MAY
Fringe Fort Myers
Comedians, magicians, storytellers and other acts perform on two stages over four days at the third-annual Fringe Fort Myers. Most performances are an hour or less. Fringe festivals are a worldwide phenomenon best-known for their experimental, underground and cutting-edge performers, but just about anything goes. Now through Sunday, June 1. Cost: $15 per show ($12 for Alliance members). There’s also a 5 p.m., “Flamingle with the Artists” reception and a 6:30 p.m. preview show Thursday, May 29. At the preview show, all nine acts get three minutes to “sell” their shows to the audience. $5 admission for the reception and preview show. Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., and Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: 939-2787 or artinlee.org/fringe.
Vic DiBetetto at Off The Hook
Comedian Vic DiBetetto performs May 30 through June 1 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. Cost: $38 general admission, plus a fee. At 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, May 30; 6 and 8 p.m., Saturday, May 31, and 6 p.m., Sunday, June 1. Information: offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901.
Broadway Palm: ‘Legally Blonde’
Based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie, this hit musical follows a sorority girl who gets dumped by her social-climbing boyfriend and follows him to Harvard Law School. Along the way, she makes new friends, discovers a part of herself she never knew existed and realizes there’s more to life than “Cosmopolitan” magazine and getting married. May 30-June 28. Cost: $65-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.
Fort Myers Roller Derby home game
The Fort Myers roller-derby team takes on Volusia’s Thunder City Roller Derby. Organizers say you can expect “hard hits, fancy footwork and fast-paced jams.” The event is also a fundraiser for Youth Haven, a Southwest Florida nonprofit that helps abused and neglected children. At 6 p.m. Saturday, May 31. 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. Information: fortmyersvsthundercity.brownpapertickets.com.
JUNE
All-Pokémon festival PokéKon
This touring Pokémon festival brings vendors, artists, panel discussions, voice actors and more to Fort Myers. The voice-actor lineup includes Jay Goede (the English-dubbed voice of Mewtwo in “Pokémon: The First Movie”). Other actors not yet announced. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Sunday, June 1. Cost: $20 admission (free for ages 10 and younger). DoubleTree by Hilton in Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers. Information: pokekon.com.
Drag Brunch Bingo
PRIDE Cape Coral’s 5th-annual Drag Brunch Bingo is Sunday, June 1, at Nice Guys Pizza, Cape Coral. Cost: $30 admission includes reserved seat, one brunch menu item and drag show. Bingo is $10 to play, $5 for extra cards. Two seatings/shows: 11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 2:15-3:30p.m. Information: tinyurl.com/9ntfn8hh.
Art @ City Hall: ‘Mother Nature’
The city of Marco Island is pleased to announce a new art display at City Hall featuring “Mother Nature” as the theme. Artists in the exhibit include Marziano Gizzi, JoAnn Brandau, Edwin Cohen, Karen Swanker, Joseph Parisi, Lynn Roberts, JoAnn Sanborn, Mary Pat Palombo, Lynn Nathanson, Judith Chinski, Robert Kenedi, Adorable Monique and Nancy Norman. A free Art Open House will take place at city hall at 4 p.m., June 5.
Theatre Conspiracy: ‘Eula Mae’s Beauty, Bait & Tackle’
Theatre Conspiracy kicks off its final season in Southwest Florida with this off-off-Broadway comedy set in Alabama. The owner of a bait-and-tackle shop and her new employee, a pageant coach, help Rita Mae Raspberry as she launches a new campaign to win the crown in the Miss Alabama Pageant. This will be Rita Mae’s seventh attempt. Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8. Cost: $38. Off Broadway Palm at the Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: theatreconspiracyfl.com.
Wyatt Easterling at ACMA
The former A&R chief for Atlantic Records went on to write songs for some of Nashville’s biggest stars, including Dierks Bentley (“Modern Day Drifter”), Joe Diffie (“Life’s So Funny”) and Neal McCoy (“This Time I’m Taking My Time”). He released his fifth album, “From Where I Stand,” in 2022. He performs at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 7. Robert Bidney opens. Cost: $15-$20. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: americanacma.org.
Summer camps at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering several summer camp options for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Camps are educational and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math and incorporate activities. Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn. Summer camp is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily and start on June 9. For registration and additional information, visit edisonford.org.
