Where to Go & What to Do
HOLIDAY EVENTS
26th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade ( December 6, 6pm- 8pm) Enjoy the holiday spirit at the Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Last year nearly 30 boats participated and this year promises to be even more exciting. Pearl Harbor will be remembered at the event, which will also honor World War II veteran Russ Winset, who will ride on the lead boat. Best viewing spots, where the parade will pass, include: Big Game Waterfront Grill, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Matanzas on the Bay, Nervous Nellie’s, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe. 239- 454- 7500, chamber. fortmyersbeach. org Holiday Pops- Christmas in Paradise at Barbara B. Mann ( December 13, 8pm) Conductor Leif Bjaland brings a paradise theme to the annual holiday concert at Barbara B. Mann Hall. Music includes “Feliz Navidad” and “Mele Kalikimaka,” the Hawaiian Christmas song. 239- 418- 1500, swflso. org
The Tenors Christmas Show ( December 14, 7: 30pm) Thrilling audiences around the world with their powerful voices and memorable melodies, The Tenors blend classical music and contemporary pop, while showcasing undeniable charm and diverse vocal styles. The music of Clifton Murray, Victor Micallef, Remigio Pereira and Fraser Walters is rich and soulful, with powerful anthems, classic covers as well as songs written and co- written by The Tenors. 239- 481- 4849, bbmannpah. com
Holiday Pops- Christmas in Paradise at Shell Point ( December 15, 7: 30pm) Conductor Leif Bjaland brings a paradise theme to the annual holiday concert at Shell Point Village in south Fort Myers. Music includes “Feliz Navidad” and “Mele Kalikimaka,” the Hawaiian Christmas song. 239- 418- 1500, swflso. org
Holiday Pops- Christmas in Paradise at BIG ARTS ( December 17, 8pm) Conductor Leif Bjaland brings a paradise theme to the annual holiday concert at BIG ARTS Schein Hall on Sanibel Island. Music includes “Feliz Navidad” and “Mele Kalikimaka,” the Hawaiian Christmas song. 239- 418- 1500, swflso. org
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker ( December 29, 3pm and 7pm) Celebrate the beloved Christmas tradition with the whole family as 40 world- class Russian artists bring this charming classic to life. Experience Tchaikovsky’s master score this Christmas with the magic of larger- than- life puppets, a growing Christmas tree and life- size matryoshka dolls. Give your family an unforgettable Christmas gift this year. 239- 481- 4849, bbmannpah. com
Fort Myers Beach Birthday Party & New Year’s Eve Celebration ( December 31, 1pm- 3pm and 7pm- 12am) Watch the ball drop at Times Square without shivering on always- lively Fort Myers Beach. The town’s 19th annual birthday party takes place from 1 p. m. to 3 p. m. with free live music, brownies and cupcakes. More live music kicks in at 7 p. m. to start the New Year’s celebration, which culminates with fireworks from the pier as well as the ball drop. 239338- 3500, fortmyers- sanibel. com
SPECIAL EVENTS
Cooking for the Arts ( November 1, 6pm) Cooking for the Arts is a wildly fun interactive dinner experience. The inaugural event celebrates the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center’s new executive chef, Michael Gavala. Participants are seated at tables of eight and together cook a four- course meal under Gavala’s tutelage. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to a new educational art program at the center. Cocktail hour is at 6 p. m., followed by the meal from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers. 239333- 1933, sbdac. com
Painting in the Gardens with Leoma Lovegrove ( November 12 and 13, 9am) Learn painting technique and create original artwork at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates museum. The class, appropriate for all skill levels, is held in the Edison Moonlight Garden and the New West Porch. A supply list is provided. Nationally known artist Leoma Lovegrove teaches only at the museum and in France, so don’t miss the chance to work with this master teacher and renowned artist. Cost: Edison Ford Members $ 350, non- members $ 375. 239- 334- 7419, edisonfordwinterestates. org
SWFL LIVE
O. A. R. The Rockville LP Tour ( November 13, 7: 30pm) The popular rock band O. A. R. ( short for Of a Revolution) brings
their The Rockville LP Tour to Southwest Florida. O. A. R. is renowned for intense, vibrant live shows, which have sold out Madison Square Garden twice, and the communal feeling the band shares with its fans. For O. A. R. fans, the show is a once- in- a- lifetime experience. 239- 4814849, bbmannpah. com
