SEPT/OCT WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO DO
SPECIAL EVENTS
27th annual “Ding” Darling Days (Oct. 16-22) “Ding” Darling Days’ Family Fun Day on Sunday, Oct. 16, eco-activities, free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, hot dogs, kids crafts and more. Birding, boating, tram tours, paddle-boarding and kayaking activities fill the week. This event also recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty. The celebration ends on Saturday, Oct. 22, with Conservation Art Day, where Federal Duck Stamp winners, other artists, cartooning and a refuge photography tram tour will highlight a day devoted to Jay Norwood Darling’s legacy as the first duck stamp artist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist. 239-472-1100, dingdarlingsociety.org
Halloween Ghost Train (Oct. 28-31, 6:30pm) Wear your scariest, funniest or most original costume for the costume contest. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-275-8487, semgulf.com
Suncoast Credit Union’s War on the
Peace Dragon Boat Festival (Oct. 29, 8am) Celebrate Halloween in Punta Gorda’s War on the Peace Dragon Boat Festival. Form a team of 20 paddlers from your business, community group or friends and family. Food and arts and crafts vendors. Hosted by the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte Harbor Dragons Boat Club, benefits “Take Stock in Children.” Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda. 650-575-9825, waronthepeace.com
6th annual Halloween Spooktacular on
5th (Oct. 31, 4:30pm) Live music, trick or treating, spooky movies and cartoons, haunted houses, a street dance and more. Costume contests highlight the festival on 5th Avenue South―the Pet Costume Contest, sponsored by Pucci and Catana Luxury Pet Boutique; the Kids’ Costume Contest, sponsored by The Mix 104.7 and WGUF; and the Adult Costume Contest sponsored by BobFM 102.9 and Gator Country 101.9. 239-6928436, fifthavenuesouth.com
Fall and Halloween Festival (Oct. 1431, 10am) Ride the Halloween Express train ride through the villages, visit Lee County’s largest pumpkin patch or hop on a hayride. Family-friendly activities, games and food. The Halloween Express train ride, pumpkin patch, activities and games, bounce houses, hayrides and face painting are available from 10am2pm and 6-9pm Monday through Friday, and 10am-9pm Saturday and Sunday. 239-533-7575, leeparks.org
FAMILY FUN
Improv Cafe (Sept. 3 and Oct. 1, 4pm) Little Shop of Improv, first Saturdays at 3pm. Local youth perform short- and long-form improv. Be as involved in the show as you’d like; whether setting a scene with suggestions, or on stage as a player. Moe Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org
Muscle Car City’s Monthly Car and
Bike Show (Sept. 17 and Oct. 22, 9am) Third Saturdays, 9am-1pm, car and bike show. Tom’s Traveling Tunes, trivia and door prizes. Trophies in five Top Choice entries, breakfast and lunch 8am4pm. Muscle Car City, 3811 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. 941-575-5959, musclecarcity.net
SWFL LIVE
Bluegrass in the Theatre (Sept. 11 and Oct. 9, 1pm) Foulds Theatre, Southwest Florida bands, in partnership with Palmgrass.org, the Acoustic Music Society of SWFL. Seating is first-come. Doors open at 1pm. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-939-2787, artinlee.org
Fort Myers Music Walk (Sept. 16 and Oct. 21, 7 pm) River District, third Fridays. More than a dozen venues featuring live music by local and regional talent. 855-732-3836, fortmyersmusicwalk.com
Enchanting Violin Faculty & Guest
Artist Series Concert (Sept. 22, 7:30pm) Violin selections from Florida Gulf Coast University faculty and a guest artist, in the U. Tobe Recital Hall, FGCU Music Building, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers. 239-590-1000, fgcu.edu/cas/bsma
Summer Jazz on the Gulf presents Late
Night Brass (Sept. 24, 6:30pm) The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club’s 31st annual Summer Jazz on the Gulf c oncert series. Jazz with views of the Gulf of Mexico. Music by Late Night Brass. The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. North, Naples. 844-7352022, naplesbeachhotel.com
The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show (Oct. 8, 8pm) The recent record-breaking PBS-TV music specials “50 Years of Doo-Wop” were so well received that they created a new showcase and new audiences for veteran doo-wop artists. The Vogues featuring Bill Burkette ( You’re the One, Five O’clock World, Magic Town), The Marcels ( Blue Moon, Heartaches), The Cookies ( Chains, Don’t
Say Nothin’ Bad About My Baby), The Shades of Blue ( Oh How Happy), The Casinos ( Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye) and Rockin’ Robin’s Rhythm Kings ( Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, Harlem Nocturne). Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy., Fort Myers. 239-4814849, bbmannpah.com
Jason Isbell (Oct. 18, 7:30pm) Jason Isbell with his band The 400 Unit performs songs from his Grammywinning Something More Than Free. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall,