With season pretty much over, there’s plenty to do in Southwest Florida in May including concerts, plays, comedy and more.
What else is happening? Check out our monthly calendar and feel free to email dosborn@usatodayco.com if you’d like to add an event. Just submit it in the format shown in these events.
GENERAL EVENTS
National Mahjong Day: Community School of Naples students at 12:15 p.m. April 30 will join residents at The Carlisle Naples, an active retirement community, to celebrate National Mahjong Day. The event ― which unites three generations ― is part of an ongoing partnership between the school and The Carlisle Naples.
Pool Party: Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach will host a pool party 5-9 p.m. Thursday, April 30. The event is for guests 21 and older. Enjoy an evening of poolside fun, live music and sunset views at the Fins Up! Beach Club. Free admission with limited seating. Local musical act TC & the Troublemakers will perform live from 6 to 9 p.m., playing the soundtrack to the night while guests relax by the pool, sip cocktails and watch the sunset. qrco.de/fmbpoolparty.
Rookery Bay Community Day: Enjoy kayak demos, face painting, food trucks, a marine life touch tank and more from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Admission is free. 300 Tower Road, Naples. rookerybay.org.
Celebrate Mom at Corkscrew: Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary invites families to craft a bouquet of paper native wildflowers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Admission to the Sanctuary will include the supplies needed to color in paper flower outlines while learning about many of the species that bloom at the Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Road W. This fun-for-all-ages activity to create a one-of-a-kind, beautiful bouquet is included with admission and free for Sanctuary members. audubon.org
Opera Naples Spring Luncheon: Check out live opera performance by soprano Evelyn Saavedra while dining from a chef-designed menu, paired with a complimentary glass of wine. Wednesday, May 13, at noon. Tickets $110, with proceeds benefitting Opera Naples Education and Productions. Amber Cove, 885 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. operanaples.org
Ride of Silence: The Naples Pathways Coalition is partnering with Naples Velo to host an hour-long silent bike ride on May 20. The community is invited to join in honor and remembrance of cyclists who have been injured or killed while biking. Participants will meet at Cambier Park (755 8th Ave. S., Naples) at 6 p.m. Helmets required. Neon yellow shirts are encouraged for unity and visibility, and will also be available for a donation. It is free to participate, but donations are appreciated. naplespathways.org.
Florida Everblades: Southwest Florida’s local hockey team continues its season at Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Visit hertzarena.com for tickets and availability.
ART EXHIBITIONS
New Ways of Seeing: American Modernism from a Private Collection: See how artists utilized painting, drawing and printmaking in a way that broke away from traditional realism and shifted into a modern style. Now through July 12 at Naples Art Institute, 585 Park Street, Naples. Admission is $15 for non-members and is free for those under the age of 18. naplesart.org.
Nature’s Palette: This exhibition features works that reflect the Garden’s living collections and the surrounding environment. The pieces were made by members of the National Association of Women Artists Florida Chapter. Now through June 21 in Kapnick Hall at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Free with Garden admission. naplesgarden.org.
Art After Hours at The Baker Museum: On the last Wednesday of each month, guests can enjoy free admission to all museum exhibitions from 6-9 p.m. There will also be live music by local musicians and concessions at Heidi’s Place. May 27 at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. artisnaples.org or (239) 597-1900.
LIVE MUSIC
Brit Floyd: The Pink Floyd tribute band’s The Moon, the Wall, and Beyond Tour will perform at Hertz Arena at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Tickets start at $45 and arena parking is $30. 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. (239) 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
All That Jazz: Head to Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., 6 or 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, for the music of hard bop innovator Horace Silver who takes center stage in the final All That Jazz performance of the season. Silver blended soul, blues and gospel into jazz, creating tunes that were as danceable and joyful as they were deeply expressive. artisnaples.org
Ella Langley: The country singer will perform at Hertz Arena at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, as part of The Dandelion Tour. Tickets start at $46 and arena parking is $30. 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. (239) 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
Foghat and Nazareth: ’70s rock bands perform 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, 506 S. First St. Foghat ― whose hits have included “Slow Ride” and “Fool for the City” ― performs with Nazareth, whose big hit was “Hair of the Dog” in 1975. casinohardrock.com
“Weird Al” Yankovic: The comedy rock artist’s Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour will perform with special guest Puddles Pity Party at Hertz Arena at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Tickets start at $40 and arena parking is $30. 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. (239) 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
Shinedown: The band’s Dance, Kid, Dance Act II tour with special guests Coheed and Cambria, Black Stone Cherry, & DJ Rock Feed will perform at Hertz Arena at 7 p.m. Thursday. May 28. Tickets start at $60 and arena parking is $30. 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. (239) 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
Live @ The Cove: Rockin’ Pirate Palooza: Live music from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, May 30 in Paradise Coast Sports Complex. This includes a free live performance with food trucks, prize giveaways and special pirate-themed drinks available. The Cove Beer & Wine Bar, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. playparadisecoast.com
PLAYS
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”: Follow Carole King’s legendary music career as it plays out on the stage. Showing April 26-May 31 at Moran Mainstage, Baker Theatre and Education Center, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road S., Naples. Tickets start at $44. gulfshoreplayhouse.org.
