July 2020 Happenings Magazine

Theatre • Concerts • Art • Dining • Music • Calendar

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JULY 2020

THE SOUND OF

AT

MUSIC

BROADWAY PALM

LIVE MUSIC

RETURNS TO

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Naples • Fort Myers • Cape Coral • Port Charlotte • Bonita Springs

2 - JULY 2020

Happenings Magazine

Publisher’s Spotlight

Back in print

After three months of not having a printed magazine, I can easily say that it is good to be back. Granted, we did publish a digital issue in April and dozens of articles online since then, but there’s nothing like holding the magazine in your hands.

So, let’s call this particular issue a special edition. It is unique in that is does not have all its normal elements or special features. Not to over state the obvious, but some of our partners are not open yet. Those that are open are running at limited capacities.

The last three months have been difficult for so many people, and we are no exception. The arts and entertainment industry got hit very hard. Sadly, some theatres, concert halls, galleries, restaurants and bars will never open again.

Those that have reopened or plan to reopen this fall have sustained some major financial losses, as we ourselves did. It’s difficult to publish an event magazine when events don’t happen, and places to pick up the magazine are closed.

But today is a new day, and we are pushing forward, one step at a time.

We are hopeful for the return of live theatre all over Southwest Florida. Two of our stages are lighting back up.

Broadway Palm in Fort Myers operated at 25% capacity for a couple weeks in June, and will go to 50% capacity when the hit musical The Sound of Music opens on July 8. Of course, there are food service changes there (table service instead of buffet.)

In Cape Coral, Cultural Park Theater is opening at the end of July with The Owl and The Pussycat as well as an Elvis tribute concert that will benefit the local theatre.

One local concert venue has reopened and is operating at reduced capacity. We are hopeful others will follow. So many large concert venues (indoors and outdoors) have postponed shows. It’s difficult to say when the national tours will really go back into effect ... so many lives affected on and off the stage.

Live music has been back since early May at many restaurants and 4 - JULY 2020

more recently at local bars. We have noticed that establishments with live music have been drawing more customers. (That was extremely evident on a recent trip to Key West.) After being locked indoors for so long, people are starving for live music.

Some Southwest Florida establishments are going back to the “old days” with a cover charge to help pay for the music. I’m OK with that. As restaurants and bars can only operate at 50% capacity, their revenues are down considerably. So, if I have to pay a few bucks to hear live music, so be it. Just like everyone else, the musicians have to eat and have bills to pay. It’s good to see that some of the local entertainment industry is starting to get some cash flowing again.

Fourth of July

Easter and Memorial Day came and went this spring with not nearly the celebrations that each warrants. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day seemed to slide by as well with much less fanfare than those days deserve.

Now we have Fourth of July, and our country will observe this special day in a different way, too. Festivals, concerts and fireworks are almost non existant.

Bonita Springs and North Port are the only fireworks displays on my radar.

Even the giant Red White and Boom festival in Cape Coral has been bumped to Labor Day weekend. It’s all kind of surreal.

A new world

Whether you are viewing live theatre or live music, our world and that environment has changed drastically. It’s going to be a long road ahead before we get back to what some call a “new normal.”

As I have said before, it is our personal responsibility to take care of our own health and be aware of those around us. I will continue to wear a mask in public. We all have to do our part until a cure or vaccine is found. In the meantime, let’s continue to be kind to those around us.

Rock on (and stay safe),

Jamie

IN THIS ISSUE

theatre

6

art

12

music

16

dining

30 Publishers & Owners

Jamie & Kathy Kuser

Contributors: Holly Zammerilla, Michael Moran, Kathy Kuser, Bob Williams Advertising sales: Jamie Kuser & Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Distribution: Jeff Morrill & Aley Enterprises Happenings A&E Magazine is owned, published & distributed monthly in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties by KMK Publishing Inc.

MAILING ADDRESS:

PO Box 9285, Fort Myers, FL 33902

(239) 278-5236

swfHappenings@earthlink.net

HappeningsMagazine.net

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JULY 2020 - 5

THEATRE

The Sound of Music

opens July 8 at Broadway Palm

Broadway Palm has postponed the opening of The Sound of Music until July 8. After months of planning, the theatre will open its doors once again with this family classic that will play through Aug. 8.

Due to the current environment, Broadway Palm has made numerous adjustments and taken several measures to assure the health and safety of their cast members, employees and customers.

In adhering with the CDC recommendations, the theatre will be operating at a 50% capacity with social distancing being encouraged throughout the theatre. The seating arrangement has been altered to appropriately space the tables and all tables will be private.

For the time being, all meals will be plated and guests will choose from a menu which will include soup, salad, five entrees and desserts.

Broadway Palm has always had a rigorous sanitation process in place, but they have implemented new cleaning and sanitizing procedures.

In addition, temperature checks will be performed on everyone that enters the building and admittance will not be allowed to anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher. Employees and cast members went through an extensive evaluation before being able to return to work and employees are required to wear protective gear and practice frequent hand washing.

“We are thrilled to be able to raise our curtain again and wel6 - JULY 2020

come our employees and customers back to the theatre. My team and I have been working hard to ensure that even with the modifications to our operation, our customers will still get the same great experience they have come to expect at Broadway Palm,” said William T. Prather, owner and executive producer.

To make certain the theatre is ready for the big summer musical and reopening, Broadway Palm is did a soft opening and operated at a reduced capacity of 25% with the comedy Love, Sex and the IRS which played for a couple weeks in June.

The Sound Of Music is based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews.

This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has touched the hearts of audiences around the world for decades. Follow Maria, the high-spirited, aspiring nun as she is sent from her convent to be the governess to seven unruly children of a strict father, Captain von Trapp. The children eventually come to like Maria and she finds herself falling in love with the captain. The timeless score includes “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Every Mountain,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “Edelweiss” and “The Sound of Music.”

Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with select matinees. Tickets are $48 to $73 with group discounts available. There is a summer special and tickets for anyone 18 and under are just $20 for the meal and the show. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

Happenings Magazine

TheatreZone in Naples revises season schedule for 2020-21

TheatreZone, a professional Equity theatre in Naples specializing in Broadway musicals, has made changes to its 2020-2021 season shows.

The revised schedule includes Home for the Holidays (Dec. 11 - 13); I Love My Wife (Jan. 7 - 17); Bright Star (Feb. 4 - 14); Camelot (March 4 - 14); and The Bridges of Madison County (April 15 - 25).

“Our sixteenth season will include a variety of traditional shows, audience favorites, and shows that might be new to some audience members,” says Mark Danni, artistic director. “We always strive to expose our subscribers and ticket buyers to a variety of works that can be unique to our market.”

Home for the Holidays is a TheatreZone original production celebrating the season with an extravaganza of holiday favorites, lively dance routines, gorgeous costumes and a live orchestra to put everyone in a festive mood.

A hysterical satire of the sexual revolution of the 1970s, I Love My Wife takes place on Christmas Eve in suburban Trenton, New Jersey, where two married couples who have been close friends since high school find themselves contemplating a ménage-à-quatre. What is truly innovative about the show is that the musicians are on the stage and melded into the play, where they sing, dress up in fancy clothes and comment on the action.

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Happenings Magazine

Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star tells a beautiful story of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.

An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

TheatreZone will also present Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot. Audiences can expect to experience a youthful, edgier version of this legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot. Borrowing from the Arthurian legends, Camelot is the duo’s fantastical masterpiece which triumphed on Broadway in a legendary original production that lead to a film version, and numerous revivals in New York, London and across the globe.

“This new version of Camelot has been enhanced to create stronger connections within the delightful classic,” said Danni. “The definitive score and memorable characters are all there but with a libretto and orchestration adapted for a production which I believe our audiences will appreciate and enjoy.”

The Bridges of Madison County, based on the best-selling novel and developed by the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and Marsha Norman, captures the lyrical expanse of America’s heartland along with the yearning entangled in the eternal question, “What if…?”

Winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score and Orchestrations, this sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross will leave audiences breathless.

“With its soaring score and touching story, The Bridges of Madison County is a strong addition to any theatre's season,” said Danni. “The powerful roles of Francesca and Robert are a dream come true for any actor, while the ensemble is rich with characters who tell their own individual stories and receive plenty of focus on stage.”

All evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Matinees at 2 p.m. will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

TheatreZone is in residence at the 250seat G&L Theatre on the Community School of Naples campus, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples.

Tickets range from $50-$65 with premium seats available at $85.

For more info, visit www.theatre.zone or call 888-966-3352 x1.

JULY 2020 - 7

THEATRE

The Music Man with Gulf Coast Symphony moves to Nov. 7 & 8 Originally scheduled for late March, the Gulf Coast Symphony has moved its production of The Music Man to November.

Broadway veterans and local talent alike join Gulf Coast Symphony for the beloved classic musical The Music Man featuring a full cast, orchestra and staging.

The Music Man will be busting onto the stage at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 8 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW. The Music Man took Broadway by storm in 1957, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In the show, fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill brings trouble to River City, Iowa when he cons the townspeople into buying instruments for an imaginary band – but his plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when his heart is stolen by the town librarian. Featuring the unique distinction of having book, lyrics, and music written by the same person, The Music Man

Brian Sears will play Harold Hill

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Siri Howard will play Marian the librarian

was inspired by Meredith Willson’s childhood in Iowa.

Songs from the show became instant classics, like “Seventy-Six Trombones”, “Gary, Indiana”, and “Till There Was You”, which was eventually covered by The Beatles and remains the only song from a Broadway show released by the band. The show also features Willson’s famous snap-crackle-pop vocal arrangements that could be considered the Broadway precursors to rap. plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when his heart is stolen by the town librarian.

The cast includes friend of the symphony Siri Howard as Marian Paroo, who has appeared in other symphony productions as Laurie in Oklahoma! and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. Howard has

appeared in the Broadway productions and national tours of Les Misérables and The Sound of Music. She has also toured nationally with The Phantom of the Opera and Parade.

Brian Sears stars opposite as Professor Harold Hill. Sears has extensive Broadway and West End credits as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon, Lend Me a Tenor (Dir. Stanley Tucci), Finian’s Rainbow, Grease, and All Shook Up. Rounding out the main cast is Edward Juvier as Marcellus Washburn (Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway), Gene Weygandt as Mayor Shinn (Wicked and Big on Broadway), and Mary Stout as Eulalie Shinn (Jane Eyre, Beauty and the Beast, Me and My Girl, My Favorite Year on Broadway).

Tickets may be purchased by calling 239-481-4849 or online at www.GulfCoastSymphony.org Happenings Magazine

Charlotte Players return with Baggage July 17 - 24

Two difficult, single people, Phyllis and Bradley, get their luggage mixed up at the airport. After a disagreeable first encounter, they form a friendship that eventually leads to the two discovering they are perfect for each other.

That’s the premise behind Baggage, a romantic comedy scheduled for July 17 - 26 at the Charlotte Players’ Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market St., Port Charlotte.

Directed by Jack Rabito, the show was originally set for April, until Coronavirus concerns forced the cancellation of all Charlotte Players shows and programs scheduled for March and April.

“I’m proud of the way our staff and volunteers stepped up as we went into recovery mode,” said executive director Sherrie Moody. “They worked tirelessly to keep our members and customers informed in the ever-changing environment we all faced.

“We received an inordinate volume of calls and appreciated people being patient. As a nonprofit organization, we exist on an extremely tight budget, and we thank the many ticket holders who donated their ticket costs to canceled events in a tremendous show of support.”

The Charlotte Players recently released a brochure for its 60th season. The brochure can be downloaded at www.charlotteplayers.org.

In addition to Baggage, canceled shows getting a second chance include Neil Simon’s Proposals and Sister’s Easter Catechism, both in March of 2021.

Two of the group’s major fundraisers, Kids OnStage and Comedy for a Cause, are undergoing changes. Logistics prevented the Players from Happenings Magazine

presenting the annual Kids OnStage summer camp at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center (CPAC) this summer.

Moody is looking for an alternate location and is hoping a positive announcement will be forthcoming.

As for Comedy for a Cause, Moody and organizer Steve Lineberry plan on offering a virtual show on Sept. 25, featuring an allstar lineup of former cast members.

Baggage, according to Broadway World, “is full of splendid surprises. Another superbly written comedy by award-winning playwright Sam Bobrick.”

Bobrick has written and cowritten over 40 plays, most of them performed throughout the world. In 2011, he won the Mystery Writers of America “Edgar” Award for his play, The Psychic. For television, he created the teenage hit series Saved by The Bell and wrote for numerous comedies and musical variety shows.

Bill Olson, a Charlotte Players director and theater arts teacher at Charlotte High School, is the executive producer of Baggage. Tickets are $22 for adults and $11 for students and may be ordered at www.charlotteplayers.org or by calling 941-255-1022 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

There are four evening performance and two Sunday matinees.

“We will be practicing safedistancing at the Langdon,” Moody said, “with extra ushers and other personnel on hand to sanitize restrooms and wipe down counters and door handles.”

Call 941-255-1022 for more details. “We have an ambitious schedule for 202021,” said Moody, “and we’re confident Baggage will get us started on the right foot.”

