Calendar
Where To Go & What to Do
Sanibel Shell Crafters
(Mondays 10am3pm) Year-round Mondays to watch crafting, or class that begins promptly. Free lessons, you pay for supplies. Limited space. Adults are encouraged, children must be accompanied if crafting. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-472-2155, sanibelcommunityhouse.net
The Painted Conch
(Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays, 6:30pm; Fridays,7pm; Sundays, 12pm) In one evening complete original artwork while enjoying friends, music and favorite beverages. Materials provided, available on-site artist. 1242 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 239673-6660, thepaintedconch.com
Paint Escape
(Open painting: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am-6pm; ladies’ night: Fridays, 6-9pm) Ceramic painting for children and adults, decorative items for the home or as a gift. Ladies’ night Fridays with music, wine and cheese. 808 SE 47th St., Cape Coral. 239-9452006, paintescapeonline.net
Open Mic Night at The French Press
(Wednesdays, 6:30pm) Open Mic Night Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm. The French Press, 5789 Cape Harbour Drive, No. 101, Cape Coral. 239-542-0212, thefrenchpressfl.com
Improv Cafe
(July 8, 4pm) First Saturdays youth groups perform shortform and long-form improv that includes audience suggestions. Moe Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-4958989, artcenterbonita.org
SoCo Second Saturday
(July 8 and Aug. 12, 5pm) SoCo (South of Colonial Boulevard) is a family event with art gallery receptions, vendors, live music, artist demonstrations and talks, musical and theater performances, art exhibition receptions and wine tastings. Selfguided walking tour, parking at Alliance for the Arts campus and Royal Palm Square. After-party at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater at 10pm. 1400 Colonial Blvd., Suite 84, Fort Myers. 239-590-8645, socoswfl.com
A Night of Nutty Science at Cape Coral Yacht Club!
(July 12, 6pm) Join
the Nutty Scientists to participate in six hands-on activities related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Activities include two projects that children take home. Available snacks and drinks, parents or guardians must stay with children. Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral. 239-5740806, capecoral.net
Muscle Car City’s Monthly Car and Bike Show
(July 15 and Aug. 19, 9am-1pm) Third Saturdays, Tom’s Traveling Tunes, trivia and door prizes. Trophies, free to registrants and spectators. Breakfast and lunch 8am-4pm. Muscle Car City, 3811 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. 941-575-5959, musclecarcity.net
Happy Birthday, Henry Ford!
(July 30, 9am) Henry Ford and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates celebrate Ford’s 154th birthday with programs, presentations and cake. Check for further event details. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-334-741, edisonfordwinterestates.org
Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: Grind, A Tribute to Alice in Chains
(July 8, 9pm) The tribute has headlined at Club La Vela Panama City Beach and at multiple House of Blues locations. Experience this
band at SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com
Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: Ted Nugent Rockin’ America Again!
(July 11-12, 8pm) The guitarshredding showman has also been inducted into the National Bowhunters Hall of Fame, and readers of Outdoors
Magazine named him their favorite “Hunting Personality.” SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com
Steve Miller Band With Peter Frampton
(July 15, 7:30 pm.) Steve Miller Band with special guest Peter Frampton. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 239-948-7825, germainarena.com
Fort Myers Music Walk
(July 21 and Aug. 18, 7pm) Third Fridays, a dozen participating venues feature music by local and regional talent. 855-732-3836, fortmyersmusicwalk.com
Mary Poppins
(July 1-Aug. 12, Wednesdays-Sundays, evening and matinee shows available) Everyone’s favorite nanny! Irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com
Right Bed, Wrong Husband
(July 1-29, Wednesdays-Sundays, evening and matinee shows available) To increase his allowance, young bachelor Ted writes his tight-fisted uncle to tell him he has married. When the uncle unexpectedly visits and mistakes Ted’s best friend’s wife as Ted’s wife, things get a bit complicated. Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers., 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com
Three Strikes, You’re Dead!
(July 1, 6:30pm) All aboard for this classic Murder Mystery Dinner Train 1920s-themed show, part one of the Dixie Flyer
Chronicles. Write down the clues you discover. Clue sheets will be collected before the final act, when everyone will discover who has committed this heinous crime. A prize to the one super sleuth in each dining car. Price includes a fivecourse dinner, murder-mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-275-8487, semgulf.com
It’s My Funeral
(July 2-Sept. 3, Sundays, 5:30pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6:30pm) Noir-style gumshoe has to solve his own murder. Write down the clues you discover. Clue sheets will be collected before the final act, when everyone will discover who has committed this heinous crime. A prize to the one super sleuth in each dining car. Price includes a fivecourse dinner, murder-mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-275-8487, semgulf.com
Murder on the Scottish Line
(July 7-Nov. 18, Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30pm) Consulting detective Sherwood Elmes is back to solve a murder and he’s the prime suspect! Write down the clues you discover. Clue sheets will be collected before the final act, when everyone will discover who has committed this heinous crime. A prize to the one super sleuth in each dining car. Price includes a fivecourse dinner, murder-mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-275-8487, semgulf.com
Improv Tonight!