“Much Ado About Nothing”: This timeless Shakespearean play consists of comedy, romance and some interesting twists. Showing May 6-24 at Kizzie Theater, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Mainstage tickets start at $58, but discounts are available for students, educators, military, veterans and first responders. (239) 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org
STANDUP COMEDY
Harland Williams: The comedian performs April 30-May 2 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $27 general admission, plus a fee. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, and 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.
Chris Andrade: The comedian performs in an all Spanish show May 2 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $35 general admission, plus a fee. 10 p.m. Saturday, May 2. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.
Zach Rushing: The comedian performs May 7-10 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $35 general admission, plus a fee. 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 8; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9; and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 10. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.
Erica Rhodes: The comedian performs May 15-17 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 15; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16; and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.
David Lucas: The comedian performs May 22-23 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, May 22; and 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.
Kennedy: The comedian performs May 29 and 30 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $50 general admission, plus a fee. 6 p.m. Friday, May 29, and 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.
ONGOING, KARAOKE, TRIVIA AND MORE
Jebry’s Jazz Jam: 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday at Dogtooth bar and restaurant, 5310 Shirley St., Naples. (239) 431-7004 or dogtoothnaples.com.
Karaoke: 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Sneaky Pete’s, 3465 Bonita Beach Road SW, No. 120, Bonita Springs. (239) 498-8887 or sneakypetesbonita.com.
Trivia: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays at Naples Flatbread of Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road suite 520, Estero. naplesflatbread.com
Special Experiences at the Wonder Gardens: Wild Wonders Animal Encounters and guided tours are available for an additional fee at 11:30 a.m. various days. Weekly Habitat Chats are free with paid admission every Thursday at 1 p.m. Topics vary. 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. wondergardens.org.
FARMERS MARKETS
Third Street South Farmers Market: 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays in the Neapolitan parking lot between Third Street South and Gordon Drive. Fresh produce, flowers, pastas, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods, jams, relishes, fresh-roasted coffee, more. Music, dog treats. thirdstreetsouth.com.
Immokalee State Farmers Market: Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily year-round at 424 New Market Road E., Immokalee. For more, call (239) 658-3505 or visit fdacs.gov.
Inyoni Organic Farm: This 6-acre all-organic farm offers online ordering with Saturday pickup on the farm. Learn more at facebook.com/inyoniorganicfarm.
Pine Ridge Road Farmers Market: Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays at 3370 Pine Ridge Road, North Naples. Find it on Facebook for more.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Empty Bowls: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Baker Senior Center Naples, 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. Empty Bowls is inspired by the beauty that surrounds us here in Florida. A coastal scene, elegant tropical botanicals, or let your imagination take the brush all for a creative evening that supports an amazing cause. $25 for BSCN members and $35 for non-members (must be 60-plus). Registration is required. (239) 325-4444.
Karaoke Night: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Baker Senior Center Naples, 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. Sing your heart out, cheer on friends and enjoy music together. No experience is required. This program free to BSCN members; $5 for non-members (must be 60-plus). Registration is required. (239) 325-4444.
Naples Philharmonic Concert: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at Baker Senior Center Naples, 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. The Naples Philharmonic was founded in 1982 and, in its first season, performed four concerts as a chamber orchestra. Since then, the ensemble has grown in scope, size and artistic impact and now performs more than 140 orchestral and chamber concerts. No charge for BSCN members and $5 for non-members (must be 60-plus). Registration is required. (239) 325-4444.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Dive into May with concerts, plays, comedy and more in Naples
Reporting by Dave Osborn and Hannah Holmes, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
