am often amazed and saddened by people who live in Florida for 20 years or more and have yet to experience us. Even if it has only been five years since your last trip, it will stun you how different the Kennedy Space Center is today.” She suggests, “Spend the entire day with us, as there is so much to do. The Space Center offers something for the entire family, and keeps alive your spirit of exploration!” •

Kennedy Space Center is located on State Route 405 in Kennedy Space Center, FL. The Space Center is open 365-days-a-year. For information, call 855-433-4210 or visit KennedySpaceCenter.com.

the sensation of what it is like to move out into the solar system. than at an airport to board a jet, you are at a space port preparing to launch.

“If you help them become a better person, you help them become a better ballplayer and vice versa.”

The Manager and the Man

by Gary Mooney

MUSSEL MAN MAY BE the mascot for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Minnesota Twins Low-A affiliate in baseball’s Florida State League, but the team’s real ‘Mussel Man’ is second year manager Brian Meyer.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Meyer managed the Mussels to a 60-54 record during his initial season in 2021, with the Twins promoting 17 of his players to the High-A level Cedar Rapids Kernels. The Twins hired Meyer in 2020, after 13 years in the college ranks. Brian was a three-year starter at 2nd base for Otterbein University from 2000-2003 while earning his Bachelor and Masters’ Degrees in Sports Management & Education. The 39-yearold began his coaching career with Otterbein before moving up to Wright State University, Tulane University, and Butler University until joining the Mussels. Today, Brian, along with Ashley, his wife of seven years, and 3-year-old son, Walker live in Cape Coral.

Brian recalls joining the Twins organization in 2020: “I just received a promotion at Butler when I ran into a former colleague, Shooter Hunt, the Twins’ first round draft pick from 2009. Shooter asked if I had any interest in professional baseball and I replied, “sure!” He said the Twins were hiring new coaches, so he forwarded my name to the front office staff, who interviewed me on a Thursday and Friday, and by Sunday offered me the hitting coach position with Fort Myers, under first-year Manager Aaron Sutton.”

The Covid-19 pandemic struck, however, resulting in the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season. “Over those 15 months, Aaron and I became quite close,” Brian recollects. “Society began to gradually reopen in 2021, so we were preparing for Spring Training when Aaron mentioned he may not return, as he and his wife were opening a restaurant. Two weeks later, he resigned. Over that prior year, Twins management asked if I had any interest in managing, and I said I did. However, I certainly never thought it might happen as soon as 2021. But they offered me the Mussels position and I said, ‘Let’s do it!’”

Manager, Mentor, Psychologist

B rian plays many roles to his players, from manager to mentor, older brother to father figure, and even psychologist. “Since I came from the college level, I have a lot of experience with their

age group, to not only bring out their best on the field, but to help them develop the necessary skills to be successful in all aspects of life, as husbands and fathers and life in general once they are done with baseball. I get to know each player individually, including their families, hobbies, girlfriends, and interests — because if you help them become a better person, you help them become a better ballplayer and vice versa. To me, relationships are everything, because to be successful, whether in sports or business or your personal life and family, you must understand what makes a person tick, to be the best they can be. I place immense value on the relationships I have with our players.”

At Low-A, some of Brian’s players are away from home for the first time and some are in a new country where they may not speak much English, “so my relationship with them is crucial,” he continues. “They are all in their first level of full-season baseball from across the nation and globe, so we emphasize that there is always someone here to go to for help, including our other coaches, coordinators or trainers.”

He continues, “When the Covid-19 lockdown canceled the 2020 season, the Twins set up Spanish Zoom classes three times a week for the staff, to better communicate with our Spanish players, as language is huge in gaining their trust. A manager must be a bit of a psychologist as well, to get inside their heads and hearts.”

Many of his Mussels players are roughly the same age as his former college charges, so what is similar and different? “With college players, you must ensure they go to class to remain eligible,” Brian offers. “Even though many of the Mussels are relatively the same age, this is their paid profession and you respect that. In college, you play on Tuesday, have a Thursday practice, and games Friday through Sunday so they have plenty of time away from the field, but here we play or practice every single day, then you throw in the hot, humid, rainy Southwest Florida weather and it becomes a daily grind. This goes back to psychology, to help them control what they can control and to stay mentally and physically fresh while still teaching the finer points of baseball so they can attain their Major League dreams. However, both groups play video games and hang out with their teammates, buddies and girlfriends!”

While Brain likes to win as much as anyone, his primary job as Mussels Manager is to develop his players to move up to High-A Cedar Rapids and beyond.

photographs by b ill p armeter

“I place immense value on the relationships I have with our players.”

Highest High to Lowest Low

While Brian likes to win as much as anyone, his primary job as Mussels Manager is to develop his players to move up to High-A Cedar Rapids and beyond. “When I tell a player he is going up, it is awesome and the best part of my job! My 2021 season highlight was telling Jeferson Morales we were promoting him. The Twins signed Jeferson from Venezuela for just $5,000, so he was a longshot prospect who overcame many personal obstacles. Tears flowed down his face. In fact, he said that when I told him, it was the first time he clearly understood every word I ever said in English.”

Conversely, Brian must tell a few players each season that their major league dreams are most likely over: “That is the worst part of my job. There is no easy way to do it, but that is part of my responsibility as a manager. You just do it and I pray I never get used to it. One day last season I told one young man he was going to Cedar Rapids and another that we were letting him go and, for me, that went from the highest-high to the lowest-low.”

There is one other aspect of his Mussels job Brian does not love — “Rain Delays!” He explains, “With the Southwest Florida rainy season, it is a constant guessing game: When to put on or take off the tarp? How much water accumulates on the field and how long will it take to drain? Watching the radar to figure out when it will stop? And how to keep the players motivated? We had two games last year where there was absolutely no sign of rain and we began to play, only to stop in the first inning due to a downpour!”

The One That is Meant to Be

Before almost every home game, you see Ashley and Walker with Brian on the Hammond

Stadium field. “We live year-round in Cape Coral and are enjoying a wonderful experience. It was tough to get a feel for Southwest Florida in 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown, then we went right into the 2021 season, so we’re at the ballpark much of the time. And

Walker has yet to start school or Little League or anything like that.”

He continues, “So far the community is tremendous. Fortunately, Ashley feels completely at home at a ballpark, as she is from Pittsburgh where her Dad was the Pirates clubhouse manager, so she fully understands and loves the baseball life and that makes everything easier for me. As for Walker... if he could spend every minute of every day at the ballpark, he would love that!”

The Mighty Mussels host the Palm Beach Cardinals May 1015; the Tampa Tarpons of the New York Yankees organization May 31-June 5; the Bradenton Marauders, the Pirates affiliate, from June 14-19; and the Dunedin Blue Jays June 28-July 3, that concludes with three consecutive fireworks displays. Each series is Tuesday-Saturday at 7pm, with Sundays at 1pm, with the exceptions of Saturday, May 14, which is at 5pm (Joe Nichols and Parmelee perform a free concert following the game) and Sunday, July 3 at 7pm.