Masterworks 1 ( November 15, 8pm) Internationally acclaimed Maestro Nir Kabaretti leads the Southwest Florida Symphony in its 54th season, filling the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall with the sounds of Rossini’s Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Flute Op. 10, No. 3 the Goldfinch, Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Verdi’s Overture to La Forza del Destino and Respighi’s Pines of Rome. 239- 4181500, swflso. org
Bluegrass in the Theatre ( November 16, 2pm) Join fellow acoustic music lovers in the Foulds Theatre for three hours of great live music by bands from Southwest Florida and beyond. It’s presented in partnership with the Acoustic Music Society of SWFL. 239939- 2787, artinlee. org
Behind the Mask ( November 20, 7: 30pm) In Behind the Mask, Broadway stars Teri Dale Hansen and Nat Chandler present a delightful evening of songs from the Great White Way and hits from The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Jersey Boys, Chicago, A Chorus Line and others. Enjoy the performance at The Village Church Auditorium at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 454- 2067, shellpoint. org
Fort Myers Music Walk ( November 21 and December 19, 7pm) The River District comes alive with music on the third Friday of each month. More than a dozen participating venues feature live music by local and regional talent. 855732- 3836, fortmyersmusicwalk. com
and New York Times bestselling author, Wynonna Judd, along with her band The Big Noise, brings A Simpler Christmas to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Using her rich, commanding voice, Wynonna performs some of her holiday favorites as well as her greatest hits. Sit back and be reminded of the simple blessings as you ring in the season. 239- 481- 4849, bbmannpah. com
ON STAGE
The Great Gotsby Murder ( October 3- November 22, Friday and Saturday, 6: 30pm) The Murder Mystery Dinner Train’s tribute to the 20th- century classic American novel of jealousy, wealth and friendship in the Roaring Twenties. Unravel a comical mystery and find the killer using clues you discover on board. Clue sheets are collected before the final act, and one super sleuth in each dining car receives a prize. Price includes a five- course dinner, murder mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 275- 8487, semgulf. com Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike ( November 1- 19; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, 2pm) The comedy centers around middle- aged Vanya and his sister Sonia who share a home in Bucks County, Penn., where they bicker constantly. The fun begins when their movie star sister, Masha, swoops in with her hot young boyfriend, Spike. Add to the mix the sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and the lovely young, aspiring actress Nina, whose presence irritates the imperious Masha, and you have crazy mayhem. 239- 332- 4488, floridarep. org
Trained for Deception ( September 3- November 2, Sunday, 5: 30pm, Wednesday and Thursday, 6: 30pm) On the Murder Mystery Dinner Train, the newly formed Allied forces must thwart a spy ring aboard a French train at the onset of World War II. Unravel the mystery and find the killer using clues
you discover on board. Clue sheets are collected before the final act, and one super sleuth in each dining car receives a prize. Price includes a five- course dinner, murder mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 2758487, semgulf. com
Iced ( November 28- December 24; Sunday 5: 30pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 6: 30pm) The Murder Mystery Train players make it clear that at Christmas time, anyone can be iced. Unravel the comical mystery and find the killer using clues you discover on board. Clue sheets are collected before the final act, and one super sleuth in each dining car receives a prize. Price includes a five- course dinner, murder mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 2758487, semgulf. com
A Slim Chance of Murder ( November 5- 27; Sunday, 5: 30pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 6: 30pm) High society gets put on its ear as the Murder Mystery Dinner Train presents this comical romp through a 1930s murder. Unravel the mystery and find the killer using clues you discover on board. Clue sheets are collected before the final act, and one super sleuth in each dining car receives a prize. Price includes a five- course dinner, murder mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 2758487, semgulf. com Theatre Conspiracy presents Swell Party ( November 21- December 13; ThursdaySaturday, 8pm; December 7, Sunday, 2pm) A Florida premiere, the play set in 1932 is about the 20- year- old orphaned tobacco heir Smith Reynolds who returns from New York to his family’s Winston- Salem estate with a surprise souvenir: a wife. The new Mrs. Reynolds is the notorious Broadway star Libby Holman, who is a dozen years older than Smith. She arrives with a trunk