JULY 2020 - 9

THEATRE

Cultural Park Theater restarts with The Owl & The Pussycat

Elvis tribute concerts to benefit local theater

By Michael Moran The Cultural Park Theater will reopen July 24 after being shut down by the Corona virus. Sadly, we have suffered great financial losses by having had to close our main season in March because of the pandemic.

The theater was forced to cancel the last three remaining shows in our 2019 - 2020 season along with two special fundraising show galas planned in March. That has had a huge impact on us financially, but we are far from the only theater in the country suffering. Our theater has been blessed in that we’re very fortunate to have a lot of great donors, sponsors, members and volunteers lending us their support here in our Cape Coral community.

Our venue is large enough for us to be able to socially distance our patrons and our actors, as well. We just want to be able to keep everyone safe. So along with intense cleaning and disinfecting procedures in place and greatly limited seating, we will only be able to seat 71 of our normally 200 seat theater per performance.

We will be asking families to sit together, whoever you came with to sit together,and we will only be seating every other row in the auditorium in order to put space between patrons’ seats. We’ll be taking temperatures and asking people to wear

10 - JULY 2020

masks, just to make sure we’re taking all of the precautions to stay safe, and follow all current CDC guidelines.

Cultural Park is thrilled to open two of the closed shows to limited performances and seating. First up will be the timeless comedy by Bill Manhoff, The Owl and the Pussycat, on stage July 24, 25 and 26. The Friday performance will be at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday performances will be at 3 p.m.

The Owl and the Pussycat opened in New York in 1964 David Morin will be in concert July 31 - Aug. 2 paying and was such a success that tribute to Elvis and others. The concerts will benefit it was soon made into a film Cultural Park Theater. with Barbra Streisand and George Segal. The play continues to be enormously popthe Legends. With only three perular with audiences all over the world. formances and limited socially disIn a San Francisco loft, an aspirtanced seating, you will want to be ing author Felix focuses his binocusure to get your tickets before they're lars on a prostitute plying her trade. gone.

He complains to the landlord, has her Finally, we are happy to announce evicted, and finds trouble pounding the opening of our 58th Broadway on his door in the form of Doris, not a season. This season we indeed celeprostitute, but an aspiring “model and brate the best of our 58 years of fine actress, thank you very much.” She entertainment. Season tickets go on figures he owes her a bed for the sale July 1, but again remember folnight, an arrangement that leads to lowing the pandemic, our seating and hilarity. Note this comedy does conschedules have changed. But what tain mild adult themes. has not changed is the quality enterNext up, “Elvis is back in the buildtainment and affordable prices our ing,” as we welcome David Morin patrons have been able to enjoy back on the Cultural Park stage. each year at Cultural Park Theater.

David Morin and his Elvis and the As we continue to work our way Legends tribute originally scheduled through the financial losses, watch for March will open for limited perour website and social media pages formances on July 31, Aug. 1 and 2. for special events that will be celePerformances will be at 8 p.m. on brating and raising funds for Lee Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday and County’s oldest and best live theatre Sunday with limited seating. venue.

David has won awards as one of The Cultural Park Theater is locatthe country’s best Elvis tribute acts ed at 528 Cultural Park Blvd. in Cape and is always a popular member of Coral. Call the box office for more Cultural Park’s concert stage. So join information at 239-772-5862. us for some of the best music history Michael Moran is executive direchas to offer as David Morin takes the tor of the Cultural Park Theatre stage to present music from Elvis and Company.

Happenings Magazine

CULTURAL PARK THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

DAVID MORIN

ELVIS & THE LEGENDS

JULY 24 - 8 PM JULY 25 - 3 PM JULY 26 - 3 PM

JULY 31 - 8 PM AUG. 1 - 3 PM AUG. 2 - 3 PM

To benefit the theater

The Gunterberg Charitable Foundation’s 2020-2021 Broadway Series

LIMITED SEATING • SOCIAL DISTANCING 528 Cultural Park Blvd.

Cape Coral

239-772-5862

www.CulturalParkTheater.com

ALL TICKETS ON SAL

E NOW

ART

Introspection features new art by David Acevedo

Acclaimed artist David Acevedo is presenting a new collection of paintings created in the last year, exploring new and past mediums, while using human interactions, experiences and perceptions as inspiration.

Introspection opens to the public on Friday, July 3 in the Grand Atrium gallery of the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center. Guests have the opportunity of a more intimate, social distancingconscious reception when reserving for one of three VIP parties hosted by the artist. Reservations are accepted from the artist’s website at www.acevedostudio.com. The general opening reception starts at 6 pm. The exhibition will be on display through July 30.

David Acevedo was born in Puerto Rico and has been a Southwest Florida resident since 2000. He has immersed himself in the art scene of Fort Myers and surrounding cities, collaborating in a multitude of projects, including the co-founding of the Fort Myers Art Walk, the establishment of the Union Artist Studios and the very popular DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery.

He was awarded an Angel of the Arts Award in 2009 and a FACE Award in 2016. He is also the recipient of two art grants by the City of Fort Myers.

Throughout his career, he has dedicated a lot of his time to support, sponsor and promote other local artists, some of which got their first exhibition at one of Acevedo’s venues. The artist has been featured in several publications, both locally and internationally and has

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exhibited his work in Europe and Asia.

With the launching of a new website and the Introspection exhibition, Acevedo plans on reinventing and restructuring his artistic self. His new pieces, as presented in this show, are stronger in subject matter and presence. His composition and symbolism is more focused and relevant to his environment. In addition, his approach to the mixing of mediums has reached a higher level of expertise. He has incorporated silkscreen printing, spray acrylic paint and stencils with traditional acrylic painting on large scale canvas-

es. The larger size of the pieces in this collection is also a change in the artist’s production.

A 24-page full color and limited edition catalog will be available for sale during the opening reception on July 3.

The catalog will be available online at the artist’s website after the reception.

The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in downtown Fort Myers. Regular exhibition hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information about the venue is available at www.sbdac.com.

Happenings Magazine

Wicked Floromancy opens July 3 Exhibit showcases Pam Trent, Katie Vance and Catie Sibbald

The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center welcomes a trio of super talented artists, Pam Trent, Katie Vance and Catie Sibbald, as they present “Wicked Floromancy.�

The show opens upstairs in the Capital Gallery on Friday, July 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy an opening night reception with artist meet and greet, cocktails and inspiring art.

Wicked Floromancy is the culmination of Floromancy Designs, Ath-Lion and Wicked Apple Art, blending fashion and design with nature. Culturally we've begun to realign ourselves with a more natural mindset, one in reverence for the Earth and its ecosystems which delicately balance life.

The show theme suggests another worldly alternative to the people we've become and the people we could be, seamlessly bound to Earth.

The featured pieces are a collaboration that represents that regalia to our inherent power and the beauty of flora, as mystical and mighty creations of nature.

