Where to Go & What to Do
SPECIAL EVENTS
Luau of Life Gala (March 19, 6pm) Polynesian and tropical fun, including traditional hula and fire-dancing. Benefits Pediatric Oncology Research. Cocktails and dinner will be served. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com SanCap Cares 16th Annual Island
Celebration (April 3, 5:30pm) “Hitch your wagon to a star” as Southwest Florida gathers at The Sanctuary Golf Club on Sanibel to support the mission of Golisano Children’s Hospital to provide the best in children’s healthcare. Enjoy an elegant evening while raising funds to finish construction of the new 128-bed Children’s Hospital, scheduled to open in 2017. The Sanctuary Golf Club, 2801 Wulfert Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2082, sancapcares.org.
BBQ Bands and Brew (April 3, 11am) Best in local BBQ, live music, games and fun for all ages. Presented by Builders Care. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-9392787, artinlee.org 3rd annual Smoke on the Water Barbecue
Competition & Music Festival (April 29, 7pm) Florida Bar-B-Que Association sanctioned. Teams prepare succulent barbecue, grand champion prizes. Fort Myers River Basin, downtown Fort Myers. Hosted by the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239333-1933, sbdac.com
SWFL LIVE
Bluegrass in the Theatre (March 6, 2pm) Presented in partnership with the Acoustic Music Society of SWFL. Doors open at 1:30. Seating is first-come, firstserved. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239939-2787, artinlee.org The Moody Blues “Fly Me High” Tour (March 10, 7:30pm) The Moody Blues― Justin Hayward (lead guitar, vocals), John Lodge (bass guitar, vocals) and Graeme Edge (drums)—have been at the forefront of classic rock since the 1960s with their multi-platinum, platinum and gold albums and singles that include Nights in White Satin, I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band), Your Wildest Dreams and more. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy., Estero, 239-948-7825, germainarena.com
Fort Myers Music Walk (March 18 and April 15, 6pm) The River District is alive with music on the third Friday of each month. More than a dozen participating venues. 855-732-3836, fortmyersmusicwalk.com Bruce T. Gora Sunset Concert: The
Resolvers (March 20, 5pm) The Resolvers capture the essence of classic reggae: natural acoustic percussion, deep bass grooves, worldly drum rhythms, tasty vintage keyboards, bluesy guitar licks and multi-part vocal harmonies. The concert series honors musician, photographer, architect and longtime Alliance board member Bruce T. Gora. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-9392787, artinlee.org
The Soldier’s Tale (March 22, 7:30pm; March 23 and 24, 8pm) Would you trade an ordinary violin for a magic book? Or your soul for limitless wealth and power? Find out as Maestro Nir Kabaretti and seven members of the Southwest Florida Symphony present The Soldier’s Tale, based on the Russian parable The
Runaway Soldier and the Devil, with music by Igor Stravinsky and words by C. F. Ramuz. Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado Pkwy., Cape Coral, 239418-1500, swflso.org
American Virtuosi in Concert (March 25, 8pm) The American Virtuosi Chamber Concert features the music of the great masters combined with the talent of some of the world’s leading concert artists. The group includes violinists Peter Winograd, first violinist with the American String Quartet; Erin Keefe, concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra; concert cellist Andres Diaz; violists Cynthia Phelps, principal violist of the New York Philharmonic and Jim Griffith, CEO of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, and concert pianist Wendy Chen. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com
Music of John Cage (April 22, 8pm) Friend, collaborator, and influencer of Rauschenberg, John Cage is one of the most notable avant-garde composers of the 20th century. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com
ON STAGE
Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose (March 1 and 2, 8pm; March 2, 2pm) Guilty as charged and deserving of the death penalty. Only Juror No. 8 believes in his innocence. The play follows his efforts to convince the others that reasonable doubt exists. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 1st St., Fort Myers, 239-332-4488, floridarep.org
The Nether by Jennifer Haley (March 4-19, Fridays-Saturdays, 8pm; Sunday, March 13, 2pm) An intricate sci-fi crime drama, set in the year 2050, that tells the story of a virtual, digital world, which provides total sensory immersion. Just log in, choose an identity and indulge your every whim, with no consequences in the real world. Or so it seems. (Strong adult themes.) Foulds Theatre, Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-9392787, artinlee.org