While all of Brian’s Mussels players have Major League aspirations, does he? “Everybody dreams of the Big Leagues,” he philosophizes, “but I personally don’t look too far ahead. I do the best I can wherever I am and right now that is with the Mighty Mussels. I have a very deep faith in Our Lord, and whatever door that may one day open for me and our family is the one that is meant to be.” •

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels play at Hammond Stadium at the Lee County Sports Complex at 14100 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. in Fort Myers. For information and tickets, call 768-4210.

John Vittas broadcasts every home game and select road contests. You can hear Mussels games at mightymussels.com, at milb.com/ fort-myers/fans/audio-listen-live, and through the MiLB First Pitch App.

“Since I came from the college level, I have a lot of experience with their age group, to not only bring out their best on the field, but to help them develop the necessary skills to be successful in all aspects of life once they are done with baseball.”

Brian Meyer with his wife, Ashley and son, Walker.

MAY

SUNDAY 1

•A Tribute to Barbra: Barbra Striesand tribute concert w Sharon Owens. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 7:30p. 941-488-1115.

•BBQ & Bluegrass: Bluegrass Trailblazers. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Maxim Lando: Piano concert. U Tobe Recital Hall, Music Bldg, FGCU, 1051 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 3p. Free. 745-4268.

•Music of The RollingStones: Naples Phil & Windborne tribute concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Sarasota Music Conservatory String

Quartet: Concert. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Ln, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.

•Spring Fling: Crafts, games, educational activities, face painting, petting zoo, bubble dance party, parent & child yoga. Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. 11a-1p. 514-0084.

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

•Taste of the Beach: Food,

drinks, vendors, live music. Salty Sam’s Marina, 2500 Main St, Ft Myers Beach. 11a4p. 454-7500.

•The Special Consensus: Modern bluegrass concert. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Clearwater Threshers: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers.12p. 768-4210.

MONDAY 2

•A Tribute to Barbra: Barbra Striesand tribute concert w Sharon Owens. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 2 & 7:30p. 941-4881115.

TUESDAY 3

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

•Early Birding Walks: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

WEDNESDAY 4

•Art Alive: Naples Art District Studio & Gallery Tours. Receptions, exhibits, demos at dozens of galleries & studios. Pine Ridge Industrial Park, J & C Blvd, Shirley St & Trade Center Way, Naples. 3-7p. Free. 247-1977.

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Ikebana Meeting: Demo & Workshop. Naples Botanical Garden, Buehler Auditorium, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 9:30a. Free. 254-9999.

•Night Walk: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7:30p. Register. 348-9151.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Pinky’s Players PresentGreat Stories Well Played on a Bench: Variety show. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 7:30p. 941488-1115.

THURSDAY 5

•Art Alive: Naples Art District Studio & Gallery Tours. Receptions, exhibits, demos at dozens of galleries & studios. Pine Ridge Industrial Park, J & C Blvd, Shirley St & Trade Center Way, Naples. 1-5p. Free. 247-1977.

•Art Reception: Joel Shapses Gallery, 6240 Shirley St, #102, Naples. 1-5p. Free. 954830-3156.

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-6398810.

•Art Reception: Wine & cheese.Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Blvd, Cape Coral. 5-7p. Free. 7725657.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Florida Astronomical Society Monthly Meeting: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 275-3435.

•Naples Philharmonic: Boreyko Conducts Rachmaninoff. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

•Open Mic Bonita!: Comedy. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

•Pinky’s Players PresentGreat Stories Well Played on a Bench: Variety show. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 7:30p. 941488-1115.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel

EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS

MAY JUNE

What Goes On

The band, Except You, is throwing a CD release party May 8 at Nice Guys Pizza in Cape Coral. For information, call 549-7542.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers presents In the Heights thru May 14. Call 278-4422 for information.

What Goes On

Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 6

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

•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 337-5050.

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, in Butterfly Estates, 1815-3 Fowler St, Ft Myers. 6-9:30p. Free. 590-8645.

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

•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 11a-4p. Free. 337-5050.

•Kelly Neff Band: Live music. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 333-1933.

•Naples Philharmonic:  Boreyko Conducts Rachmaninoff. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

SATURDAY 7

•Americana Community Music Association: Sofia Talvik, Dan Philgreen concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9:30p. 691-4069.

•Beach Walk: Guided walk. Lovers Key State Park Discovery Center, 8700 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10:30a. Register. 463-4588.

•Chris Cagle: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 9859839.

•Mayfaire by-the-Lake: Free outdoor fine arts festival. Art show, art activities, famly activities, Children’s Art Tent, live entertainment, food trucks. Polk Musuem of Art, Lakeland Library front lawn, Lake Morton, Lakeland. 9a4p. Free. 863-688-7743.

•Verdi’s Rigoletto: Gulf Coast Symphony concert. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 277-1700.

SUNDAY 8

•CD Release Party: Except You. Thrash punk concert w Taking Meds and Roxx Revolt & the Velvets. Nice Guys

Pizza, 1401 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral. 7p. 549-7542.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Mayfaire by-the-Lake: Free outdoor fine arts festival. Art show, art activities, famly activities, Children’s Art Tent, live entertainment, food trucks. Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland Library front lawn, Lake Morton, Lakeland. 9a4p. Free. 863-688-7743.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 9

•Danny Sinoff Trio: The Rat Pack Years. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 10

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

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Lecture: John VolkParadise’s Architect. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

•Lecture: Shorebirds. Mound House, 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Reception 5:30, lecture 6p. Register. 765-0865.

•Songwriters on the Plaza: Free acoustic ACMA showcase concert. Downtown Ft Myers Library amphitheater, S Cornog Plaza, 1651 Lee St, Ft Myers. 6-7:30p. Free. 691-4069.

WEDNESDAY 11

•Alessandro Mazzamuto:  Grand Piano Series chamber music concert. Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave, Naples. 7:30p. 646-734-8179.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Lecture: Share the Shore with Coastal Wildlife. Calusa

Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 275-3435.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 12

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

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

•Exhibition Reception: Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. 6-8p. Free. 262-6525.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30. 768-4210.

•Journeyman: Eric Clapton tribute concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•LunaFest: Women’s film

festival. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 6 & 8:30p. 9392787.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 13

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

•Brave New Chamber Music

- Rock & Roll and the String Quartet: SWFL Symphony concert w Andrew Lipke. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 418-1500.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Just for Laughs:  Comedy variety show. Center for the Perfroming Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

SATURDAY 14

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta

Florida Repertory Theatre presents Maytag Virgin, thru May 22 in the Historic Arcade Theatre in Fort Myers’ Historic River District. For information, call 332-4488

Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-6398810.

•Backyard Bluesfest: Tommy Lee Cook & The Buckingham Blues Band, others tbz. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 2-8p. 693-7111.

•Brian Kelley: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 9859839.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals:  Minor league baseball. Joe Nichols and Parlemee post game concert. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Garden Talk - Bulbarama: Demos, presentations, sale. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-4p. 334-7419.

•Leanne Morgan - Big Panty Tour: Comedy. BB Mann Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 481-4849.

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

SUNDAY 15

•Art Song plus French Melodie: Gulfshore Opera. Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 1225 Piper Blvd, N Naples. 2p. 529-3925.