Watercolors & Wildlife: Painting with Jan
Paint the beauty of coastal living and the wildlife of estuary waters in this watercolor painting class. Local artist Jan Deswik offers simple step-by-step instructions and creative support perfect for beginners or anyone inspired by the coastal environment and wants to bring it to life in a one-of-a-kind painting. Each class spotlights a natural theme from shells to birdlife to local waterways. Held in classrooms at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, all materials are included. Participants will complete a painted piece with matte at each session. June 10: “Fish on Display” from 12:30 until 3 p.m.; July 8: “Manatees” from 12:30 until 3 p.m. at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Cost: $85. Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
Jazz singer/pianist Danny Sinoff performs with Stardust Memories Big Band
Popular Southwest Florida jazz singer/pianist Danny Sinoff takes the stage with Stardust Memories Big Band for a night of timeless hits. He’ll sing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “This Could Be the Start of Something Big,” “Luck Be a Lady” and more. Stardust will also perform “Little Brown Jug,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy” and other big-band favorites. At 7 p.m., Thursday, June 12. Cost: $50. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community, 17281 On Par Blvd., south Fort Myers. Information: 415-5667 or tribbyartscenter.com.
Florida Rep’s ‘‘Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3’
Marie Christina stars as the feisty, irreverent nun Sister in this third interactive show in the “Late Nite Catechism” series. She’ll school her catechism class – the audience at Florida Rep − on the Sacraments of Marriage, the Last Rites and her own wacky version of “The Newlywed Game.” June 12-July 3. Cost: $67. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. Information: 332-4488 or floridarep.org.
Fiddler on the Roof Jr
Fiddler on the Roof JR. follows Tevye the milkman as he tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing world. Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to marry off his daughters and instill in them a sense of tradition in the face of growing anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia. Performances are 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, June 13-21; 2 p.m., Sunday, Jun e15and Saturday, June 21. At the Performing Arts Center, Hinman Auditorium, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Information: artsbonita.org.
‘Behind the Scenes of the Reserve’
Explore the Reserve and the wildlife that calls it home. See where Rookery Bay’s research takes place, learn about the work being done to monitor the coastal habitat and complete a scientific study. At Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples, June 13 and Aug. 1. More at rookerybay.org.
‘Drawing from Music’
Taught by Anthe Capitan-Valais, an award-winning visual artist, this workshop offers an engaging multimedia art experience for all ages as well as for families to do together. “Drawing from Music” brings the joy of art to the Rookery Bay community and teaches participants how to create expressive pieces of art inspired by music. The experience is designed to be dynamic and interactive, merging music, mind, body and art. June 17 and July 15 at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. For ages 10-plus (children must be accompanied by an adult). Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
‘Zachary Bartholomew: The Blue Note Sound’
Horace Silver’s ensembles, compositions and piano playing defined one of the most musically-rich periods of jazz: Hard Bop. Silver’s music takes the fiery virtuosity of bebop, the soulful feeling of the blues and combines it with sophisticated (and catchy) arrangements and compositions. This concert celebrates the music of Silver’s benchmark album Horace-Scope with an all-star band assembled by Resident Artist Dr. Zachary Bartholomew who will be playing the role of Horace Silver in this energetic, swinging and blues-tinged show. At 7:30 p.m., June 19, at the Performing Arts Center, Moe Auditorium, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Tickets: $48 Tier 1, $43 Tier 2 and $38 Tier 3. Information: artsbonita.org.
‘Biology on Bike’
Explore the Uplands on Bicycle; learn to identify plants and animals and how scientific data is collected at the Reserve. At Shell Island Road Field Station, 10 Shell Island Road, Naples, June 20 and July 25. More at rookerybay.org.
Essentials of Digital Photography Workshop
If you want to get the best pictures possible and a true understanding of your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students. No previous camera or photography experience is necessary, just a desire to learn. From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., June 21 and July 19 at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Cost: $55. Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
‘Sweeney Todd’ at The Naples Players
The Naples Players announce the opening of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical, running from June 25 through July 27, 2025, at the Kizzie Theater. Tickets are available online at NaplesPlayers.org or by calling the TNP Box Office at 239-263-7990. Prices range from $50-$55. Shows run Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Information: NaplesPlayers.org or 239-263-7990.
‘Sleuthing the Lagoon’
Ever wonder what it’s like to be an animal living in an estuary? Experience their unique habitat by surveying fish with an ancient method of collection, scooping crabs and worms out of sand and observing birds wading through water. At Tigertail Beach, 430 Hernando Dr., Marco Island, June 27 and July 11. More at rookerybay.org.
Naples Botanical Garden’s Tasting the Tropics
The Naples Botanical Garden’s annual Tasting the Tropics fruit festival is from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29. Visitors will be able to sample tropical fruits from around the world, discover fruiting plants grown in the garden, watch live demonstrations and take a fruit-themed tour. The Naples Daily News is joining the festival this year along with award-winning author ― and former JLB restaurant critic and food writer Annabelle Tometich. Tometich is the author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony.” Tometich will be at the Naples Daily News booth from 10 until 11 a.m., Saturday, June 28. Naples Botanical Garden is located at 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Tasting the Tropics is included with Naples Botanical Garden admission; free for Garden members. The garden will also be offering tropical fruit tours. Those are $10 for Garden members and $15 for non-members.