(July 8, 8pm) First Saturdays local groups perform shortform and long-form improv that includes audience suggestions. Wine, beer, sodas and light snacks. Moe Auditorium Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org
PAW Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue
(July 18 and 19, 6 pm; July 19, 2pm) It’s the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Goodway’s nowhere to be found. PAW Patrol to the rescue! Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers. 239481-4849, bbmannpah.com
My Sky
(July 7-July 29) The Alliance for the Arts invited art teachers to work with students to create artworks following the theme “My Sky,” inspired by the wonders of the universe. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239939-2787, artinlee.org
Center for Performing Arts Exhibition: It Comes Naturally
(July 7-July 27) All things naturally occurring are fair game for this exhibit, from sand to glacial ice, monolithic rock to leaves. Monday-Friday, July 7 opening reception from 6-8pm. Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, Center for Visual Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org
Art After Hours at Artis-Naples
(July 19 and Aug. 30, 6 pm.) Free admission to The Baker Museum last Wednesdays, 6-9pm. Music, all ages welcome, docents. The Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org
Elevation: The Next Level (Members’ exhibit)
(Aug. 4-31) Current members invited to submit one work themed “Elevation: The Next Level,” displayed in August group exhibition. Become a member! Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-9392787, artinlee.org
Center for Performing Arts Exhibition: Surrealist Summer
(Aug. 4-25) What’s real? What’s imaginary? Surrealism at its core is surprise by contrasting elements. Opening reception Aug. 4, 6-8pm. Gallery open Monday-Friday. Centers for the Arts
Bonita Springs, Center for Visual Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 239495-8989, artcenterbonita.org
Early Bird Eco-Tour
(Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:30am) Witness Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve and the coastal and wetland birds and sea creatures that make the estuary their home. ACAcertified kayak/SUP instructors and Florida master naturalists versed on Florida’s ecology and natural history and skilled at spotting local wildlife. 4120 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 239-2831125, gulfcoastkayak.com
Adventures in Paradise Shelling & Lunch Cruise
(Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8:30am) A powered catamaran cruise to Sanibel and Captiva—dolphins and shells! Take a picnic lunch or dine at Barnacle’s restaurant. Bring a swimsuit, beach shoes and shelling bag. Complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, soft drinks and water. Reservations. Adventures in Paradise, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers. 239-472-8443, adventureinparadiseinc.com
Punta Gorda Downtown Farmer’s Market
(Saturdays, 8am) Voted best small market in Florida and 15th in the nation; fruits and vegetables to fresh homemade pasta and organic produce. Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, across from Historic Charlotte County Courthouse. 941-391-4856, puntagordachamber.com
River District History Tour
(Thursdays, 6:30pm; Saturdays, 10:30am) A 90-minute historical walking tour of downtown Fort Myers, local history and information about city founders. Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers. 239-945-0405, truetours.net
Caloosahatchee River Cruise
(Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30am and 2pm) Captains Lance and Harry Julian draw on five generations of maritime business and 40 years of maritime tourism. A 90-minute tour, dolphins, mangrove forests, bald eagles, bird rookeries and manatees. Also learn about the Caloosahatchee River, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford—all from the deck of the M/V Edison Explorer. 2360 W. 1st St., Fort Myers. 239-919-2965, purefortmyers.com
Fort Myers Sunset Cruise
(Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, July 1-Aug. 2, 7:15pm; Aug. 4-19, 6:45pm) Relaxing river cruising, a different hue with the glow of the sunset, wildlife coming home to roost and nature beginning its ritual of settling down for the night. All from the deck of the M/V Edison Explorer. 2360 W. 1st Street, Fort Myers. 239-919-2965, purefortmyers.com
Adventures in Paradise Sunset Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise
(Daily, 7:15pm) Wild dolphins in a magical setting and one of Florida’s largest populations of wading birds, manatees and seasonal birds such as the white pelican and bald eagle. Narrated by a knowledgeable captain and first mate. Complimentary soft drinks, bottled water and snacks. Reservations. Adventures in Paradise, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers. 239-472-8443, adventureinparadiseinc.com
Haunted History Tour
(Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8pm) A 90-minute downtown Fort Myers walk reveals a darker side, stories of residential and commercial buildings reputed to have paranormal activity. Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers. 239-945-0405, truetours.net
History Park Farmers and Artisans Market
(Sundays, 9am) Operated by Punta Gorda Historical Society; produce, meat, fish and additional food items, plus many other vendors. Most market days feature live music by Dave Heveron. Tour the garden after 1pm. History Park, 501 Shreve St., Punta Gorda. 941-380-6814, farmersmarketonline.com
Mangrove Maze Eco-Tour
(Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am) Explore mangrove wilderness, part of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail. Master naturalists teach the history, ecology and sustainability of Pine Island Sound, Calusa heritage. About 2.5 hours. 4120 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 239-2831125, gulfcoastkayak.com
Sunset Kayak Eco-Tour
(Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:30pm) Paddle Matlacha Pass through shrouded mangrove trails, discover creatures roaming the preserve at dusk. ACAcertified kayak/SUP instructors and Florida master naturalists versed on ecology and natural history and skilled at spotting local wildlife. Approximately 2.5 hours. 4120 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 239-283-1125, gulfcoastkayak.com
Fort Myers Art Walk
(July 7 and Aug. 4, 6pm; July 8 and Aug. 5, 11am) First Fridays, 10 art galleries, self-guided walking tour of the River District core and Gardner’s Park. 239-337-5050, fortmyersartwalk.com
Punta Gorda Downtown Farmer’s Market
(Saturdays, 8am) Voted best small market in Florida and 15th in the nation; offering fruits and vegetables to fresh homemade pasta and organic produce. Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, across from Historic Charlotte County Courthouse. 941-3914856, puntagordachamber.com
Bike Night
(July 8, 6pm) Second Saturdays, hundreds of motorcycles along Fort Myers’ downtown streets; live bands, 6-10pm. Free; many venues featuring specials. 855-732-3836, fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com
Mystery Walk
(July 14 and Aug. 11, 6pm) Second Fridays, a new theme for each event. Check in at Iberia Bank,