Happenings Magazine

This exhibition is a unique collaboration between a body painter, hairstylist and horticulturist. Katie Vance is a SW Florida native and third generation horticulturist. A gardener by pro-

fession and a collector of rare plants, the divine expression of nature is her primary fascination and the inspiration behind Floromancy Designs. Since 2015, Katie has used her expanding knowledge and experience to create bold, whimsical, and often abstract representations of Nature in the form of lush, three-dimensional fashion statements in her head dress designs.

Pam Trent is a body painter and the creator of Wicked Apple Art, while Catie Sibbald spends most of her days as a creative hair artist at AthLion Boutique in Fort Myers.

The exhibit will run close at 3 p.m. on July 30. Summer gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.

For more information, call the center at 239-333-1933 or visit online at www.sbdac.com.

JULY 2020 - 13

ART

ACT Gallery welcomes

ArtPoems

Clyde Butcher

Clyde Butcher exhibit

The IMAG History and Science Center has a Clyde Butcher exhibit entitled “Cuba: The Natural Beauty” on display now through Dec. 20. IMAG is located at 2000 Cranford Ave. in Fort Myers. Call 239-243-0043 or visit www.theimag.org.

Jeanette Marion

Showcase in Punta Gorda

The Member’s Showcase exhibit opens at the Visual Arts Center on July 2 and is on display through Aug. 6. The VAC will host a virtual awards presentation via Facebook Live Thursday, July 9 at 2 p.m.

This exhibit will also be available as a virtual tour, at www.VisualArtCenter.org. The center is located at 210 Maud St., Punta Gorda, or call 941-639-8810.

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Arts for ACT Gallery will hold an opening reception Friday, July 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. for its Art Poems exhibit in the main gallery and an exhibit of Arts for ACT Gallery’s co-op artists and volunteers in the White Gallery.

ArtPoems is a creative collaboration of artists and poets. As a platform for the creation of new art and poetry, it adds a unique vision and voice to the Southwest Florida cultural landscape each year. Founded in 2007 by Lorraine Walker Williams and Joe Pacheco, ArtPoems celebrates its 14th year in 2020.

Each season, Art Poems’ artists and poets are paired and exchange art and poetry. The artists create new art works inspired by poetry, and the poets write new poems inspired by artwork. New creations emerge from this shared inspiration and collaboration.

Arts for ACT Gallery co-op artists and volunteers will exhibit in the White Gallery for the month of July. This exhibit will include new works by our working artists. The exhibit will be an eclectic group show with mixed media, fine crafts, art journaling, jewelry, art clothing, oil and acrylic paintings and more.

Brook Anderson These exhibits continue to Aug. 3.

Arts for ACT Gallery is located at 2265 First St. in downtown Fort Myers. For more details, call 239-3375050 or visit artsforactgallery.com.

Susan Mills

Happenings Magazine

Rescheduled Frida Kalho inspired exhibit at DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery

In the month of July, DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery & Gifts features the work of a number of Southwest Florida artists, invited and challenged to create pieces inspired by the iconic surrealist painter Frida Kalho.

The exhibition (originally scheduled for April) was postponed due to the pandemic situation. The show features works in multiple mediums, following the prospectus on the gallery’s website. The new opening reception is scheduled for Friday, July 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The exhibition will be on display through Aug. 1.

A social distancing-conscious afterparty event will follow at 9:30 p.m., right there at the Butterfly Estates, in the outdoor bar space nestled between DAAS Co-Op and Thrifty Garden. This space, christened Atala Wine & Beer Bar, provides a nature-inspired experience, amongst the butterflies and flowers abundant around the complex. The Atala Wine & Beer Bar is a collaborative project between the shops and a great alternative to the hustle and buzzle of other parts of downtown Fort Myers.

For president and member artist David Acevedo, Frida is an idol and an incredible source of inspiration. “I do not know

Happenings Magazine

or fully understand my connection to this woman and how I feel when I contemplate her paintings,” says Acevedo, who is also participating in the invitational exhibition. “She persevered through the heartaches, ailments and so many other circumstances, but never gave up. She was resilient and always found a way to continue painting and that, I think, it’s very much how I am. Frida lives in my heart and that is why we wanted to dedicate this exhibition to her.”

He continued, “We invite all Southwest Florida art collectors, supporters and enthusiasts to join us for the opening reception. As always, the gallery will be filled with the most beautiful inventory of art, fine crafts, apparel, sculptures, pottery and jewelry, all produced here by the member artists.”

DAAS Co-Op is located at 1815 Fowler St., Unit 3, in Fort Myers.

Temporary business hours are Friday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information about gallery and/or how to become a member can be found at www.daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

JULY 2020 - 15

MUSIC

Sounds of Summer returns with Sheena Brook,

singer-songwriter contest

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Sheena Brook

Sounds of Summer is back at the Davis Art Center with another great lineup of performances with multi-talented musicians.

The series kicked off June 19 with dueling pianos featuring Sarah Hadeka and David Rode.

As the series continues on July 24, experience an evening of singer songwriters performing live at SBDAC. This year’s July Sounds of Summer Concert is presented by Sheena Brook and will feature The F.E.M. Collective.

THE F.E.M. is a media and event driven collective designed to create a movement that amplifies women's voices, adding to their fulfillment as artists to benefit the local culture, create equality in the national music scene and ultimately improve the world we live in. Sheena Brook, Claire Liparulo and Katie Lyon will be playing original songs and talking about the inspiration and the process behind them.

The Fourth Annual Summer Singer-Songwriter Competition closes out the series on Aug. 21.

Experience an evening of original music from local and national competitors. See performers play for a chance to win amazing prizes including the grand prize, who will receive recording time at Six Fingers Studios and a spot at the Island Hopper Singer Songwriter Festival.

The competition focuses on original musicians in the singer-songwriter genre. Each year, the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center offers singer-songwriters the opportunity to perform an original song live, and win great prizes. Competitors submit a video of themselves performing an original song.

Then, selected artists are invited to perform live in front of a judge’s panel

Katie Lyon

Claire Liparulo

and a live audience. The deadline to enter the competition is Aug. 12.

Judges will determine the grand prize winner, while the audience has a chance to vote for the “people’s choice” winner.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Students can buy one ticket and get one free by presenting a student ID at the box office.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.

For info, visit www.sbdac.com or call 239-333-1933.

Happenings Magazine

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns Sept. 18

Organizers are advising local residents and visitors to save the dates for the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Sept. 18 – 27.

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is a 10-day music festival in Southwest Florida that draws some of country music’s greatest singer-songwriters from Nashville and nationwide.

Enjoy 80 plus artists, 100 plus shows, (most of which are free) in small, intimate venues.

The festival will include best practices in compliance with CDC guidelines.

This year’s festival starts on Captiva Island Sept.

