JULY
Christmas in July
From 4 until 6 p.m., July 30, have yourself a merry little July and take part in the festivities! Dress in your favorite holiday look or compete in the ugly Christmas T-shirt contest. Cool down at the frozen hot chocolate bar and enjoy music and time with friends. Cost: $10 for BSCN members and $20 for non-members. Registration is required and you must be 60 or over. Call 239-325-4444. Baker Senior Center Naples is located at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane, Naples.
Marine Science Summer Camp
Area students entering grades seven through 10 can experience hands-on science this summer at Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s Marine Science Summer Camp. The flexible, half-day program is led by real marine biologists and set in Collier County’s coastal habitats. Held on Fridays in June and July, the camp runs from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at locations across the Reserve. Each session offers a unique theme. Students can choose their own adventure whether in the lab, on the beach or exploring upland habitats by bike.Campers will experience marine science in action such as holding live marine creatures, using microscopes to observe tiny plankton and surveying wildlife in the field. Cost is $75 per session. Register at rookerybay.org/events.
Campers dive into the microscopic world, using lab equipment to study plankton and discover the fascinating adaptations of invertebrates.
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.
‘America 250: From our roots to the future’ art exhibit
A group art show featuring patriotic work celebrating America’s 250th birthday and the country’s past, present and future. Now through July 30. Free with a suggested donation at the door. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com.
Shell Museum says ‘The Toll’s On Us!’
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium has launched a new “The Toll’s On Us!” promotion during June and July. It’s designed to help encourage residents of Lee and Collier counties to visit Sanibel and the museum; the org will provide $9 (the cost of the Causeway toll) off a party’s admission. The discount offer is valid June 1 through July 31. At time of purchase, one member of the party must show proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, lease agreement). The offer cannot be combined with other discounts. For more information, visit ShellMuseum.org.
Robert Rauschenberg art exhibit extended at FSW
Last chance to see “RAUSCHENBERG at 100: As Large As The World Is.” The art exhibit opened in January and closes Aug. 1. The show celebrates what would have been art icon Rauschenberg’s 100th birthday year with paintings and other work from local private collections. Rauschenberg lived on Captiva Island until his death in 2008. Now through Aug. 1. Free admission. Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway S.W., Building J, south Fort Myers. For more information: 489-9313 or rauschenberggallery.com.
‘Dancing Lesson’s at Broadway Palm
Theatre Conspiracy’s “Dancing Lessons,” heartfelt comedy-drama about a socially awkward professor learning to dance, a Broadway dancer recovering from an injury and how the two very different people learn to meet in the middle: Now through Aug. 2 at Off Broadway Palm at the Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $36 for one ticket, or two for $36 with BOGO deal. More at theatreconspiracyfl.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.
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.
AUGUST
‘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: MIA Student/S4TL Delegate Ava Richardson, Aug. 4; Meals of Hope, Founder/CEO Steve Popper, Aug. 11; 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.
CROW volunteer orientation set for Aug. 14
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.
Stage 2 Improv on Marco
The Marco Island Center for the Arts is bringing spontaneous comedy, audience interaction and nonstop laughter to the stage this summer with the return of Stage 2 Improv at Arts Center Theatre. The next performance will take place at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, at Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center, next to the Marco Brewery. Inspired by the hit television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Stage 2 Improv delivers a completely unscripted and unrehearsed comedy experience where audience suggestions inspire every game, scene, and song. No two performances are ever the same, making each show a one-of-a-kind evening of entertainment. Tickets are $20 per person and on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Arts Center Theatre box office at 239-784-1186 or by visiting marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre.
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.
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 Springs, Estero, Naples and Marco Island
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marco Eagle | USA TODAY Network
