AUGUST
Rene Vaca at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 14-15 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $29 general admission, plus a fee. At 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14; and 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
‘An Evening with Jim Lauderdale’ at Arts Bonita
A two-time Grammy Award-winning Americana and country singer-songwriter, Jim Lauderdale bridges country, bluegrass, folk and roots music. Known as one of Americana’s most steadfast champions, he has released dozens of albums and built a career defined by sharp songwriting, classic country craftsmanship, and collaborations across generations of American music. His songs have been recorded by George Strait, Patty Loveless, The Chicks, Blake Shelton, Vince Gill, Elvis Costello, and many others. At 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14 at the Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. For tickets and information, artsbonita.org.
CROW volunteer orientation
Whether it’s supporting wildlife rescue efforts, assisting with educational programs, or helping visitors find the perfect wildlife-themed gift, volunteers at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife make a meaningful impact. The wildlife hospital and education nonprofit will hold its next volunteer orientation from 3 until 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Orientation is required for all volunteers and includes an overview of CROW, available volunteer roles, and a tour of the Wildlife Hospital. CROW is located at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road on Sanibel Island. For more information, call 239-472-3644 ext. 229 or visit https://crowclinic.org/get-involved/volunteer.
‘Wake Up’ with Rotary speaker series continues
Marco Island Sunrise Rotary has slated a “Wake Up” speaker series. Each Tuesday morning, the club invites the community to Wake Up to Rotary with an “engaging, informative and inspiring speaker.” Speakers scheduled for August are: Mosquito Commissioner Ed Brandt, Aug. 18; FC Naples’ Chris Johnson, Aug. 25. Meetings begin at 7:15 a.m. at Stonewalls Restaurant, 551 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island. For more information, contact Bill Morris, 247 N. Collier Blvd., Suite 202, Marco Island; or via email at wgm@wgmorrislaw.com or call 239-642-6020. You can also visit the Sunrise Rotary website, marcosunriserotary.com.
Films Al Fresco
Enjoy an outdoor movie at Mercato’s Piazza on the third Tuesday of every month. This month’s movie at 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, is “The Secret Life of Pets 2.” Free admission. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. 9110 Strada Place, Naples. experiencemercato.com.
Orchid cares
The Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance club holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. They meet from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Naples Conference Center, 1455 Pine Ridge Road. The Aug. 20 meeting will feature Thanh Nguyen, owner of Springwater Orchids in Melbourne, discussing orchid care and selling plants he has grown. For more information, visit GulfCoastOrchids.org or text 239-269-6389.
‘Beyond the Mirror’ on Marco Island
The Marco Island Center for the Arts is inviting the community to experience the transformative power of creativity with “Beyond the Mirror,” a new creative wellness experience led by Melissa C. Phillips, MSW, registered clinical social work intern and founder of Gulf Coast Integrative Counseling. Taking place from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20, this 90-minute workshop offers participants an opportunity to explore identity, resilience, and personal growth through the creation of a mixed-media self-portrait. Class size is intentionally limited to just 10 participants, creating a supportive and engaging environment for meaningful reflection. No artistic experience is necessary — only curiosity and a willingness to create. For more information or to register a limited number of 10 tickets will are available at $60 per person, contact the Marco Island Center for the Arts at 239-394-4221 or visit marcoislandart.org.
HUGS in Concert
From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Aug. 20, at Baker Senior Center Naples (BSCN), 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. Get ready to smile, tap your toes and enjoy the cheerful sounds of HUGS in concert. Featuring the talented sounds of ukeleles, this group brings energy, personality and familiar favorites for a fun and memorable musical experience. This program is free for BSCN members; $5 for non-members (must be 60-plus). Registration is required. Call 239-325-4444.
Ed Bassmaster at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 20-23 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22; and 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
Lab Theater’s ‘Waiting for Godot’
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winrter starred in the recent Broadway revival of Godot’s absurd, haunting and darkly funny masterpiece. Now Lab Theater is opening its 2026-27 season with its own version of the famous “Waiting for Godot.” The story takes place on an empty road by a barren tree, where two men talk and philosophize as they wait for a mysterious person named Godot to arrive. Aug. 21-Sept. 6. $27.49 ($11.74 for students). The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 291-2905 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
‘Happy Hour of Hope’
Meals of Hope will have a “Happy Hour of Hope” from 4-6 p.m., Aug. 25, at Mango’s Dockside Restaurant, 760 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island. The event raises funds for the annual food packaging event on Nov. 14 to help feed those in need. For a $20 donation there will be complimentary appetizers and music. More at mohmi.org.
Funny Marco at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 28-29 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission, plus a fee. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28; and 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
Songwriters 4 Vets concert
Nashville songwriters help raise money for military veterans through the Songwriters for Vets foundation Saturday, Aug. 29 from 7-10:30 p.m. Performers include Patrick Davis, Eric Paslay, Tim Nichols and Tyler Reeve for $125 general admission seats. VIP packages are also available. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. More at songwriters4vets.com.
Waterlily Weekend
Celebrate Naples Botanical Garden’s growing collection of waterlilies with nearly 300 diverse specimens on display. Join for tours, demonstrations, and more from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Aug. 29-30. The event is included with regular admission to the gardens. Kids 17 and younger enjoy free admission for the summer. 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Information: naplesgarden.org.