•Brave New Chamber Music - Rock & Roll and the String Quartet: SWFL Symphony concert w Andrew Lipke. Bell Tower Shops, 13499 S Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers. 5p. 418-1500.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Palm Beach Cardinals:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.

•Full Moon Night Hike: Guided walk Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 8p. 275-3435.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 16

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Genius of Johnny Mercer. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory,

16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 17

•Jay Mohr: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Limon Dance Company: With Naples Phil. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 8p. 597-1900.

WEDNESDAY 18

•Anna Netrebko & Yusif Eyvazov: Opera Naples concert. Arthrex One, 1 Arthrex Way, Naples. 6p. 963-9050.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival Opening Night Gala & Screening: Screening, live music, cocktails. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. Cocktails 5:30p, film 7p. 810-6323.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival: Outdoor screening. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Cocktails 5:30p, film 7p. 810-6323.

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Jay Mohr: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 6:30 & 8:30p. 3896901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Warren Wolf:  Jazz concert w Naples Philharmonic

Jazz Orchestra. ArtisNaples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 6 & 8:30p. 597-1900.

THURSDAY 19

•Ancient Forest Tour: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 9a. Register. 3489151.

•Andrew Dice Clay: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-6398810.

•Beading for Cancer:  Fundraising workshop. Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Blvd, Cape Coral. 5:30-7:3-p. 772-5657.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival: Screenings & panel discussions. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 5-11p. 810-6323.

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

•Lecture: The Train, the Trail, and the Origins of Florida Tourism. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•The Spongebob Musical:  Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 332-4488.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel

Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 20

•Andrew Dice Clay: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Clue: Star Academy youth theater. Gulfshore Playhouse. Norris Center, 755 5th Ave S, Naples. 7:30p. 866-811-4111.

•Exhibition Reception:  Museum of the Everglades,  105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 6-8p. Free. 695-0008.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival: Screenings & panel discussions. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 5-11p. 810-6323.

•Frank Foster: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 9859839.

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

•The Spongebob Musical: Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 332-4488.

SATURDAY 21

•Americana Community Music Association: Jamie Michaels, Bill Veach concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9:30p. 691-4069.

•Andrew Dice Clay: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500

Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Clue: Star Academy youth theater. Gulfshore Playhouse. Norris Center, 755 5th Ave S, Naples. 2 & 7:30p. 866811-4111.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival: Screenings & panel discussions. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 5-11p. 810-6323.

•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Guest speaker. Word of Life Church, 6111 South Points Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. 770906-7885.

•Lecture: Turtles of SWFL. Presented by Mound House. Newton Beach Park, 4650 Etsero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 11a. 765-0865.

•Sandcastle Contest for Kids: Lovers Key State Park Discovery Center, 8700 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10:30a. Register. 463-4588.

•Sleeping Beauty: Diane Parlington Studio of Classical ballet. Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7p. 941-328-1300.

•The Spongebob Musical: Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 2 & 7p. 332-4488.

SUNDAY 22

•Clue:  Star Academy youth theater. Gulfshore Playhouse. Norris Center, 755 5th Ave S, Naples. 3p. 866-811-4111.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival Afterparty: Twisted Vine, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. Starts 11p. 810-6323.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival Awards Ceremony:  Champagne & dessert, screening, Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p. 810-6323.

•Fort Myers Int’l Film Festival: Screenings & panel discussions. Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 5-11p. 810-6323.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Jose Ramirez Band & Marty Stokes Band: Blues bands. Cape Cabaret. 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 1:30-5:30. 549-3000.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers.

3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Spring Celebration with the Gulfshore Opera Divas: Gulfshore Opera concert & lunch. The Club of Pelican Bay, 707 Gulf Park Dr, Naples. 1p. 529-3925.

•Summer Spectacular: Naples Phil concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 7p. 597-1900.

•The Spongebob Musical: Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 2p. 332-4488.

MONDAY 23

•Art Reception: Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota. 7-10p. Free. 941894-6469.

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Tony Bennett Songbook. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 24

•After Hours in the Aquariums: Tours, refreshments. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, 3075 SanibelCaptiva Rd, Sanibel. 5:306:30p. 395-2233.

•Early Birding Walks: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

WEDNESDAY 25

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Laugh In Lineup: Comedy Show. Laugh In Comedy Cafe, 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7:30p. 479-5233.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•Sunset Stroll: Guided boardwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 7p. Register. 348-9151.

•The Spongebob Musical: Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 332-4488.

Venice Theatre hosts aactWorldFest, a week-long festival showcasing community theater groups from around the world. For information, call 941-488-1115.

What Goes On

THURSDAY 26

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-6398810.

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

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Moonshine Bandits: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•Patriotic Pops: Naples Phil concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 8p. 597-1900.

•The Spongebob Musical:  Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 7p. 332-4488.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 27

•Chris Kattan: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 3188560.

•Little Eddie & the Fat Fingers: Blues band. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 333-1933.

•Patriotic Pops: Naples Phil concert. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. 8p. 597-1900.

•Seashell Walk: Guided walk. Lovers Key State Park Discovery Center, 8700 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. 10:30a. Register. 463-4588.

•Stryper Concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•The Jacksonian: Play. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 4958989.

•The Spongebob Musical:  Florida Repertory Theatre’s

Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 2 & 7p. 332-4488.

SATURDAY 28

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

•Los Palaminos: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•The Jacksonian: Play. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2 & 7p. 495-8989.

•The Spongebob Musical:  Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 2p. 332-4488.

SUNDAY 29

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

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

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•The Jacksonian: Play. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2p. 4958989.

MONDAY 30

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Music of Cole Porter. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 31

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

JUNE

WEDNESDAY 1

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 2

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Florida Astronomical Society Monthly Meeting: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 275-3435.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers.

6:30p. 768-4210.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 3

•Art Reception: Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 1st St, Ft Myers.

6-9p. Free. 337-5050.

•Art Reception: DAAS Co-op Gallery, in Butterfly Estates, 1815-3 Fowler St, Ft Myers.

6-9:30p. Free. 590-8645.

•Art Reception: Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers.

6-10p. Live music. Free. 333-1933.

•Art Walk: Receptions, exhibits, demos, live music at several galleries & studios in downtown Ft Myers’ historic River District. 11a-4p. Free. 337-5050.

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

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•The Jacksonian: Play. Center

for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7p. 495-8989.

SATURDAY 4

• Schmidt Vocal Arts SemiFinal Competition: Concert. Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 10a. 941-328-1300.

•Americana Community Music Association: Heather Pierson Duo, Andy Getch concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 7-9:30p. 691-4069.

•Chase Matthew: Country music concert. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 7p-12a. 985-9839.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.

•Sarasota Opera Alumni Concert: Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 7:30p. 941-3281300.

•Schmidt Vocal Arts Final Competition: Concert & awards ceremony. Sarasota Opera House. 61 Pineapple Ave, Sarasota. 10:30a. 941328-1300.

•The Jacksonian: Play. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2 & 7p. 495-8989.

SUNDAY 5

•BBQ & Bluegrass: Bluegrass Trailblazers. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs vs Tampa Tarpons: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•The Jacksonian: Play. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 2p. 495-8989.