18 – 20, then moves to Downtown Fort Myers Sept.

21 – 24. The festival concludes on Fort Myers Beach Sept. 25 – 27.

To get folks ready, organizers have been holding virtual concerts with artists scheduled to be at this year’s fest. Called Songs from the Sofa, the Instagram live event is hosted by DJ Mike Tyler from Cat County 107.1. The event features music by the artist, interviews and stories behind the songs.

The first Songs from the Sofa was with Sam James on May 21. Sam James is a BMI singersongwriter and a star from the hit show, “The Voice.”

James recently performed his original song, “Shinedown” on NBC’s songwriting show, “Songland” and has written hit songs for such artists as Bebe Rehxa and Dolly Parton.

The second Songs from the Sofa featured Jay Allen on June 11. Jay Allen, BMI singer-songwriter and rising star, gained recent success from his hit, “Blank Stares,” a song he wrote for his mother who passed away from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The country music breakout artist caught the attention from fans right away with his first hit single, “Sounds Good to Me,” listed as a “Highway Find” on Sirius XM’s “The Highway” channel.

For more about the upcoming festival, visit www.islandhopperfest.com

Anthony Wayne

Live music returned to Southwest Florida in early May when Florida Gov.. Ron DeSantis opened restaurants at limited capacity. Since then, bars have been allowed to reopen and live music is starting to rebound. Local musician Anthony Wayne was spotted May 4 at Peteʼs Time Out in Times Square on Fort Myers Beach. A regular beach performer, Anthony can be heard at many local venues.To find out where Anthony Wayne performs next, follow him on Facebook. To hire him, call 239-326-7771.

Key West Songwriters Festival moves to Oct. 7 - 11 The rescheduled Key West Songwriters Festival will now take place Oct. 7 - 11 this year.

Normally held in early May, the festival was postponed this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world. Since 1997 BMI has been a presenting Happenings Magazine

sponsor of the festival and has helped it grow into both a tourist attraction and favorite of island locals.

The festival revolves around five days and nights where live music bliss introduces crowds to the faces, voices and stories behind the songs.

For details and updates, visit www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com JULY 2020 - 17

MUSIC

TheatreZone concert schedule for 2020-21

TheatreZone’s concert series for the 2020-2021 season includes the return of the extremely popular Mersey Beatles, who have sold out shows the past three seasons at TheatreZone, as well as three great new shows: Simon & Garfunkel: Live in Central Park, revisited; Sinatra…my way; and Mack is Back: The Music of Bobby Darin.

Simon & Garfunkel: Live in Central Park, revisited will be presented on Jan. 18 at 4 and 7:30 p.m. In September 1981, this iconic folk rock duo’s free benefit concert drew 500,000 people and became the seventh-largest concert attended to date in U.S. history.

The Feud. Sinatra and Roselli: 2 Guys from Hoboken will be performed Jan. 23.

The Feud is based on the professional and personal relationship between Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Roselli, both great singers who lived on the same block in Hoboken, N.J. Sinatra…My Way will be presented Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. “Larry Alexander has performed this show to sold-out audiences on Broadway and we’re excited to have him

back on our stage,” said TheatreZone artistic director Mark Danni.

Though yet unconfirmed, rumor has it that the orchestra will include a special guest drummer who has performed on Broadway for such smash shows as 'Chicago,' 'Les Miserables,' 'Grand Hotel' and 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.'

The Mersey Beatles will perform its “Favorites of Naples” show on Feb. 16 at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Fan favorites The Mersey Beatles, like the original Fab Four, are a band from the great city of Liverpool. They are childhood friends who share a love of Beatles music. The “Favorites of Naples” show will include Beatles hits spanning 40 plus years, with special emphasis on the songs TheatreZone’s Naples audience espouses.

Mack is Back: The Music of Bobby

The Mersey Beatles

Darin will be presented Feb. 18 at 4 and 7:30 p.m. A Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, film and television actor, there’s not much the talented Bobby Darin couldn’t do. Born Walden Robert Cassotto, the selftaught Darin could play several instruments, including piano, drums, and guitar, by the time he was a teenager, later adding harmonica and xylophone. Enjoy this special trip through his iconic career, with music spanning genres and generations.

For more information and tickets, visit www.theatre.zone or call 888-966-3352 x1.

Lucky Strikes Duo

Live music has returned at many bars and restaurants throughout Southwest Florida.

Operating at limited capacities for health and safety reasons, some venues are charging a cover charge to help pay the performers. Local performers Laurie Ann and Steve Lutke (aka Lucky Strikes Duo) are back at work. The Lucky Strikes Duo played May 9 at The Pinchers Tiki Bar at the Wyndham Resort located on the south end of Fort Myers Beach. If interested in booking Lucky Strikes Duo, call 386-717-7274.

18 - JULY 2020

Gulfshore Opera reschedules

La Boheme for fall

Gulfshore Opera has rescheduled its original production of La Boheme for Nov. 10 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arst Hall in Fort Myers.

The production was originally planned for March 18, but was canceled due to the Coronavirus.

For this highly anticipated new production, Gulfshore Opera has hired a vibrant young director from California, and a creative team from across the United States to bring Puccini’s timeless classic to Southwest Florida.

Tickets are available by visiting www.gulfshoreopera.org or calling 239-529-3925.

Happenings Magazine

Joe Nichols at The Ranch

The Sam Galloway Concert Series and Gator Country 101.9 welcomed country star Joe Nichols to The Ranch Concert Hall and Saloon in Fort Myers on June 19. The Ranch operated at 50% capacity that night and sold out the show. This was the first major concert in Southwest Florida since the COVID crisis began.

Broadway Palm announces concert series for 2021

Broadway Palm’s annual concert series will feature five concerts.

All evening concerts begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and concert at 7:30 p.m. All Sunday twilight concerts begin with dinner at 5:30 p.m. and concert at 7 p.m. The matinee concerts begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and concert at 1 p.m. All concert tickets are $80 for dinHappenings Magazine

ner and the show or $60 for the show only.

The concert series includes: One of These Nights: A Tribute to The Eagles Jan. 24 and 25 Sinatra & Streisand: The Concert That Never Was Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 Dwight Icenhower’s Tribute to the King Feb. 8 and 9

Tribute to Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston Feb. 28, March 1 and 2 December ’63: A Tribute to the Jersey Boys March 14 – 16 Individual tickets are on sale now.

For more information visit online at www.BroadwayPalm.com, call 239-2784422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.

