Where to Go & What to Do
WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO DO
MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC
March 1 Three Cantors and a Pastor, Sanibel
A concert of Broadway songs mixed with pop, light classics and liturgical music, aptly named Three Cantors and a Pastor, takes place at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ (SCUCC). Performing together in this interfaith event is cantor Murray Simon of Bat Yam Temple, cantor Elizabeth Shammash of Tiferet
Bet Israel, pastor John Danner of SCUCC and cantor Rachel Brook of Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City. A reception follows the Sunday afternoon performance. sanibelucc.org, batyam.org
WRAPPING UP THE SEASON
March 4, 7, 14, 21, April 4 Everblades, Estero
Haven’t been to an Everblades ice hockey game this season? Don’t miss the thrill of this fast-paced sport; there are five more home games on the schedule. The team takes on the Jacksonville Icemen (March 4 and 21), the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (March 7), the Orlando Solar Bears (March 14 and April 4). Catch all the action at the Hertz Arena in Estero. floridaeverblades.com
CHEERS TO THE BEER
March 7 Naples Craft Beer Fest
The lineup of brews at this festival that celebrates the art of craft beer making is impressive. Offerings range from popular brands like Shock Top to Florida’s own: Fort Pierce’s Sailfish Brewing Company, Naples Beach Brewery and Islamorada Beer Company to name a few. Come sample a wide variety and enjoy pairings by local restaurants. Awards include the People’s Choice and Brewer’s Choice for the best pairings judged by professional brewmasters. Local bands add to the event, which takes place at Bayfront in Naples. naplescraftbeerfest.com
BROWSE & BUY
March 7-8 Bonita Springs National Art Festival
Some 200 national and international artists show off their work at Riverside Park during the Bonita Springs National Art Festival. Sixteen categories of artwork are on display, and artists are available to answer questions before you buy. Presented by the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs, it’s considered one of the top fine arts festivals in the country. artcenterbonita.org
LAUGH TILL IT HURTS
March 12 Adam Sandler 100% Fresher, Estero
Saturday Night Live alum and comedic film star Adam Sandler brings his Netflix special 100% Fresh to Estero. The 52-yearold takes center stage at the Hertz Arena in Estero for a night of classic Sandler that includes new performances, songs and tributes. His 100% Fresher Tour features a special surprise guest at every show. hertzarena.com
FASHION ON THE CATWALK
March 13-14 Art Walks the Runway, Fort Myers
One of Southwest Florida’s top fashion events, the 9th Annual Art Walks the Runway is a two-day extravaganza held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. Friday, March 13, designs by local fashion designers are featured on the catwalk. Saturday, March 14, is couture night, with national and international designers’ creations in the spotlight. Enjoy a 7 p.m. cocktail hour, followed by the 8 p.m. show both nights. sbdac.com
HEAPING PLATTERS
March 20-22 Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival
In Florida, it’s hard to pass on a seafood festival. This one on Marco Island combines music with an abundance of seafood specialties: grouper sandwiches, crabcakes, stone crab claws, jambalaya, crawdads, chowder and shrimp po’boys. Sip a frozen rum runner or margarita as you enjoy the live music by: Catch a Wave, a Beach Boy tribute band on Friday and Absolute Queen and the Ben Allen Band on Sunday. Veterans Community Park will be packed, so plan on arriving early. marcoislandseafoodandmusicfestival.com
OUTDOOR ART GALLERY
March 21-22 Naples Downtown Art Show
Naples beautiful 5th Avenue South is turned into one huge art gallery. The Naples Downtown Art Show brings together 250 artists who display their paintings, sculptures, pottery and other works of art on the city’s most fashionable avenue. The top talent and quality of work presented at the show makes this a standout event. naplesart.org
CREATIVE ENERGY
March 27-28 Lions Arts and Crafts Fair, Sanibel
Spend the day on Sanibel Island browsing the Lions Arts and Crafts Fair held on Periwinkle Way, Sanibel’s main thoroughfare. Exhibitors display their artwork, and a silent auction with more than 100 items, raffles and food offerings round out the event. sanibelcaptivalions clubartsandcraftsfair.com
MAGICAL MOVES
March 27-29 Disney on Ice, Estero
Join Mickey and friends in an adventure filled with awe-inspiring skating, high
flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts at the Hertz Arena in Estero. The audience follows Captain Hook’s treasure map in a search for Tinker Bell, which takes them through fantasy worlds and culminates in an all-out celebration. The Disney on Ice spectacular Mickey’s Search Party features Coco, Moana, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and other characters, along with Disney’s most famous stars: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy. hertzarena.com