The exhibition, Toulouse-Lautrec: The Master of the Belle Epoque, is on view thru June 12 at Naples Art in downtown Naples. Call 262-6517 for information.

MONDAY

6

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Sinatra - The Reprise Years. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 7

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

WEDNESDAY 8

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Janet ’Tennessee Tramp’ Williams: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•Lecture: Hidden World of Florida’s Underwater caves. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 7p. Free. 275-3435.

•One Island: Play. Ghostbird Theatre. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 691-4128.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

•SWFL SpaceCon: Comic Book & Sci Fi conference: Speakers, panels, celebrity guests, entertainment. Araba Shrine Temple, 2010 Hanson St, Ft Myers. 10a-6p. 3342226.

THURSDAY 9

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

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

•Janet ’Tennessee Tramp’ Williams: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

•One Island: Play. Ghostbird Theatre. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 691-4128.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 10

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

•Briz & Lady: Live music. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center,

2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 333-1933.

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

•One Island: Play. Ghostbird Theatre. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 691-4128.

•Pirate Day! Arts, crafts, pirate songs, treasure hunts. Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island. Free. 10a2p. 642-1440.

SATURDAY 11

•Garden Talk - Bromelids: Demos, presentations, sale. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-4p. 334-7419.

•Tartan & Targe: Living history presentation by Estero Historical Society. Country Creek Country Club, 21135 Country Club Dr, Estero. 2p. Register. 272-1911.

•Music in the Garden: HavyRodriguez & the Miami Splash Band. Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. 2-4p. 643-7275.

•One Island: Play. Ghostbird Theatre. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 691-4128.

SUNDAY 12

•Full Moon Night Hike: Guided walk Calusa Nature

Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. 8p. 275-3435.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers.

10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•One Island: Play. Ghostbird Theatre. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 691-4128.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 13

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Music of Jimmy Van Heusen. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

TUESDAY 14

•Art Reception: Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island.

5:30-7p. Free. 394-4221.

•Early Birding Walks : Guided boarwalk tour. Corkscrew Swamp Blair Audubon Center, 375 Sanctuary Rd, Naples. 8a. Register. 348-9151.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Lecture: Victory Rails - US Railroads in WWII. Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. 2p. Free. 252-8476.

WEDNESDAY 15

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Lecture: Wallace W Abbey - A Life in Railroad Photography. Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. 2p. Free. 262-6525.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 16

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

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

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

•Lecture: Swamp LifeGladesmen, Past, Present & Future. Museum of the Everglades, 105 W Bwy, Everglades City. 2p. Free. 695-0008.

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 17

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Funny Shorts Live: Five 10-minute plays. Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 7:30p. 495-8989.

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

SATURDAY 18

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders:  Minor league baseball. Beerfest. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 7p. 768-4210.

•Gulf Coast Writers Association Meeting: Guest speaker. Word of Life Church, 6111 South Points Blvd, Ft Myers. 10a-12p. Free. 770906-7885.

SUNDAY 19

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Bradenton Marauders:  Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400

Photographs by Jim Bennight are on view thru June 30 in the Visitor & Education Center at the ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. For information, call 472-1100.

What Goes On

Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 12p. 768-4210.

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 20

•aactWorldFest:  Int’l Community Theatre Festival. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. Opening Ceremonies 6:30p, performances 8-10:30p, afterparty 10:30p-1a. 941488-1115.

TUESDAY 21

•aactWorldFest:  Int’l Community Theatre Festival. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. Performances 1-10:30p. 941-488-1115.

WEDNESDAY 22

•aactWorldFest:  Int’l Community Theatre Festival. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. performances 1-5p, afterparty 10:30p-1a. 941-488-1115.

•Family Fun Night: Live music, dance demos, crafts, games, mini zoo w exotic animals. Bell Tower Shops, Daniels Pkwy & US 41, Ft Myers. 6-8p. Free. 318-8560.

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

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

THURSDAY 23

•aactWorldFest: Int’l Community Theatre Festival. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. Performances 6:30-10p. 941-488-1115.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel

Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

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

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

FRIDAY 24

•aactWorldFest:  Int’l Community Theatre Festival. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. Performances

12:30-9:30p, afterparty

10:30p-1a. 941-488-1115.

•Steve Hytner: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 76 & 8p. 389-6901.

•The Big Bad Wolves: Live music. Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St, Ft Myers. 8-11p. 333-1933.

SATURDAY 25

•aactWorldFest:  Int’l Community Theatre Festival. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. Performances

1:30-4p, gala 6:30-8p, closing ceremony 8-9:30p, afterparty

9:30p-1a. 941-488-1115.

•Americana Community Music Association:  Passerine, Millie Van Horn concert. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers.

7-9:30p. 691-4069.

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

SUNDAY 26

•Jazz Brunch: Roy Gerson & Don Mopsic. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 10a-1:30p. Free. 333-2225.

•Marty Stokes Band: Blues band. Cape Cabaret, 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. 1:30-5:30p. 549-3000.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 3-6p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

MONDAY 27

•Danny Sinoff Trio: Bobby Darin Songbook. Players Circle Theatre, Shell Factory,

16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 7p. 800-3292.

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

TUESDAY 28

•After Hours in the Aquariums: Tours, refreshments. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, 3075 SanibelCaptiva Rd, Sanibel. 5:306:30p. 395-2233.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Dunedin Blue Jays: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Michelle ‘Shelly Belly’ Rider: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7p. 389-6901.

WEDNESDAY 29

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Dunedin Blue Jays: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210.

•Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio: Live music. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7p-10p. Free. 333-2225.

•Michelle ‘Shelly Belly’ Rider: Comedian. Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #1100, Naples. 7 & 9p. 389-6901.

•Open Blues Jam: Live music hosted by Tommy Lee Cook & the Buckingham Blues Band w Rex Bongo. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Rd, Ft Myers. 8-11p. Musicians welcome. Free. 693-7111.

THURSDAY 30

•Art Reception: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud St, Punta Gorda. 5-7p. Free. 941-6398810.

•Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet: Jazz. The Barrel Room, Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers. 7-10p. 333-2225.

•Fort Myers Mighty Mussels vs Dunedin Blue Jays: Minor league baseball. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy, Ft Myers. 6:30p. 768-4210

•Weehawken Wonderboys: Live music. Point Ybel Brewing, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. 6-9p. Free. 603-6535.

ONGOING Theater

•37 Postcards Show - Comedic Tales of Eccentricity: thru May 15. Marco Presbyterian Church, 875 W Elkcam Circle, Marco Island. 394-0080.

•A Chorus Line: Jun 18-27.

Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

•aactWorldFest: Jun 20-25.

Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Addams Family: May 6-15.

Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd, #5, Ft Myers. 323-6570.

•Another Revolution: thru May 15. Gulfshore Playhouse, Norris Center, 755 5th Ave S, Naples. 866-811-4111.

•Blackbird: thru May 1. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Clark Gable Slept Here: Jun 3-19. The Studio Players, Joan Jenks Auditorium, Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy, Naples. 389-9192.

•Eureka Day: May 13-Jun 4. Asolo Repertory Theatre, Cook Theatre, Florida State Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941-351-8000.

•Hamlet: May 13-29. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941-488-1115.

