Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and next week, including the annual Florida Gulf Coast Tattoo Expo and a new singing competition at Sugarshack Downtown. Plus a look at what’s ahead in July.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. The Downtown Showdown at Sugarshack
The new Bonita Springs concert venue/restaurant hosts its first-ever singing competition. Southwest Florida singers will compete in front of live audiences for a $2,500 grand prize and more. A rotating panel of local celebrities serve as the judges. The competition kicks off at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, and then runs every Tuesday through Aug. 12. Two winners will advance each week, culminating in the Aug. 5 semi-finals and the Aug. 12 finals. Singers can submit their auditions online. Free admission. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 301-4321 or sugarshackdowntown.com
2. Florida Gulf Coast Tattoo Expo in downtown Fort Myers
The annual event returns with more than 200 tattoo artists tattooing on site, plus vendors, tattoo contests, live music and entertainment, food and more. Friday through Sunday, June 27-29. $20-$30 ($40-$45 for a weekend pass). Caloosa Sound Convention Center at Luminary Hotel & Co., 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers. floridagctattooexpo.com
3. Red, White & Booze pub crawl in Cape Coral
Ride limo buses to four designated areas in downtown Cape Coral and visit 11 different bars and restaurants for drink and appetizer samples in this 4th of July-themed crawl. Participants are encouraged to dress in patriotic attire. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, June 28. $20-30. Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, under the front entry awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation
4. Fort Myers Roller Derby home game
The Fort Myers roller-derby team takes on the Richmond, Virginia, River City Roller Derby in this home game that doubles as a fundraiser for local charities and organizations called SWFL Vendors for a Cause. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Doors open at 5 p.m. for pre-sale tickets, 5:30 p.m. for door sales. Tickets start at $10 in advance, $12 at the door ($5 for ages 5-10, free for younger). Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers. fortmyersrollerderby.com
5. Theatre Conspiracy’s ‘Funny: Power Plays’
Southwest Florida actors Frank Blocker and Melissa Hennig perform a collection of six short, comedic plays — some written by previous winners of Arts Bonita’s Stage It! 10-Minute Play Festival. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, with one 2 p.m. matinee Saturday. $30 (or $25 using the online code “funny”). Off Broadway Palm at the Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. theatreconspiracyfl.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
LOOKING AHEAD
Artists on autism spectrum featured in ‘Family Connections: An Inclusive Art Showcase’
Southwest Florida artist Brian Weaver of Artsemble Underground spent the last year working with about 30 students — all on the autism spectrum –— at local nonprofit Family Initiative’s Thrive Academy. The resulting art from the collaboration is now being shown at Davis Art Center. The exhibit includes four 8-foot-tall robots made from cardboard and recycled materials; “flying” papier-mâché birds, giant sculptures and more. “These kids have worked incredibly hard,” Weaver told The News-Press, “and the results are truly something special.” Opens Thursday, July 3, and continues through July 24. The gallery will be closed July 4. An artists reception will happen 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 11. Free admission, but donations are suggested. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Broadway Palm musical ‘Annie’
Leapin’ lizards! Everyone’s favorite orphan and her dog Sandy are back in Southwest Florida. The classic musical “Annie” is packed with memorable songs, too, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street” and “Tomorrow.” July 3-Aug. 9. $65-$85 ($45 for ages 12 and younger). Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
Red, White & Boom in Cape Coral
Country singer George Birge headlines Cape Coral’s Independence Day celebration, which also features fireworks at 9:30 p.m., food, vendors and more live musical acts. 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Free. Tickets for the VIP Boom Zone are $20-$40, including catered barbecue meal, drinks, a game area, prime viewing of the fireworks and air-conditioned restrooms. The outdoor event takes place in downtown Cape Coral at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge. The Cape Coral Bridge and Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will be closed from 3 a.m. Friday to about 3 a.m. Saturday. No pets or personal fireworks allowed. capeboom.com
Downtown Fort Myers 4th of July Celebration
Downtown Fort Myers’ July 4th party includes live music, a deejay and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. (weather permitting). The musical lineup starts with guitarist Tyler Shep at 6 p.m., followed by classic rock, blues and country from the Caloosa River Band at 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets. 6 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Free. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater and Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. myriverdistrict.com
Star Spangled Bonita
The annual Fourth of July festival features a 48-minute drone, fireworks and laser-light show. Star Spangled Bonita also includes food trucks, an ice-cream-eating contest and live country music by the Ben Allen Band. Starts at 6 p.m. Friday, July 4. The drone, fireworks and laser-light show starts at dusk. Free. Old 41 Road will be closed from 5 p.m. to about 10 p.m. from Wilson Street to Childers Street. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
Fort Myers Beach Fireworks and parade
Fort Myers Beach celebrates the holiday with a parade in the morning and a fireworks show and live music at night. The annual festivities start at 10 a.m. Friday, July 4, with the parade on Estero Boulevard. Colorful floats and other parade participants travel from Bay Oaks Recreation Center to Times Square. Estero Boulevard will be closed for the parade from 9 a.m. until noon. Later that night, The Guilty Pleasure Band performs at Bayside Park, followed by fireworks launched above Times Square at 9 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring beach chairs. The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed to inbound traffic from 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Times Square and Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368) or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow on social media on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Best things to do this weekend in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs: Concerts, tattoos and more
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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