JULY 2020 - 19

IN CONCERT

PERFORMANCES IN SW FLORIDA,

SUN COAST & KEY WEST JUL 10

James Carothers

The Ranch, Fort Myers

JUL 11

Tony Jackson

The Ranch, Fort Myers

JUL 17

Red Clay Strays

The Ranch, Fort Myers

JUL 24

The Original Wailers The Ranch, Fort Myers

38 Special

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

JUL 25

Dillon Carmichael The Ranch, Fort Myers

AUG 7

Allie Colleen

The Ranch, Fort Myers

AUG 11

The Psychedelic Furs Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

AUG 14

Great White and Autograph

The Ranch, Fort Myers

AUG 17

Tedeschi Trucks Band BB Mann Hall, Fort Myers

AUG 20

Ricky Scaggs

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater 20 - JULY 2020

Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns announced its rescheduled concert date for Hertz Arena. Casting Crowns and Matthew West will now perform Oct. 29 at Hertz Arena in Estero. For tickets and information, visit online at www.hertzarena.com

AUG 22

OCT 2

NOV 7

AUG 29

Firefall, Poco and Pure Prairie League

NOV 12

Alabama, Don McLean Hertz Arena, Estero

Craig Morgan

The Ranch, Fort Myers

SEP 16

Boney James

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

SEP 19

Easton Corbin

The Ranch, Fort Myers

Pat Benetar & Neil Giraldo

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

SEP 25

Adam Calhoun

The Ranch, Fort Myers

SEP 26

Slaughter, LA Guns The Ranch, Fort Myers

OCT 1

Collie Buddz

The Ranch, Fort Myers

Toby Keith

Hertz Arena, Estero

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

OCT 3

Allman Betts Band

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

OCT 9

Here Come the Mummies

Seminole Casino, Immokalee

OCT 20

Jonny Lang

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

OCT 29

Casting Crowns and Matthew West Hertz Arena, Estero

NOV 5

Melisa Etheridge

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

NOV 6

Shenandoah

The Ranch, Fort Myers

Charlie Daniels Band

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Buddy Guy & Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

NOV 18

Bruce Hornsby

Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

DEC 3

John Tesh

Seminole Casino, Immokalee

DEC 10

Hermanʼs Hermits starring Peter Noone

Seminole Casino, Immokalee

DEC 11

38 Special

Key West Amphitheater

JAN 31

Crystal Gayle

Seminole Casino, Immokalee

Daily concert updates at HappeningsMagazine.net

Happenings Magazine

The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon reopens with revised schedule

Road, which included the New dates have been Top 5 hits “Lovin’ You Is announced for the numerFun” and “All Over The ous shows that were preRoad.” Corbin set a viously scheduled at The career-best debut on Ranch Concert Hall & country airplay with his Saloon in Fort Myers. top 5 hit single, “Baby Be Schedules are changing My Love Song,” from his constantly and ticket buyNo. 1 debuting album ers are advised to always About To Get Real. check with the venue Corbin’s new single, “A before the event.

Girl Like You,” from his The revised Sam upcoming fourth studio Galloway Ford Concert album is Top 30 and Series welcomes Tony climbing and was Jackson on July 11, The released to rave reviews.

Red Clay Strays on July The Sam Galloway 17, Dillon Carmichael on Concert Series was startJuly 25, Allie Colleen on The Red Clay Strays will perform July 17 at The Ranch. ed in the fall of 2014 to Aug. 7, Craig Morgan on help bring awareness to Aug. 29, Easton Corbin Community Cooperative on Sept. 19, Shenandoah (The Soup Kitchen) and on Nov. 6 and Tracy multi-week Number One “That’s What I the good work they do in the community.

Lawrence on March 19, 2021.

Love About Sunday,” “International The concert series features rock and Other concerts at The Ranch Concert Harvester,” “Bonfire,” “This Ole Boy” and country artists on a regular basis at the Hall (not part of the Galloway series) “Wake Up Lovin’ You” was exemplary, venue. Portions of the profits of each include James Carothers - Power Morgan has somehow found a new level concert go to help Community Acoustic on July 10, The Original Wailers and vocal range in the studio. On his Cooperative feed the community. For on July 24, Great White and Autograph forthcoming LP, his third with label home every pound of food donated, Sam on Aug. 14, L.A. Guns and Slaughter on Black River Entertainment, he’s making Galloway Ford donates $1 to Community Sept. 26 and Collie Buddz, Keznamdi the most relevant, authentic and moving Cooperative. Concert goers are also and 4th & Orange is set for Oct. 1. music of his career. It’s a point that encouraged to bring canned food items “When I’m Gone” drives home, as to the concerts at The Ranch.

Craig Morgan - Aug. 29 Morgan sings about living life with no For tickets & details, visit www.therThe multi-faceted Renaissance man regrets. anchfortmyers.com. The Ranch can be proves it on his upcoming new studio reached at 239-985-9839. For most conalbum, aptly titled A Whole Lot More To Easton Corbin - Sept. 19 certs, the doors open at 7 p.m. at The Me, a record that furthers Morgan’s repuWith two No. 1 singles, multiple Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 tation as one of the genre’s most comawards and nominations, plus performColonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. manding vocalists. ances on some of the biggest stages in While his singing on such hits as the the world, Easton Corbin has made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. He is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics and mastery of understatement.

His self-titled debut album released in 2010 and spawned back-to-back hits “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It;” making him the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first two consecutive singles reach No. 1. In 2012 the Gilchrist County Florida native released his sophomore album, All Over The Craig Morgan

Happenings Magazine

Easton Corbin

JULY 2020 - 21

FORT MYERS RIVER DISTRICT

June exhibits at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Artist Dharma Lefevre (at left) was part of the Rumors or Reality juried art exhibition at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in June. The center reopened June 5.

Best in show was awarded to artist Alexis Lago for “Razon inversa.�

22 - JULY 2020

Monika Bokelmann had a solo show in the Capital Gallery at the Davis Art Center in June.

Happenings Magazine

Free parking available downtown

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the River District Alliance (RDA) are working together to offer free parking to customers of downtown businesses.

The free parking program is valid on Mondays – Thursdays after 4 p.m. It began June 15 and is offered at the two city garages located at City of Palms Garage on 2118 Bay St. and the Main Street Garage on 2286 Main St. through Sept. 30.

Participating restaurants and retail shops will distribute parking vouchers to their customers that can be used any time after 4 p.m. Monday – Thursday.

Customers must request a voucher from participating merchants. Vouchers are good for one day only and may not be used on weekends or before 4 p.m.

“During this challenging time the CRA wanted to support downtown business owners with a parking program that would not only benefit businesses but our community as well,” says Michele Hylton-Terry CRA executive director.

“Almost all of the businesses in down-

Happenings Magazine

town are locally owned and operated, and are open for business …. by supporting them we are supporting our local economy and community. The city garages have ample parking and are accessible to all downtown businesses.”

For more information on the parking, restaurants and shops visit the RDA website at www.FortMyersRiverDistrictAlliance.com.