•Head Over Heels: thru May 1. New Phoenix Theatre, 13211 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. 284-5214.

•Hood: Jun 11-26. Asolo

Repertory Theatre, Mertz Theatre, Florida State Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941351-8000.

•In the Heights: thru May 14. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Kilroy Never Showed: thru Jun 5: Wed-Sun. Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Knoxville: thru May 11. Asolo Repertory Theatre, Mertz Theatre, Florida State Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. 941351-8000.

•Lady Killer Jun 8-Sep 11: Wed-Sun. Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 275-8487.

•Les Liasons Dangereuses:  thru May 7. Laboratory Theater of Florida,  1634  Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•Love & Money: thru May 8. Marco Players. Marco Players Theater, Marco Town Center Mall, 1089 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. 642-7270.

•Maytag Virgin: thru May 22. Florida Repertory Theatre, ArtStage Studio Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•Miracle on South Division Street: thru May 1. Players Circle Theatre. Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Fort Myers. 800-3292.

•New Playwrights Series: ‘From Birmingham to Broadway’ and ‘Float Like a Butterfly’. May 4-29.

The exhibition, Robert Mapplethorpe & Patti Smith: Flowers, Poetry and Light, is on view thru June 26 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota. For information, call 941-366-5731.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave, Sarasota. 941-366-1505.

•No Dogs Allowed: thru May 13. Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 980-5674.

•One Island: Jun 8-12. Ghostbird Theatre. Wasmer Gallery, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 691-4128.

•Rock of Ages: May 20-Jun 25. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 278-4422.

•Something Rotten: Jun 22Jul 24. The Naples Players. Blackburn Hall, Sugden Theater, 701 5th Ave S, Naples. 263-7990.

•Stories of Spoon River: thru May 1. FGCU TheatreLab.  FGCU Arts Complex, 10501 FGCU Blvd S, Ft Myers. 590-7268.

•The Birds - A Parody: Jun

3-Jul 2. Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave, Ft Myers. 218-0481.

•The Bridges of Madison County: thru May 1. TheatreZone, G & L Theatre, Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Rd, Naples. 888-966-3352.

•The Emperor’s New Clothes: May 27-Jun 24. Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers. 980-5674.

•The Jacksonian: May 27-Jun

5. Center for the Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. 495-8989.

•The Spongebob Musical: May 19-22 & May 25-28. Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program. Historic Arcade Theatre, 2267 1st St, Ft Myers. 332-4488.

•To Kill a Mockingbird: thru May 1. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice. 941488-1115.

•Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike: Jun 3-21. Lemon Bay Playhouse. 96 W Dearborn St, Englewood. 941-475-6756.

•Wedding Belles: May 13-22. Charlotte Players, Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. 941255-1022.

Art Galleries

•Aldo Castillo Gallery: Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Mon-Sat 10a-5p. Free. 312-375-8887.

•Aldo Castillo Gallery: 1634 5th Ave S, Naples. Tue-Sun 11a-7p. Free. 312-375-8887.

•Alliance for the Arts: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. May 6-28: Krista & Leo Johnson. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & Sat 9a-1p. Free. 939-2787.

•Another Time: 1414 Dean St, Ft Myers. Daily 11a-6p; Fri & Sat 11a-8p. Free. 672-4607.

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

•ArtBeat Studios: 1400 Colonial Blvd, #35, Fort Myers. Wed & Sun 11a-5p. Free. 225-9770.

•Artsemble Underground Gallery & Art Lounge: Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Bell Tower Dr, #151, Fort Myers. Fri & Sat 3-8p. Free. 2489063.

•Art Center Sarasota: 707 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. May 10-21: Sarasota County schools; Jun 2-Aug 26: Faces & Places. Mon-Sat 10a-4p. 941-365-2032.

•Arts for ACT Gallery: 2265 First St, Ft Myers. thru May

2: Carolyn Walega, May

6-29: ACT artists, Jun 3-26: Pamela Jones. Mon-Sun 11a-4:30p, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fri 11a-10p. Free. 337-5050.

•Baker Museum: Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd,

Naples. thru May 15: Baseball

Heroes; thru May 15: Love in All Forms; thru Jul 17: Florida Contemporary; thru Jul 24: Pam LangobardiOcean Gleaming; Mar 26-Jul

24: Another World - The Transcendental Painting Group; ongoing: MagritteReflections of Another world, Louise Nevelson - Dawn’s Forest. Tue-Sat 1-a-4p, Sun 12-4p. 597-1900.

•Behind the Buddha Artists’ Studios: 9290 College Pkwy, Ft Myers. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri

10a-4p, Wed 10a-9p, Sat 1-4p. Free. 691-3225.

•Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery: 4332 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha.

Sun & Mon 10a-5p, Tue-Sat

10a-7p. Free. 283-1335.

•BIG ARTS: thru Jun 5: Art by the DisAbled; Jun 10-Jul 23: FSW Fine Arts Students. 900 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Mon-Sat

9a-4p. Free. 395-0900.

•Bob Rauschenberg

Gallery: FSW State College, Humanities Hall, 8099 College Pkwy SW, Ft Myers. Thru Jul 23: Rauschenberg

- From the Collections of Friends. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 11a-3p. Free. 489-9313.

•Bokeelia Art Gallery: 8315 Main St, Bokeelia. Tue-Sat

10a-5p. Free. 738-5280.

•Cape Coral Art Center:  Rubicond Park, 4533

Coronado Pkwy, Cape Coral.

Thru May 26: May’s

Bouquets, Seedlings; Jun 3-Jul 28: On My Walk Today. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 5740802.

•Cape Coral Art League: 516

Cultural Park Blvd, Cape

Coral. Thru May 1: 2D and/or 3D; May 2-20: Pat St Onge; May 5-17: Pick Three. Open painting Wed 1-4p. Mon-Th 11a-4p. Free. 772-5657.

•Center for the Visual Arts Bonita Springs: 26100 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Thru May 27: Re/Aligned - Florida chapter of Nat’l Assoc of Women Artist; May 9-13: High School Student showcase; May 23-27: Middle & Elementary School exhibit. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 1-5p. Free. 495-8989.

•Center for the Performing Arts Bonita Springs: 10150 Bonita Beach Rd, Bonita Springs. Mon-Fri 10a-4p & Sat 1-5p. Free. 495-8989.

•Clip Joint Barber Shop & Art Gallery: 7431 College Pkwy, unit 120, rm 136, Ft Myers. Mon & Wed-Sat 10a-8p. Free. 281-8180.

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

•Clyde Butcher’s Venice Gallery & Studio: 237 Warfield Ave, Venice. Tue-Fri 10a-4:30p. Free. 486-0811.

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL Gallery. Coconut Point Mall, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. Tue-Sun 11a-5p. Free. 9493073.

•Coco Art Gallery: Art Council of SWFL Gallery. Coastland Center, 1900 Tamiami Tr S, Naples. Wed-Sun 12-6p. Free. 436-3530.

•Creason’s Fine Art Gallery: 331 5th Ave S, Naples. SunThu 11a-6p, Fri & Sat 10a-10p. Free. 949-3073.