FEEL THE RHYTHM
March 28 Sounds of Jazz & Blues, Cape Coral
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to Tarpon Point Marina for a night of music. Among the performers at Sounds of Jazz & Blues is Gerald Albright, a smooth jazz and instrumental R&B saxophonist. Besides general admission, music lovers can opt for a Jazz Experience ticket, which includes a buffet-style meal and two drinks (beer or wine), or the Jazz VIP ticket, which includes an upgraded buffet and unlimited drinks. capeconcerts.com
SOUND OF THE SYMPHONY
April 1-3 Transfigured Night, Fort Myers & Sanibel
The Southwest Florida Symphony presents its Small Stage Symphonies Series, bringing small ensembles to venues throughout the community. Enjoy the music of Transfigured Night conducted by Nir Kabaretti at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers (April 1), at the Sanibel Community House (April 4), and at The Village Church at Shell Point in Fort Myers (April 3). swflso.org
ATTENTION PARROTHEADS
April 1-5 Escape to Margaritaville, Fort Myers
Part of the Broadway Series, Escape to
Margaritaville is a musical comedy featuring Jimmy Buffett classics like “Fins,” “Volcano” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” High energy with tropical flair, the show is about living the island life—and is perfect for the Florida stage. See it at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. bbmannpah.com
GRANNY GETS IN TROUBLE
April 3-12 Nana’s Naughty Knickers, Cape Coral
The Cultural Park Theatre in Cape Coral present Nana’s Naughty Knickers. It’s a cute story about a granny running an illegal boutique from her New York City apartment, where she sells handmade naughty knickers to senior citizens. When her granddaughter moves in, she discovers nana’s secret. culturalparktheater.com
BARBECUE BLISS
April 4 Big Green EGGFest, Bonita Springs
Both amateur and professional grill masters use Big Green Eggs to prepare their secret recipes and show off their skills. Riverside Park in Bonita Springs welcomes foodies and fans to cheer on the teams competing in this barbecue challenge that will name someone the 2020 EGGhead Grill Master of the year. Watch demonstrations, sample barbecue and check out the latest EGGcessories. The
event is sponsored by Sunshine Ace Hardware. farmcitybbq.com
DANCING DOLL
April 19 Coppélia With Gulfshore Ballet, Fort Myers
The Gulf Coast Symphony joins with the Gulfshore Ballet to present
Coppélia, a comedic ballet that first premiered in 1870. As the story goes, an eccentric inventor creates a doll that mesmerizes young Frantz, who is engaged to Swanilda. When she sees him throwing kisses at Coppélia, she decides to impersonate the doll. The bright score by French composer Léo Delibes, dazzling sets and costumes, and Eastern European dance influences make it a delightful performance enjoyed at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. bbmannpah.com
HOME SWEET HOME
April 21-May 5 Ripcord, Fort Myers
Florida Rep presents the high-stakes comedy Ripcord about two women of a certain age, who claim the sunny room on the top floor of the Bristol Place
Senior Living Facility. When cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters in such prime real estate with new-arrival Marilyn, she decides to get rid of her roommate by any means necessary. A harmless bet quickly escalates into a dangerous game of one-upmanship. See it in the Historic Arcade Theatre at the Florida Rep in Fort Myers. floridarep.org
TOE-TAPPING FUN
April 24 Rhythm on the River, Fort Myers
Head on over to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates for an evening of music and fun. The Rhythm on the River’s Eagles Tribute Show takes place along the Caloosahatchee River. Besides a performance by Hell Freezes Over, playing some of the Eagles most popular hits from the ’70s, a cash bar and refreshments are available. Bring a lawn chair and blanket, find a spot with one of Fort Myers’ best water views, and sing along to “Hotel California,” one of the Eagles’ biggest hits. edisonfordwinterestates.org
FOR THE OPERA LOVER
April 29-30 Don Giovanni, Naples
Often considered the greatest opera ever written, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni is the story of the philandering Don Giovanni as he plots his next conquests—until his luck finally runs out. The opera premiered at the Prague National Theatre in 1787 and remains one of the most soughtout productions. Opera Naples and the Naples Philharmonic present Don
Giovanni in Hayes Hall at Artis—Naples. artisnaples.org TOTI Media, Inc. does its best to ensure that information in this calendar is up to date. However, we still encourage our readers to call ahead for detailed information before attending these local events.