Burroughs Home & Gardens reopen

The Uncommon Friends Foundation announced the reopening of the Burroughs Home and Gardens effective June 22.

Historical tours are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The facility will be cleaned and disinfected daily using approved and effective antimicrobial solutions after each tour and high touch areas will be regularly cleaned throughout the day.

The event venue will be available Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a limited capacity of no more than 150 people.

To schedule home tours, garden and waterfront weddings, or hold events in our new outdoor pavilion, visit www.uncommonfriends.org or call 239-337-9503.

JULY 2020 - 23

FORT MYERS RIVER DISTRICT

Tom Breckenridge is one of several local artists featured at the Arts for ACT Gallery on First Street.

Arts for ACT Gallery

Arts for ACT Gallery held a retrospective exhibit in June that showcased the art of the late Joel Loeper. A new exhibit will open Friday, July 3.

24 - JULY 2020

Happenings Magazine

Aerobatic team to fly over Fort Myers July 4

Given the circumstances with COVID-19, the River District Alliance (RDA) Board of Directors has decided to celebrate July 4th a little differently this year – looking up.

The RDA is working with the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, who will be flying over the city of Fort Myers in their World War II aircrafts (times TBA). The flight plan as yet to be determined but will be flying throughout the city skies, including downtown Fort Myers. Your best seat can be in your own backyard or in one of many locally owned downtown restaurants.

For more than 30 years, the aerobatic team has amazed and thrilled audiences all over North America with their precision formation aerobatics. The planes, North American AT-6 Texans, nicknamed “the Pilot Maker, ” first appeared in 1938.

Originally designed as a basic trainer for the US Army Air Corps, the Texan was the primary training platform for all US airmen in WWII that went on to fly fighter aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, P-40 Warhawk and others.

Happenings Magazine

Throughout the weekend, restaurants, shops and galleries will be opened.

Restaurants will be offering All American foods for take out and dine in; unique shops will be offering specials and discounts; and the city streets will be filled with red, white and blue. Featured menu items and discounts will be listed on the RDA website www.fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com “Restaurants and shops have been hit hard during Covid-19,” says Lisa Sbuttoni, president & CEO of the RDA. “Downtown Fort Myers has the largest concentration of small business owners in Southwest Florida, these businesses are operated by locals - our friends and neighbors. The River District businesses want our community to continue to look up, be inspired and celebrate our community pride, strength and perseverance as we move forward.”

The River District Alliance is a non-profit organization committed to promoting and enhancing the development of historic Fort Myers as a hub economic, cultural and social activity.

JULY 2020 - 25

JULY CALENDAR WED - 1

Larry Wells The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 AURA The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

THU - 2

Paul Roush Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 8 p.m., 941-575-3007 Mercato Nights featuring N2L Trio Mercato, 9132 Strada Place, Naples 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., free tickets at Facebook or eventbrite.com www.mercatoshops.com Nette The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Manny T The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

FRI - 3

David Acevedo Introspection exhibit Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2301 First St., Fort Myers Opening from 6 - 10 p.m. On display through July 30. 239-333-1933 Chuck Peterson The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Mark Gorka Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 9 p.m., 941-575-3007 Cahlua and Cream The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 7 - 10 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com ACT Gallery exhibit opens Arts for ACT Gallery, 2265 First St., Fort Myers Art Poems group exhibit and co-op artists exhibit, 4 - 8 p.m.

239-337-5050 26 - JULY 2020

N2L Trio

N2L Trio will perform Thursday, July 2 at Mercato in Naples from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. N2L Trio features Cindy Frania (guitar and vocals), Dave Frania (guitar and vocals) and Melissa Stadler (vocals). To book the trio, call 239-826-5905 or visit online at www.n2ltrio.com Frida’s Flowers exhibit DAAS Co-Op Art Gallery & Gifts, 1815 Fowler St., unit 3, Fort Myers, Multiple mediums inspired by the iconic surrealist painter Frida Kalho, 6 - 9:30 p.m., 239-590-8645 Wicked Floromancy exhibit Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2301 First St., Fort Myers Featuring artists Pam Trent, Katie Vance and Catie Sibbald, opening from 6 - 10 p.m. On display through July 30. 239-333-1933 Mike Imbasciani and His Bluez Rockerz Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454

SAT - 4

Soulicide Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454 Live music in the Village Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda Celebrate the 4th with live miusic by Rita Beach, Skylark Duo and Ragady Lapsey noon - 4 p.m., Mark Gorka 5 - 9 p.m. 941-575-3007

City of Bonita Springs Drive-in Fireworks and Laser Light Show Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track, 10601 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs Gates open 8 p.m. for vehicles. show at 9 p.m. 239-949-6262 Steve Cipriano The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 North Port Freedom Fireworks 6205 W. Price Blvd., North Port Drive-in fireworks display by the City of North Port, gates open at 8 p.m. for vehicles at North Port High School, Heron Creek Middle School and Butler Park. Fireworks at 9 p.m. www.cityofnorthport.com

SUN - 5

Dan Meadows Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda noon - 4 p.m., 941-575-3007 Collaboration Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., 239-540-8454

TUE - 7

Pearl & Nicole DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326 Mark Gorka Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 8 p.m., 941-575-3007

WED - 8

Larry Wells The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 The Sound of Music Through Aug. 8 Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers 239-278-4422 Live on the Bravo Green with Peter Kolter Mercato, 9132 Strada Place, Naples 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. www.mercatoshops.com Captain Paulie Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 6 - 9 p.m., 239-540-8454

Happenings Magazine

Wendy Renee The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

The Old 41 Band The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 7 - 10 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

THU - 9

Half Step Down Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454

Mark Gorka Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 8 p.m., 941-575-3007 Nette The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Alan Small The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

FRI - 10

Chuck Peterson The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141

SAT - 11

Split Decision DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326 Tony Jackson The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, Doors open 7 p.m. 239-985-9839

James Carothers The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, Doors open 7 p.m. 239-985-9839

Steve Cipriano The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141

Dan Meadows Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 9 p.m., 941-575-3007

Deb & The Dynamics Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454

Happenings Magazine

Live music in the Village Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda Steel drums with John Latti noon - 4 p.m., Southbound Band 5 - 9 p.m.