•DAAS Co-op Art Gallery: Inside Butterfly Estates, 18153 Fowler St, Ft Myers. May 6-29: Lawrence Dineen. WedSun 10a-3p. Free. 590-8645.

•East West Fine Art: Mercato, 9115 Strada Pl, #5130, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 12-6p. Free. 821-9459.

•Emily James Art Gallery:  720 5th Ave S, # 111, Naples. Mon 3-7p, Tue & Wed 11a-7p, Sat 11a-8p, Sun 12-5p. Free. 777-3283

•Englewood Art Center:  Ringling College of Art & Design, 350 S. McCall Rd, Englewood. Tue 9a-9p & Wed-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 941474-5548.

•Estero Art League: Estero Community Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Rd, Estero. 489-5216.

•Florida Gulf Coast University Art Galleries:  10501 FGCU Blvd S., Ft Myers. Wasmer Gallery–thru May 6: Senior Projects; Jun 9-24: One Island. ArtLab–thru May 6: Senior Projects.

Wasmer Gallery in Arts Complex, ArtLab in Library.

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

•Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery: 3030 Shell Mound, Ft Myers Beach.

Thru Oct 14: Summer Show.

Wed & Thu 9a-12p. Free. 463-3909.

•Gardner Colby Gallery: 386 & 365 Broad Ave S, Naples.

Mon-Sat 10a-5p. Free. 4037787.

•Grand Illusion Gallery: 2443 First St, Ft Myers. Tue-Sat 10:30a-5:30p, 1st & 3rd Fri 6-10p. Free. 461-7245.

•Guess-Fisher Gallery:  Crayton Cove, 810 12th Ave S, Naples. Mon-Thu 11a-5p, Fri & Sat 11a-9p. Free. 403-8393.

•Harbour View Gallery: 5789

Cape Harbour Dr, #104, Cape Coral. May: Susan Zablocki, Martha Stevenson; Jun: Janice Pedersen, Nancy & Chuck Koucky. Daily 11a-8p. Free. 540-5789.

•Harmon-Meek Modern: 382 12th Ave S, Naples. May 3-28: Group show. Tue-Sat 12-4p. Free. 261-2637.

•Hirdie-Girdie Art Gallery:  2490 Library Way, Sanibel. thru May 14: Barbara Albin.

Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 11a-4p. Free. 395-0027.

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

•Island Conclave: 5101 Pine Island Rd, Bokeelia. Tue-Sat 11a-5p. Free. 282-8488.

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

•Lovegrove Gallery & Garden: 4637 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha. Daily 10a-5p. Free. 283-6453.

•Marc Harris Wildlife Photography Gallery: In Everglades Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Daily 9a-5p. 283-3354.

•Marco Island Center for the Arts: 1010 Winterberry Dr, Marco Island. Thru May 3: Adult Student Show, Marco Island Academy; May 9-Jul 5: Celebrate Earth Day. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. Free. 394-4221.

•Method & Concept: 26 10th St. S, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p. 529-2633.

•Naples Art: 585 Park St, Naples. Thru Jun 12: Toulouse-Lautrec - Master of the Belle Epoque. Mon-Fri 9a-5p. Free. 262-6517.

•Naples Art District Studios & Galleries: Pine Ridge Industrial Park, J & C Blvd, Shirley St & Trade Center Way, Naples. Free. 247-1977.

•Quidley & Company Fine Art Gallery: 375 Broad Ave S, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-7p & Sun 11a-5p. 261-4300.

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

•Ringling College of Art + Design Galleries: Basch Gallery (Academic Center, 2363 Old Bradenton Rd; Cooley Photo Center (Student Center, 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota); Crossley Gallery (2698 Bradenton Rd, Sarasota); Madeby Gallery (Student Center, 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota; Selby Foundations Gallery (Atrium, 2700 N Tamiami Tr, Sarasota); Smith Gallery (Academic Center, 2363 Old Bradenton Rd; Stulberg

The Marco Island Historical Museum hosts the exhibition, Birds of Paradise: The Birds of South Florida and the Everglades, paintings by Inez Hudson, June 28-October 1. Call 642-1440 for information.

What Goes On

Gallery (Basch Visual Arts Center, 1188 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Sarasota); Thompson Gallery (Keating Center, 2700 N. Tamiami Tr, Sarasota. Mon-Fri 10a-4p. Free. 941-359-7563.

•Sanibel Captiva Art League: Exhibits at Sanibel Community House: Meetings 3rd Thu at Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 1-3p. Free. 322-8593.

•Sanibel Community House: Sanibel Captiva Art League exhibits– May: Glori Krekel & David Bollinger; Jun: Steve Saari & Jim Storer. 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 9a3p. Free. 472-2155.

•Sarasota Art Museum: Ringling College, 1001 S Tamiami T, Sarasota. Thru May 8: Danner Washburn; thru Nov: Xaviera Simmons.

Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 11a-5p. 941-309-4300.

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

•Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center: 2301 First St, Ft Myers. Grand Atrium– May

6-6: Fort Myers Artist Grant Recipients; Jun

3-24: The Road to Florida. Capital Gallery– May 6-26: Embracing Stillness; Jun

3-24: Elementary. Mon-Fri 9a-5p & 6-9p. Free. 337-1933.

•Sweet Art Gallery: 2100-A Trade Center Way, Naples. Mon-Fri 10a-5p & Sat by appt. Free. 597-2110.

•The Ringling Museum of Art: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota. Thru May 2: Art from Museum staff; May 14-Oct 23: Works on paper from Ringling Collection of Modern & Contemporary Art; Jun 21-Jul 3: Ya Levy La’ford

- American/Roots; thru Aug

13: As long as there is sun, as long as there is light; thru Aug 21: Eleanor Merritt; thru Aug 28: MetadataRethinking Photography from the 21st Century.; thru Sep

25: Ballroom Florida - Deco & Desire in Japan’s Jazz Age; thru Sep 25: Marvelous Marbling of Matsui Kosei. Circus Museum– Bayfront Gardens. Gardens of Ringling

Guided Tour: Thu 10:30a. Daily 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p. 941-359-5700.

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

•Tower Gallery: 751 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel. Daily 10a5p. Free. 340-6467.

•Union Artists Studios: Alliance of the Arts, 10051 McGregor Blvd, #202, Edwards Bldg, Ft Myers. Free. 980-1394.

•Venice Art Center: 390

Nokomis Ave S, Venice. May

3-12: South Sarasota County School Show; May 20-Jun 16: Hot & Cold; Jun 24-Jul 21: Dark & Light. Mon-Fri 9a-4p. Free. 941-485-7136.

•Visual Arts Center: 210

Maud St, Punta Gorda. May 6- 14: Charlotte County Elementary Schools; May

7-Jun 14: Florida’s Best;

May 9-14: Artistry of Dance; May 18-Jun 13: Water Water

Everywhere; Jun 18-Sep 25: Members Showcase. Mon-Fri 9a-4p & Sat 10a-2p. Free. 941-639-8810.

•Watson MacRae Gallery: 2340 Periwinkle Way, #G1, Sanibel. Mon-Fri 11a-5p. Free. 472-3386.

