Where to Go & What to Do
Where to Go & What to Do
81st Annual Shell Show and Festival (March 1-3, 9am) More than 500 volunteers help make this event a worldclass shell show. Outside are shell floral arrangements and critters for sale, demo tents and more; inside are judged artistic and scientific displays. Admission to the outdoor shell area and tents is free; $5 donation suggested to enter inside, which includes a free pass to The BaileyMatthews National Shell Museum during show days. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-4722155, sanibelcommunityhouse.net The Painted Conch
(Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays, 6:30pm; Fridays,7pm; Sundays, 12pm) In just one evening complete an original work of art while enjoying friends, music and favorite beverages. Materials provided, on-site artist available. 1242 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 239-673-6660, thepaintedconch.com Ford Mustang Exhibition
(March 3, 10am) The Mustang debuted in 1964 and became an immediate success. In just two years, more than a million were sold. This event includes Mustangs, music and more. A portion of proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the restoration of the Edison & Ford antique car collection. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-3347419, edisonfordwinterestates.org Improv Cafe (March 3, 5pm) First Saturdays youth groups perform short- and long-form improv that includes suggestions by the audience. Be involved, whether setting a scene with suggestions or as a player. Moe Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org Open Mic Night at The French Press (Wednesdays, 6:30pm) Grab your instrument, warm up your voice, gather your friends on Wednesdays from 6:30- 9:30pm for Open Mic Night. The French Press, 5789 Cape Harbour Drive, No. 101, Cape Coral. 239-542-0212, thefrenchpressfl.com SoCo Second Saturday
(March 10 and April 14, 6pm) SoCo Second Saturday is the new arts and cultural monthly event in Fort Myers. South of Colonial is the place to be for a family event with art gallery receptions, vendors, music and more. Proximity of participating venues conveniently allows for a self-guided walking tour, and there’s lots of parking at the Alliance for the Arts and in Royal Palm Square. Don’t miss the after-party at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, starting at 10pm. 1400 Colonial Blvd., Suite 84, Fort Myers. 239-590-8645, socoswfl.com Stars on Ice
(April 6, 7:30pm) Come see the best of the United States, coming to you directly from the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea—in an all-new show! Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 239-948-7825, germainarena.com Cape Bike Night
(April 14, 5pm) Cape Coral Parks and Recreation says come join the fun as motorcycle enthusiasts gather for great food and the best in live music. Compete with new friends in the Slow Bike Race. It’s all about balance, folks! A great opportunity to see new products and biker gear, and enjoy a rock ’n’ roll and country night! 846 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral. 239-573-3128, ccbikenight.com Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
(April 20-May 18, matinee shows available) Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A horrible day. To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. In this delightful adaptation of her popular book, Judith Viorst sets the book to music and brings it to life on stage! Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com CFABS Presents: Jonathan Edwards (March 2-3, 7:30pm) In 1971, Jonathan Edwards released a song of protest and independence that began with the lyrics: “Sunshine, go away today, I don’t feel much like dancing.” More than four decades later, he continues to write and perform with uncompromising musical integrity. Hinman Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org
Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: One Hot Night, A Tribute to Neil Diamond
(March 3, 6pm) One Hot Night reproduces Neil Diamond’s various styles and vocal changes from the start of his career to the present. SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com Artis-Naples Presents: 109 Years of Broadway
(March 4, 3pm and 7pm) The show delivers the century’s best stage-musical moments into one unforgettable program. Featuring a cast of veteran Broadway vocalists, relive classic songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, Webber and more. Hayes Hall, Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900, artisnaples.org Celtic Woman, Homecoming
(March 6, 7:30pm) An accomplished recording ensemble and world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage. And it continues introducing some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians onto the world stage. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers. 239481-4849, bbmannpah.com Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: Ana Popovic
(March 6, 8pm) The Los Angeles-based and Belgrade, Serbia-born guitar-player and singer has a growing legion of fans throughout the world. SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-3896901, swflpac.com Small-Stage Symphonies—From Copland to Classics at BIG ARTS
(March 7, 7:30pm) Nir Kabaretti conducts the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra for a night of beautiful music, featuring Cassia Drake, Jillian Prescott Music Awards winner, on the viola. Selections include Copland’s Quiet City, Stamitz’s Concerto for Viola and Mozart’s
Symphony No. 29 in A Major. BIG ARTS, Schein Hall, 600 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. 239-418-1500, swflso.org
The Texas Tenors
(March 8, 7:30pm) From Bruno Mars to Puccini, the trio of Marcus Collins, John Hagen and JC Fisher will treat audiences to a unique blend of country, classical, Broadway and current pop music. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers. 239-481-4849, bbmannpah.com Small Stage Symphonies—from Copland to Classics at The Village Church at Shell Point
(March 8, 7:30pm) Nir Kabaretti conducts the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra for a night of beautiful music, featuring Cassia Drake, Jillian Prescott Music Awards winner, on the viola. Selections include Copland’s Quiet City, Stamitz’s Concerto for Viola and Mozart’s Symphony No. 29
in A Major. The Village Church at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-418-1500, swflso.org Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: Wonderful Music—A Tribute to Stevie Wonder Dinner Show
(March 9, 6pm) Along with a world class 10-piece group of musicians and vocalists, and the visual authenticity and amazing vocal skills of Guy Smith paying tribute to Stevie Wonder, this is a show you don’t want to miss! SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com Bower School of Music and the Arts Presents: Alex Richardson, Tenor (March 15, 7:30pm) Richardson, a fastrising tenor with a brilliant career ahead of him, will be accompanied on the arias and art songs by Michael Baron. U. Tobe Recital Hall, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers 239-590-1000, fgcu.edu/CAS/BSMA/ Fort Myers Music Walk
(March 16 and April 20, 6pm) Third Fridays, more than a dozen participating venues feature music by local and regional talent. 855732-3836, fortmyersmusicwalk.com Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: Phil Dirt & The Dozers, Tribute to The Beach Boys Dinner Show (March
22, 6pm) Traveling coast to coast, Phil Dirt & The Dozers have been asked to perform more and more beach party music. After all, everyone loves “California Girls,” “Barbara Ann” and “Surfin’ USA,” to name a few. So The Dozers have answered the call! SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-3896901, swflpac.com Bower School of Music and the Arts Presents: Cameron Crozman, Cello (March 27, 7:30pm) Cameron Crozman is hailed as one of Canada’s leading young cellists. He’s been praised for his versatility, musical expressivity and remarkable technique. The program will include a variety of string and piano masterpieces. U. Tobe Recital Hall, Bower School of Music and The Arts, FGCU, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers 239-590-1000, fgcu.edu/cas/bsma Southwest Performing Arts Center Presents: Schism—Tool Tribute Band (April 21, 8pm) In June 2001, after seeing Tool at Madison Square Garden, guitarist Keith Williams, singer Angelo Rivera, bass player Sean Murray and drummer Donald Pusateri decided to form Tool tribute band Schism. SanJan Theater at Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. 239-389-6901, swflpac.com CFABS Presents: The Dan Miller and Lew Del Gatto Sextet Play the Music of Art Blakey
(April 27, 7:30pm) Join trumpeter Dan Miller and tenor saxophonist Lew Del Gatto and celebrate the legacy and music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. The group also features drummer Marty Morell, tenor saxophonist Jeff Rupert, pianist Richard Drexler and bassist Brandon Robertson. Hinman Auditorium, Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org