Becky’s New Car by Steven Dietz (March 15-April 6, Tuesdays-Sundays, evening and matinee shows available) Becky Foster is stalled. She feels stranded in a
dead-end job and a marriage that’s lost its spark, and needs a jumpstart. Late one night, when a widowed millionaire stumbles into the car dealership where she works, Becky sees her chance and takes it. Suddenly, this ordinary housewife is living a carefree, fulfilling, and dangerous double life―that is, until it accelerates out of control. Historic Arcade Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, 239332-4488, floridarep.org
The Dingdong by Mark Shanahan (April 19-May 8, Tuesdays-Sundays, evening and matinee shows available) Fidelity is put to the test in this masterfully adapted classic sex farce. Follow the outrageous sexploits of three couples caught in a sordid love triangle. Historic Arcade Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, 239332-4488, floridarep.org
ON VIEW
Hair Today, Art Tomorrow (March 4 - March 27) Anastasia Zappas, artist, owner of Zappas Hair Salon and creator of Definitely New Art, with 40 years in the world of color, sculpting and design, introduces the concept of applying hair to canvas, which has transformed her love of hair into a unique new medium of art. Opening reception on March 4. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com Famous Author Lecture: Caroline Todd (March 7, 12pm) Caroline Todd is half of the mother and son writing team Charles Todd, author of the awardwinning Bess Crawford mysteries, the bestselling Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries and two stand-alone novels. Her background in history and her
enthusiasm for suspense films led to creating a detective who had to make his own decisions and live with his own conscience. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239333-1933, sbdac.com The Influence of Rauschenberg―Jonas
Stirner & Lawrence Voytek (April 2-April 17) One of the most influential artists of the last century, Robert Rauschenberg was prolific and collaborative. This inaugural invitational exhibit showcases artwork of Bob’s work family. Opening reception on April 1 at 6pm. Sidne y & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com Famous Author Lecture: Heather Burch (April 11, 12pm) Heather Burch’s
novel, One Lavender Ribbon, was one of Amazon Kindle’s top 100 bestselling books for 2014. Her epic stories of love and loss have garnered praise from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist magazine and Romantic Times. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239333-1933, sbdac.com
OUTDOORS
Haunted History Tour (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8pm) 90-minute walk in 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 Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers, 239-945-0405, truetours.net
Historical Walking Tour (Thursdays and Saturdays, 10:30am) 90-minute historical walking tour of downtown Fort Myers will educate and entertain with stories of local history and information about city founders. Tours begin at Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., Fort Myers, 239-945-0405, truetours.net
Fort Myers Art Walk (March 4 and April 1, 6pm) On first Fridays a self-guided walking tour in the downtown Fort Myers River District core and the Gardner’s Park area. Meet the artists, art demonstrations. 239-337-5050, fortmyersartwalk.com
Greenmarket (Saturdays, 9am) Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 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. 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-939-2787, artinlee.org
Balloons Over Paradise Festival 2016 (April 2 and 3, 6am) Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee brings the two-day event featuring 60 hot-air balloons and entertainment. Delicious food, arts and crafts, tethered balloon rides, a classic car show, dog agility performances, a polo exhibition and an equestrian drill team. Free admission. Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, 506 1st St. 800-218-0007, seminoleimmokaleecasino.com/ balloons-over-paradise
FAMILY FUN
Disney on Ice: Frozen (March 17-20, evening and matinee shows available) Enter a fantastic winter wonderland beyond all imagination, presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt. The heartwarming, Academy Awardwinning tale kids of every age love. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy., Estero, 239-948-7825, germainarena.com
Outdoor Family Movie Night (March 18, 8 pm) Bring lawnchairs, blankets, picnic baskets and coolers. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Movie TBA. 239-939-2787, artinlee.org
Poetry Open Mic (April 7, 7pm) Southwest Florida poets are invited to share their work at an open-mic evening designed to bring together different generations, styles and approaches. Foulds Theater, Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-939-2787, artinlee.org