Attractions

•Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Tribe of Florida Museum: Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 30290 Josie Billie Hwy, Clewiston. Thru Dec: Alligator Wrestling

- Danger, Entertainment, Tradition. Daily 9a-5p. 877902-1113.

•Artis-Naples: Hayes Hall, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd, Naples. May 2-Jul 28: Student show. 597-1900.

•Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum: 3075

The Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda hosts a Members Showcase, June 18-September 25. Call 941-639-8810 for information.

Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Thru May 30: Nocturnal Photography of Open-Ocean Mollusks; Thru Jun 12: Intro to SWFL Water Quality. Daily 10a-5p. 395-2233.

•Burroughs Home & Gardens: 2505 First St, Ft Myers. Tours Mon-Wed 11a. 337-0706.

•Butterfly Estates: 1815 Fowler St, Ft Myers. Tue-Sun 10a-3p. 690-2359.

•Calusa Heritage Trail: 13810 Waterfront Dr, Pineland. Mon-Sat 10a-4p. 283-2062.

•Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium: 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft Myers. Museum, butterfly aviary, walking trails, lectures & live reptile shows daily. Guided walks Sat & Tue 10a. Planetarium kids laser shows Sun 3:30p. 10a-4p & Sun 11a-4p. 275-3435.

•Cape Coral Historical Museum: 544 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral. Wed-Fri 11a4p & Sat 10a-2p (closed Jul). 772-7037.

•Children’s Museum of Naples: North Collier Park, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples. Thru May 15: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Secrets of the Sewer. Daily 10a-5p (not Wed). 514-0084.

•Collier County Museum at Government Center: 3331 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Thru May 7: Pickleball Passion; May 17-Aug 27: Viewed from Above - Aerial Photos of Collier County, 1920s to Today. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-8476.

•Conservancy of SWFL: 1495 Smith Preserve Way, off Goodlette Frank Rd. Tue-Sat 9:30a-4p. Free. 262-0304.

•Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: 375 Sanctuary Rd. Guided walks, swamp walks, night events. Daily 8a-1p. 348-9151.

•CREW: Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed. Marsh Hiking Trails, 4600 Corkscrew Rd, Immokalee. Trails open daily sunrisesunset. Free. 657-2253.

•CROW: Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Visitor Education Center, wildlife presentations daily 11a; speakers. Mon-Sat 10a-4p. Free. 472-3644.

•’Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel. Wildlife viewing, education Center. Exhibjts–May 1-Jun 30: Jim Bennight photo. Visitor Center- MonSat 9a-4p; Wildlife driveSat-Thu sunrise-sunset. 472-1100.

•Edison & Ford Winter Estates: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Exhibits–

thru May 29: Art in the Gardens; thru May 29: Sustainable Conceptions. Historical presentations Tue & Thu 11a; Automotive Tour Mon 10:30a; Home Tours Tue & Thu 11a. Daily 9a-5:30p. 334-7419.

•Estero Historic Cottage Museum: One-room schoolhouse & historic cottage. Estero Park, 9285

Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. Sat 1-4p. Free. 272-

1911.

•Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center: 975

Imperial Golf Course Blvd, # 108, Naples. Ongoing exhibit: Caught on Film - Wartime Photography of Ken Regele. Guided tours. Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 1-4p. 263-9200.

•IMAG History & Science Center: Exhibits, activities, live sea life touch-tank & feedings, films. 2000 Cranford St, Ft Myers.

Tue-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 12-5p. 321-7420.

•Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch: 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee.

Thru Aug 27: Bittersweet

Harvest- the Bracero Program

1942-1964. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 252-2611.

•Marco Island Historical Museum: 180 S Heathwood

Dr, Marco Island. Thru Jun

25: Camera Girl - Saloma

Old’s Marco Island; Jun

28-Oct 1: Birds of Paradise - Birds of South Florida and the Everglades by Inez Hudson. Tue-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 642-1440.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Thru Jun 26: Robert Mapplethorpe & Patti Smith - Flowers, Poetry & Light. 10a-5p daily. 941-3665731.

•Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Historic Spanish Point, 337 N Tamiami Tr, Osprey. Butterfly House. Daily 10a-5p daily. 941-3665731

•Mound House: 451 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Beach. Guided tours Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-3p; programs Tue, Wed, Sat 10a; Shell Mound tours Tue-Sat 11a & 1p; Garden tours Tue & Fri 1p; Untold Stories tours Thu 2p; Free Guided Beach Walks Tue & Thu 9a at Newton Park, 4650 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Tue, Wed & Sat 9a-4p. 765-0865.

•MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota. Daily 10a-5p. 941-388-4441.

•Museum of the Everglades:  105 W Bwy, Everglades City. May 3-Oct 1: Legendary

Gladesmen. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 695-0008.

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

•Naples Botanical Garden:  4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples. Thru Nov 2023: Stickwork interactive sculpture installation; thru Jun 26: Fiber Arts Now. Music in the Garden: 2nd Wed 2-4p. Tours daily 10a-3p on hour. Daily 9a-2p (Wed 9a-8p). 643-7275.

•Naples Depot Museum: 1051 Fifth Ave S, Naples. May 12-Aug 20: Wallace Abbey - A Life in Railroad Photography. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. Free. 2626525.

•Naples Museum of Military History: Naples Airport, 500 Terminal Dr, Naples. Mon-Sat 10a-4p & Sun 12-4p. Free. 450-0073.

•Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens: 1590 GoodletteFrank Rd, Naples. Wildlife & botanical exhibits. Daily 9a-4:30p. 262-5409.

•Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary: 41660 Horseshoe Rd, Punta Gorda. Mon-Fri 9a-12p, Sat & Sun 11a-4p. 543-1130.

•Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center: 718 Fisherman’s Wharf, Ft Myers Beach. Mon-Sat 10a-4p. 765-8101.

•Palm Cottage Museum & Norris Gardens: Naples Historical Society, 137 12th Ave. S, Naples. Ongoing: Naples on the Map. Walking tours of Naples historic district: Wed 9:30a; Guided garden tours: 1st & 3rd Thu of month 10a. Tours: Tue-Fri 12-4p & Sat 1-4p. Free. 261-8164.

•Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens: 5827 Riverside Dr, Punta Gorda. Tue-Sun 9a-4p. 941-6218299.

•Randell Research Center: 7450 Pineland Rd, Pineland. South Florida archeology & ethnography exhibits. Mon-Sat 10a-5p & Sun 1-5p. 283-2062.

•Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: 300 Tower Rd, Naples. Exhibits, daily programs, guided boat & kayak tours. Mon-Sat 9a-4p. 530-5940.

•Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Nature Center: 3333 SanibelCaptiva Rd, Sanibel. Exhibits, programs, guided tours. MonFri 8:30a-3p. 472-2329.

•Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Landscapes & Garden Center: 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Exhibits, demonstration

gardens, workshops. Mon-Fri 8:30a-5p & Sat 10a-3p JanApr 472-1932.

•Sanibel Historical Museum & Village: 950 Dunlop Rd, Sanibel. Tue-Sat 10a-1p. 472-4648.

•Shangri-La Springs: 27750 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs. Garden tours Tue & Wed 10a. 949-0749.