load of gin and a possibly- insane acting coach. Smith’s guardian attempts to manage the scandal, but when a party is thrown to introduce Libby to society, the groom turns up dead. 239- 939- 2787, artinlee. org So You Think You Can Dance 2014 ( November 23, 7: 30pm) So You Think
You Can Dance presents its top 10 finalists in performances across America, stopping in more than 70 cities. The season 11 tour lineup includes: Bridget Whitman, Casey Askew, Emilio Dosal, Jacque LeWarne, Jessica Richens, Ricky Ubeda, Rudy Abreu, Tanisha Belnap, Valerie Rockey and Zack Everhart. Fall’s hottest ticket, the show features popular routines and original pieces created for the nationwide tour. You’ve seen them on television, now you can see them on stage. 239- 481- 4849, bbmannpah. com Murder at the Howard Johnson ( December 2- 21; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, 2pm) All is fair in love? Even murder? Those are questions posed by this light and funny suspense comedy— a three- scene love triangle set in a Howard Johnson Motor Inn involving a woman, her lover and her husband. In the first scene, the wife and her lover plot to murder the husband. In the second scene, the wife and her husband are plotting to murder the lover. The third scene has the husband and the lover plotting to murder the wife. 239- 332- 4488, floridarep. org Lewis Black at Barbara B. Mann ( December 11, 8pm) Lewis Black, Grammy Award- winning stand- up comedian, is one of the most prolific and popular performers today. His live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. An angrier optimist than a mean- spirited curmudgeon, Lewis is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence
while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world. 239- 4814849, bbmannpah. com The Great Gotsby Murder Encore ( December 26 and 27, 6: 30pm) The Murder Mystery Dinner Train’s tribute to the 20th- century classic American novel of jealousy, wealth and friendship in the Roaring Twenties. Unravel the mystery and find the killer using clues you discover on board. Clue sheets are collected before the final act, and one super sleuth in each dining car receives a prize. Price includes a five- course dinner, murder mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 2758487, semgulf. com A Slim Chance of Murder Encore ( December 28, 5: 30pm) High society gets put on its ear as the Murder Mystery Dinner Train presents this comical romp through a 1930s murder. Unravel the mystery and find the killer using clues you discover on board. Clue sheets are collected before the final act, and one super sleuth in each dining car receives a prize. Price includes a fivecourse dinner, murder mystery show and train ride. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239275- 8487, semgulf. com
ON VIEW
100 UNDER $ 200, Members Exhibit ( November 7- 29), Original 2- D and 3- D artworks are exhibited in the Main Gallery, and each piece is for sale, priced at $ 200 or less. This cash- andcarry exhibit provides a different kind of shopping experience for art lovers. The opening reception is at 5 p. m. on November 7. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 939- 2787, artinlee. org
Works in Glass ( December 5- 27) The Lee County Alliance for the Arts presents the glass creations of world- renowned artist Richard Mueller, whose works are exhibited at public and private galleries
throughout Canada, Germany and the United States. The opening reception is at 5 p. m. on December 5. The exhibit is in the Member Gallery at Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239- 939- 2787, artinlee. org
27th Annual Downtown Venice Art
Festival ( November 1 and 2, 10am) Venice is one of the most vibrant towns along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s filled with historic charm, natural beauty and indie shops and restaurants. Returning to West Venice Avenue for its 27th year, the Downtown Venice Art Festival features more than 150 of the nation’s most notable artists, exhibiting photography, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, mixed media and more. Meet and visit with the artists, view and purchase original works, or commission a custom piece. 561- 746- 6615, artfestival. com
Artisan and Craft Fair ( November 8, 10am) Enjoy the opportunity to view wares by local crafters and artisans. All items are available for sale, and a variety of foods are offered for purchase. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239- 4722155, sanibelcommunityhouse. net 26th Annual St. Armands Art Festival ( November 8 and 9, 10am) A quick drive from downtown Sarasota over scenic bridges takes you to St. Armands Key and the St. Armands Circle Art Festival. Some 150 artists present their work, including sculpture, photography, glass, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and more. Meet with the artists, commission a work of art and learn what inspires them. 561746- 6615, artfestival. com 3rd Annual San Marco Art Festival ( November 15 and 16, 10am) Southeast of downtown Jacksonville, the chic neighborhood of San Marco, rich in culture and history dating back to the Civil War and home to trendy shops and restaurants, provides a great backdrop for this juried art fair. Browse San