ONGOING
Cultural Park Theater’s ‘When Bullfrogs Sing Opera’
In this sweet comedy, a social-climbing sister who tries to keep her visiting, country sister from embarrassing her with her new society friends. Now through Sunday, June 1. Cost: $26. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Information: 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com.
‘Culture Shock!’ exhibit at Arts Bonita
This group art exhibit features works inspired by movies, TV, music and other pop culture. The artists offer their take on cartoons, famous movie scenes, legendary musicians and lots more. On display now through June 5. Free. Hinman Gallery-in-the-Round at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Information: 495-8989 or artsbonita.org.
Exhibit explores Marco Island’s home history
A new Marco Island Historical Society exhibit, “The Florida House,” takes a trip back in time, marking and celebrating the 60th anniversary of modern Marco and the construction of the island’s first model homes. Exhibit runs through June 7. Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and the site is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors.
‘Escape to Margaritaville’
Jimmy Buffett jukebox musical “Escape to Margaritaville.” May 22-June 8 at Fort Myers Theatre, Fort Myers. $27-$43. Information: ftmyerstheatre.com.
‘Vanities: A New Musical’
“Vanities: A New Musical,” musical comedy about three bubbly Texas teens on their journey from cheerleaders to sorority sisters to housewives: Now through June 8 at Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers. Cost: $35-$55. Information: playerscircletheater.com.
‘STEMsational’ summer camps
IMAG History & Science Center will offer “STEMsational” summer camps, over 10 weeks from June 9 through Aug. 8, in Fort Myers and Estero. The camps “bring inspiration to life” with science, technology, engineering, math and art. There will be museum explorations, interactive science shows and experiments, live animal encounters, touch tanks and 3D movies. For more information or to register for camp, visit theIMAG.org.
Art of the Americas on Marco Island
Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas (MoCAA) in Miami hosts a premier exhibition of 15 contemporary artists from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The exhibit runs through July 1 at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive. marcoislandart.org.
South American Trail at Naples Zoo
Head to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens to discover the South American Trail, featuring many new species, including two new residents: Izel, a young capybara, and Manu, a toco toucan at the Naples Zoo. The trail runs through July 31. Information: napleszoo.org.
‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ at Rookery Bay
Friends of Rookery Bay and the art program at Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting “Wildlife and Wild Places in SWFL,” a collaborative art exhibition. Students created the original photographs and sculptures. These artists were enrolled in the history of photography course by Professor Hannah Harley or sculpture course by Professor Steve Hughart. It will be on display until Aug. 1 at The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Admission to the reception is complimentary but registration requested at rookerybay.org/events. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, with admission of $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-12). Learn more at rookerybay.org or call 239-530-5972.
Civil Air Patrol
Meeting times and website have changed. 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. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and 3 and under are free. Information: RookeryBay.org.
Rookery Bay Eco Kayak & Boat Tours
Join us for a guided boat tour or kayak adventure into the beautiful waters of Rookery Bay Research Reserve. With our kayak tours, paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphins and manatees! Boat tours are small 6-passenger boats and offer a comfortable and informative ride. Guests can choose from different tours including a shelling trip to a deserted barrier island or a sunset tour. Find out more at RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
JULY
An evening of comedy on Marco Island
The Marco Island Center for the Arts recently announced an evening of comedy as part of the Venturino’s Comedy Series at the Arts Center Theatre. At 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18, the spotlight will shine on “two titans of sketch and improv” in a one-night-only show – Kevin McDonald and Gregory Hollimon. For tickets, visit marcoislandart.org or call the box office at 239-784-1186.
Encore series
“Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End” – A comedic and touching portrayal of the iconic humorist Erma Bombeck, at 7:30 p.m., July 24 and 25 and 3 p.m., July 26 and 27. Peter Fogel returns with “Til Death Do Us Part … You First” at 2 and 6 p.m., Aug. 6. “The Swingset” by Krystyn Estes will return for a limited engagement Aug. 28 and 29. Tickets are available now through the Marco Island Center for the Arts website marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre/ or by calling the box office at 239-784-1186.
AUGUST
Stage 2 Improv
Stage 2 Improv, the Naples-based group, returns for three performances. Shows will be June 28, Aug. 2 and Sept. 20. At the Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Arts Center Theatre. More at marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221.
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 Springs, Estero, Marco Island and Naples
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
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