•Shell Factory & Nature Park: 16554 N Cleveland Ave, N Ft Myers. Shell exhibits, Animal exhibits, petting farm, Christmas house, natural history exhibits, water games, video arcade, miniature golf, playgrounds, zip line. Daily 10a-5p. 995-2141.

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

•Wonder Gardens: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs.  Botanical gardens, animals, alligator feedings, Marc Harris Wildlife photography gallery. Daily 9a-5p. 9922591.

Parks

•Bailey Homestead Preserve: Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Walking tours Mon 2p & Thu 10a. Free. 472-1932.

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

•Bowditch Point Regional

Park: 50 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 463-3764.

•Bunche Beach: 18201 John Morris Rd, Ft Myers. Free. 707-6794.

•Caloosahatchee Regional Park: 18500 North River Rd, Alva. Free. 693-2690.

•Collier-Seminole State Park: US 41, S Naples. Free. 394-3397.

•Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: 11135 Gulfshore Dr, Naples. Beach. Free. 5976196.

•Estero Park: 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, Estero. 2481609.

•Everglades National Park:  Gulf Coast Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Ln. Everglades City. Free. 695-3311.

•Four Freedoms Park: 4818 Tarpon Ct, Cape Coral. Free. 574-0804.

•Hickeys Creek Mitigation Park: 17980 Palm Beach Blvd, Alva. Free. 693-2690.

•Koreshan State Historic Site State Park: US Hwy 41 & Corkscrew Rd, Estero. Free. 992-0311.

•Lakes Regional Park: 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Ft Myers. 533-7575.

•Lovers Key State Park: 8700 Estero Blvd. Ft Myers Beach. Yoga Mon 9:30a, Wed 9a, Fri 9a. 463-4588.

•Lynn Hall Park: 950 Estero Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 229-7356.

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

•Matanzas Pass Preserve: 119

Bay Rd, Ft Myers Beach. Free. 707-3015.

•Myakka River State Park: 13207 SR 72, Sarasota. Canoeing, camping, wildlife tours by air-boat & tram, scenic drive, guided walks. Free. 941-361-6511.

•Naples Preserve: Eco-center. 1690 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Free. 261-4290.

•North Collier Regional Park: 15000 Livingston Rd, Naples. Free. 652-4512.

•Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: 7791 Penzance Blvd, Ft Myers. Free. 5337550.

•Veterans Park: 55 Homestead Rd, Lehigh Acres. Free. 369-1521.

•Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park: 16730 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Free. 432-2154.

Live Music & Comedy

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

•Ben Allen’s Backyard Grill & Pub: 12655 Tamiami Tr E, Naples. Live music select nites. 304-9552.

•Bert’s Bar & Grill: 4271 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha. Live music select nites, daily 2-7p: Calypso Magic. 282-3232.

•Big Storm Brewery: 4721 SE 10th Pl, Cape Coral. Live music Thu-Sat nites. Free. 257-1401.

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

•Buddha Bar & Grill: 12701 McGregor Blvd, Ft Myers. Live music Wed-Sun. 4828565.

•Cape Cabaret: 4725 Vincennes Blvd, Cape Coral. Live music Wed-Sat 7-10p & Marty Stokes Band select Sun 1:30-5:30p. 549-3000.

•Coastal Dayz Brewery: 2161 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, Live music bingo select Sat 2-5p. 204-9665.

•Downtown Social House: 1406 Hendry St, Ft Myers. Live music nitely. 337-7646.

•Fort Myers Brewing Company: 12811 Commerce Lake Dr, #27, Ft Myers. Live music Wed, Fri & Sat nites, Sun 2-4p. 313-6576.

•Laugh-In Comedy Café: 8595 College Pkwy, Ft Myers.

Comedians Thu-Sat nites. 479-5233.

•Matanzas on the Bay: Petey’s Upper Deck, 414 Crescent St,

Ft Myers Beach. Live music

Mon-Sat 5-9p & Sun 12-5p. 463-3838.

•Millennial Brewing: 1811

Royal Palm Ave, Ft Myers.

Live music Fri nites 6-9p.

271-2255.

•Nauti Parrot Dock Bar: 19001 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Live music

Mon-Sat 12-9p, Thu-Sat

6:30-9:30p, Sun 4:30-7:30p.

314-5667.

•Nauti Parrot Oasis: 17200

Tamiami Tr S, Ft Myers. Live music Mon-Wed 5-9p, Thu

1-9:30p, Fri 1-5p & 7-10p, Sat 12:30-4;30p & 7-10p. 208-2340.

•Nauti Parrot Tiki Hut: 3448

Marinatown Ln, N Ft Myers.

Live music Mon-Sat 12-9p & Thu-Sat 6-9p. 208-2340.

•Off the Hook Comedy Club: 2500 Vanderbilt Beach, Naples. Comedians Thu-Sun & select Tue & Wed nites.

540-7867.

•Ollie’s Pub: 1019 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral. Live music select nites. 540-7867.

•Palace Pub & Wine: 1317

Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral. Live music & burlesque select nites. 217-0919.

•Point Ybel Brewing Company: 16120 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. Thu: Weehawken Wonderboys

6-9p; Sat: Jeff Lyons 1-5p; Sun: Bluegrass 4-7p. Free. 603-6535.

•Rack ‘em Spirits & Times: 1011 SE 47th Ter, Cape Coral. Live music Fri & Sat nites. Free. 540-7225.

•Riptide Brewing: 987 3rd Ave N, Naples. Live music select Fri & Sat nites 7-10p. 228-6533.

•Riptide Brewing: 28120 Hunters Ridge Blvd, Bonita Springs. Live music select Fri & Sat nites 7-10p. 949-9945.

•Roadhouse Café: 15660 San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers. Live jazz 6:30-9:30. Wed: Danny Sinoff Trio; Thu: Jazz-Matics; Fri: Tony Boffa & Friends; Sat: Danny Sinoff Quartet; Sun: Ricky Howard. 415-4375.

•Smokin’ Oyster Brewery: 340 Old San Carlos Blvd, Ft Myers Beach. Live music nitely 6-9p. Free. 463-3474.

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

•South Street City Oven & Grill: 1410 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples. Live music select nites. 435-9333.

•Space 39 Art Bar & Martini Lounge: 39 Patio de Leon, Ft Myers. Live music Wed-Sat nites. 204-9949.

•The Barrel Room: Twisted Vine, 2214 Bay St, Ft Myers.

MAY-JUNE

HAMMOND STADIUM

Lee County Sports Complex

14400 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. Fort Myers 768-4210

Live jazz & blues. Wed 7-10p: Gerald Augustin Jazz Trio; Thu 7-10p: Dan Miller & Lew Del Gatto Quartet; Fri & Sat 9p-12a: blues bands; Sun 10a-2p: Jazz Brunch w Roy Gerson & Don Mopsick. 333-2225.

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

•The Rhythm House: 16440 S Tamiami Tr, Ft Myers. Live music Tue & Sat 6:30-9:30p. 466-8326.

•Whiskey Park: 3300

Mercantile Ave, Naples. Open Mic Wed nites; live music Fri & Sat nites. 263-6777.

The Naples Botanical Garden presents Stickworks, an interactive organic installation, thru November 2023. For information, call 643-7275.