Marco Boulevard and purchase original works, including glass, photography, painting, mixed media, fiber art, jewelry and more. Artists and artisans are available to share their inspirations for work shown at the community art fair. 561- 746- 6615, artfestival. com The CityPlace Fall Art Festival ( November 22 and 23, 10am) The CityPlace Art Festival takes place in downtown West Palm Beach and includes gallery- style booths filled with an eclectic mix of paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures and other pieces of contemporary art from the nation’s talented artists. A great place to start your holiday shopping. 561- 746- 6615, artfestival. com
Sanibel Masters Art Festival ( November 28 and 29, 10am) The Sanibel Masters Art Festival promises to be Sanibel Island’s premier art event, featuring the finest artists, gourmet food booths and live entertainment. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sanibel Community House and BIG Arts. 239- 472- 2155, sanibelcommunityhouse. net 15th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Thanksgiving Weekend Art Festival ( November 30 and 31, 10am) This annual juried art festival of hand- crafted artwork includes glass, photography, painting, mixed media, fiber art, jewelry and much more. Hundreds of artists exhibit and sell their work in Delray Beach. Skip Black Friday and come to the intersection of 4th and Atlantic avenues to browse original art and fine crafts from over 100 exhibitors. Find something for everyone on your holiday gift list. 561- 746- 6615, artfestival. com
4th Annual Coconut Point New Year’s
Weekend Art Festival ( December 27 and 28, 10am) The Coconut Point community is more than just a shopping center. With 113 stores and 25 restaurants, all surrounding several acres of lakes and boardwalk, Coconut Point is the place for people to shop,
dine, work, gather and live. At the 4th Annual Coconut Point New Year’s Weekend Art Festival enjoy fine art, music and more on the streets during two fun- filled days. Stroll amidst life- size sculptures, spectacular paintings, oneof- a- kind jewelry, photography, ceramics and more. 561- 746- 6615, artfestival. com
OUTDOORS
Fort Myers Art Walk ( First Friday each month, 6pm- 10pm; First Saturday of each month, 12pm- 4pm) Art Walk features local and national artwork in the downtown galleries and several art stops in the Fort Myers River District. Friday evening culminates with an after party at 10 p. m. Free trolley service is available for stops outside the core downtown area. Participants in Art Walk include galleries, theaters, museums, restaurants, bars and more. 239- 3375050, fortmyersartwalk. com
Historical Walking Tours ( Saturday, 10: 30am) This 90- minute historical walking tour of downtown Fort Myers educates and entertains with stories of local history and information about the founding fathers who built the city. Tours begin at the Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers. 239- 945- 0405, truetours. net
Haunted History Tour ( Wednesday and Saturday, 8pm) A 90- minute walk through downtown Fort Myers reveals a darker side to its local history, including stories of both residential and commercial buildings reputed to have paranormal activity. Tours begin at the Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers. 239- 945- 0405, truetours. net
Guided Walk at Caloosahatchee
Regional Park ( November 1 and 18, December 6 and 16, 9am) Join an interpretive naturalist as you stroll through a cypress forest and see firsthand the plants and animals that make this area so unique. Participants meet at the main entrance of the park at 18500 North River Road, Alva. 239694- 0398, leeparks. org
Greenmarket ( Saturday, 9am) On the Lee County Alliance for the Arts 10- acre campus, vendors present locally grown, caught and cultivated foods along with other products for sampling and purchase. Live musical entertainment, fun activities for kids, gardening classes and cooking demos by local chefs round out the fun. 239- 939- 2787, artinlee. org
Guided Walk at Hickey’s Creek
Mitigation Park ( November 4 and December 2, 9am) Join an interpretive naturalist and explore plant communities on this guided walk, learning about the plants and animals that make this area so unique. Participants should be able to walk approximately two miles. Hickey’s Creek Mitigation Park, 17980 Palm Beach Blvd., Alva. 239- 822- 5212, leeparks. org