941-575-3007

SUN - 12

Dan Meadows Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda noon - 4 p.m., 941-575-3007 Limited Edition Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., 239-540-8454 Blues and Bloodys Concert Series The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, noon - 7 p.m., Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones at 1 p.m., Albert Castiglia at 4:30 p.m., bring lawn chairs, www.thecenterbar.com

TUE - 14

Pearl & Nicole DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326

WED - 15

Larry Wells The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 August Zona The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com Captain Paulie Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 6 - 9 p.m., 239-540-8454

THU - 16

Paul Roush Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 8 p.m., 941-575-3007 Nette The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 New York Rhythm The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

JULY 2020 - 27

JULY CALENDAR THU - 16 continued

Third Thursday Wine Walk (formerly Alive After Five) Downtown Punta Gorda Every third Thursday the downtown merchants bring you live music, artists and demoing, food trucks, other entertainment through out downtown. 5 - 8 p.m.Purchase a bracelet for $10 to enjoy wine samples from merchants. Call the Chamber of Commerce for bracelets at 941-639-3720

Dazzling DelRays

FRI - 17

Red Clay Strays The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, Doors open 7 p.m. 239-985-9839 Paul Roush Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 9 p.m., 941-575-3007 80 Caliber Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454 Cahlua and Cream The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 7 - 10 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com Chuck Peterson The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141

SAT - 18

Joe Marino & All The King’s Men DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326 Live music at the Village Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda Tammy Renee noon - 4 p.m., Tiki Tom & Moni 5 - 9 p.m. 941-575-3007 Steve Cipriano The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Bad Latitude Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454

The Dazzling DelRays play the greatest hits from the ʻ50s, ʻ60s and ʻ70s. In July, catch them at Cape Cabaret in Cape Coral and Dogtooth in Naples. To book the Dazzling DelRays, call Jim Farese at 239-877-6889 or visit online at www.thedazzlingdelrays.com.

The Dazzling DelRays played DJʼs Rhythm House in Fort Myers on May 23. Pictured is vocalist Larry Farese.

SUN - 19

Paul Roush Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda noon - 4 p.m., 941-575-3007 Mike Imbasciani and His Bluez Rockers Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., 239-540-8454

TUE - 21

Pearl & Nicole DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326

WED - 22

Captain Paulie Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 6 - 9 p.m., 239-540-8454 Larry Wells The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141

28 - JULY 2020

AURA The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

THU - 23

Paul Roush Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 8 p.m., 941-575-3007 Nette The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Manny T The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com Gulf Coast Leisure: Art and Poetry Networking Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 8 p.m. www.gclmovement.com

FRI - 24

The Original Wailers The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, Doors open 7 p.m. 239-985-9839 Bite The Bullet Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454 The Owl & The Pussycat July 24 - 26 Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral 239-772-5862 The Old 41 Band The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 7 - 10 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com Sounds of Summer: Sheena Brook Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2301 First St., Fort Myers Doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.

Tickets at door only, 239-333-1933

Happenings Magazine

Chris G Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 9 p.m., 941-575-3007 Bat Boy: The Musical Through Aug. 2 Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St. Fort Myers Conservatory program.

239-332-4488 Chuck Peterson The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141

SAT - 25

Electric Lipstick DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326 Dillon Carmichael The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, Doors open 7 p.m. 239-985-9839 Relentless Fire Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454 Live music at the Village Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda Steel drums with John Latti noon - 4 p.m., Paul Roush 5 - 9 p.m.

941-575-3007 Steve Cipriano The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Spin Zone The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 7 - 10 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com

SUN - 26

WED - 29

Larry Wells The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Wendy Renee The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com Captain Paulie Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 6 - 9 p.m., 239-540-8454

THU - 30

Paul Roush Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 8 p.m., 941-575-3007 Nette The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Alan Small The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 6 - 9 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com The Addams Family July 30 – Aug. 8 Norris Center, 755 8th Ave S, Naples Gulfshore Playhouse will proceed with its STAR Academy production of The Addams Family, performed by students ages 13 to 18. www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org

FRI - 31

David Morin: Elvis & The Legends Through Aug. 2 Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral 239-772-5862

Chris G Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda noon - 4 p.m., 941-575-3007

Iconic Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 7 - 11 p.m., 239-540-8454

Top Shelf Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m., 239-540-8454

Tiki Tom & Moni Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 5 - 9 p.m., 941-575-3007

TUE - 28

Pearl & Nicole DJ’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, 6:30 p.m. 239-466-8326 Happenings Magazine

Chuck Peterson The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Fort Myers, 4 p.m., 239-995-2141 Spin Zone The Center Bar, The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 7 - 10 p.m., www.thecenterbar.com JULY 2020 - 29

DINING

IN

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

DJ’s Rhythm House

DJ’s Rhythm House is a restaurant and nightclub located in Fort Myers. At The Rhythm House, we strive to provide Great Service, Top Quality Food and Drinks as well as Live Entertainment. Featuring Excellent Food as well as well-known Local Talent! We offer live music weekly. We have the best hard wood dance floor and Sound Systems in the area! Come and relax. Listen to great music, enjoy an excellent dinner and a couple of drinks with your friends, neighbors or colleagues and experience the love of music for yourself. All bands start at 6:30 and conclude at 9:30 p.m. Reservations required for all shows.

16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers 239-466-8326 www.therhythmhousefortmyers.com

Ichiban Japanese & Chinese

Located at the entrance to the Hotel Indigo, we offer a wide selection of Japanese and Chinese menu items.

Stop by for lunch or dinner. They are open six days a week (closed Sundays).

1520 Broadway, #105, Downtown Fort Myers 239-334-6991 www.IchibanDowntownFortMyers.com

Pinchers

Located on the historic Caloosahatchee River and offering the best riverfront dining experience and sunset views, Pinchers at the Marina at Edison Ford is the place for the freshest seafood.

Caught from local waters by local fishermen, Pinchers brings the best catch from the water to the table. With 2 for 1 Happy Hour all day every day and kids eat free, Pinchers is Florida Seafood, Florida Style. Pinchers has 13 Florida locations including Key West, Tin City Naples, Bonita Springs, Tarpon Point Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Gulf Coast Town Center.

2360 West First St., Fort Myers 239-245-7049 www.pinchersusa.com

30 - JULY 2020

Southern Grill

We welcome you to our Southern Grill.

We have a full service restaurant, two outdoor dog friendly bars & several onsite party venues.

There is no entry fee to get into the Shell Factory store or restaurants. Parking is free.

While you're here, visit the Fun Park & Soaring Eagle Zipline or stroll through The Nature Park. Take advantage of our wonderful Florida weather & enjoy your favorite cold drink at our outdoor bar. You can chill out while listening to live music every day at the Shell Factory restaurants & bars.

2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers 239-995-3999 www.shellfactory.com

Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at Dolphin Key Resort

There's always something to do at the Tiki Hut Bar & Grill at the Dolphin Key Resort. Located in Downtown Cape Coral, the biggest Tiki bar in the world offers live entertainment Wednesday through Sunday, Key West Style Relax Wednesday and Thursday, Light outdoor atmosphere, so family, and friends two or four legged are welcome. Great food menu, with Florida Specials, pool table,TVs. Open 7 days. Kitchen open late.

1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral 239-540-8454 www.dolphinkeyresort.com

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