ONGOING
Live Music Thursdays
Live music starting at 6 p.m., every Thursday, at CJ’s on the Bay, in the Esplanade Shoppes, 740 N Collier Blvd., Unit 105, Marco Island. Call 239-389-4511 or visit cjsonthebay.com.
Downtown Showdown
In the second-annual competition, Southwest Florida singers compete in front of live audiences for a $2,500 grand prize and more. 8 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 18. Free. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 301-4321 or sugarshackdowntown.com.
World War II ‘Caught on Film’
The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center offers a behind-the-scenes look at World War II in its upcoming exhibition “Caught on Film: The Wartime Photography of Ken Regele and the U.S. Army Signal Corps.” The exhibition showcases a selection of donated World War II photographs taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corp photographers. The photographs are part of the Museum’s Ken Regele Collection and document the war from the Allied D-Day invasion through to the liberation of concentration camps by United States Army divisions. The exhibition will be on display at the Museum throughout the summer. The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center is located at 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd, Suite 108, Naples. For operating hours or more insight into the exhibit, visit hmcec.org.
‘Historias del aire y del suelo’ (‘Stories of Air and Soi’l)
See “Trópico-Sub-Trópico” (“Tropical-Suptropical”) and “Bromelias en serio” (“Seriously Bromeliads”), two bodies of work by Puerto Rican artist Pseudomero. On display July 11-Oct. 25 in Kapnick Hall at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Free with Garden admission. naplesgarden.org.
Art Exhibit – ‘Through the Light of the Estuary’
Now through Oct. 29 – The art gallery hosts several exhibitions each year. A partnership with the United Arts Collier brings annual exhibitions of painting, photography and mixed media by artists from Collier and Lee County. The exhibits are juried by local art experts and follow Rookery Bay’s environmental mission with a central theme of plants, waters and wildlife of Southwest Florida. Most works are available for purchase. Free with admission. For more information, visit RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
‘Underwater World’ exhibit on Marco
The Marco Island Historical Society presents “Underwater World: The Beauty Beneath,” an exhibit featuring oil paintings by Inez Hudson. The exhibit will be at the Marco Island Historical Museum through Oct. 31. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free and the site is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors. For more information, call 239-389-6447 or visit themihs.org.
Live music at Dogtooth, Sneaky Pete’s
Live music is available at various venues throughout the week, including Jebry’s Jazz Jam from 6-9 p.m. every Monday at Dogtooth bar and restaurant, 5310 Shirley St., in Naples. Karaoke is from 7-10 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays, at Sneaky Pete’s, 3465 Bonita Beach Road SW, No. 120, Bonita Springs. Trivia is from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mondays at Naples, Flatbread of Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 520, in Estero.
Civil Air Patrol
Marco Civil Air Patrol meets the first and third Mondays of every month, starting at 6:30 p.m., at 2003 Mainsail Drive, Marco Executive Airport, in our hangar, on the left of the terminal. Volunteers welcome. Visit FL376.CAP.GOV.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is located at 300 Tower Rd., Naples. It features aquariums, touch tanks with marine critters, natural history, environmental and wildlife exhibits, an art gallery, picnic area, guided walking trails, butterfly garden and a scenic overlook bridge. Special events and activities for all ages are held year-round including watercolor and photography classes, gallery nights, presentations about wildlife and conservation, birding field trips, marine science camps and more. The hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults,$5 for children ages 4-12 and 3 and under are free.
Rookery Bay Eco Kayak & Boat Tours
Rookery Bay Research Reserve also offers guided boat tours or kayak adventures into the tranquil waters of Rookery Bay Reserve. Guests can choose from a variety of tours including shelling trips to deserted white sand islands, sunset tours or bird rookery excursions. Visit RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
SEPTEMBER
Shell Museum presents free summer lecture series
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium will have a lecture series this summer and fall, which will be offered live via Zoom and is free for registrants. The classes include:
Although free of charge, pre-registration for lectures is required. To register, visit ShellMuseum.org/learn-and-experience/lectures. For more information, visit ShellMuseum.org or call 239-395-2233.
Orchid Auction
The Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance club holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. They meet from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Naples Conference Center, 1455 Pine Ridge Road. The Sept. 17 meeting is the club’s annual Orchid Auction filled with everything from seedlings of new hybrids to large specimen plants, with an emphasis on the rare opportunity to own plants no longer available for sale from stores and orchid nurseries. For more information, visit GulfCoastOrchids.org or text 239-269-6389.
OCTOBER
Orchid expert
The Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance club holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. They meet from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Naples Conference Center, 1455 Pine Ridge Road. The Oct. 15 meeting will be led by award-winning amateur orchid hobbyist and Catasetums expert Mark Margolis. For more information, visit GulfCoastOrchids.org or text 239-269-6389.
For more event listings, navigate to the Entertainment section and click on the SWFLA To Do List at marconews.com or visit the-banner.com. Calendar items must be emailed to mail@marconews.com or news@naplesnews.com and should be submitted at least a week before desired publication.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: SWFLA To Do List: Events in Bonita, Estero, Naples and Marco Island
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marco Eagle | USA TODAY Network
