Looking for entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including SWFL Peace Day, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox and the first show of Florida Rep’s 25th anniversary season.
Got something interesting coming up next weekend or later? Email me the details at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. Florida Rep opens 25th season with Billie Holiday musical
Florida Rep opens its landmark 25th season with the musical “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” a biographical look at the life and music of jazz legend Billie Holiday. September 23-October. 30. Tickets start at $63. ArtStage Studio Theater at Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
Downtown: Fort Myers Water Taxi adds a downtown stop and a second boat on the way
2. Gary LeVox from Rascal Flatts
The country singer closes the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest with a pool party concert. 5 pm Sunday, September 25. $49. Island Hopper features songwriters playing September 16-25 on Captiva Island, Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. LeVox performs at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, 275 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com
‘American Idol’: Teen classic rocker Casey Bishop goes pop-rock on new EP
Concert News: STYX opens Mann Hall in Fort Myers in January, with tickets on sale this week
3. SWFL Peace Day
The 15th annual festival promotes the ideas of peace, love and unity in Southwest Florida. Part of the International Day of Peace. This year’s Day of Peace features meditation, yoga, massages, live music and entertainment, deejays, food trucks, vendors, a dog park, food drives, live sirens, a blood drive, face painting , bounce houses, rides, a butterfly tent. and more From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 25. Free. Wa-Ke-Hatchee Park, 16760 Bass Road, South Fort Myers. facebook.com/peacedayinthepark
4. SWFL SteamCon
The annual convention features local steampunk and fantasy themed authors and artists, vendors, cosplayers, musicians, storytelling, splendid teapot races and more, all at a new location in Cape Coral. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume. Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $10. One free admission with each paying adult for ages 11 and under, $5 for additional children. German American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. swflsteamcon.com or facebook.com/swflsteamcon
5. Jimmie “JJ” Walker
The “Good Times” star is back with more stand-up comedy. From Thursday to Saturday, from September 29 to October. 1. $16 general admission, $21 for VIP seating. Snappers Laugh In Comedy Café, 8595 College Parkway, Unit 270, South Fort Myers. 479-5233 or laughincomedycafe.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
DiverseCity Festival: Fort Myers’ new festival celebrates diversity with live entertainment, artisans, vendors and food trucks. The musical lineup includes Trinidadian soca singer Nailah Blackman and Jamaican reggae singer Ky-enie. 1-9 p.m. Saturday, September 24. Free entrance. $100 for VIP. Caloosa Sound Convention Center at the Luminary Hotel & Co., 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers. diversecityftmyers.com
Jon Shain, winner of the Blues Challenge: The fiery singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist won the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis (solo/duo category). His music combines blues with bluegrass, swing and ragtime. Mike McMillan opens. 7 pm Saturday, September 24. $18. American Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americancma.org
LOOKING FORWARD
“Broadway Palm Thru the Decades”: Last chance to see this musical with three decades of numbers from past dinner theater productions, including songs from “Me and My Girl,” “42nd Street,” “The King and I,” “Miss Saigon,” “Cats” and month. From now until Saturday October 1. $50-$75. Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
“School of Rock”: Last chance to see this musical about an aspiring rock star who poses as a substitute teacher and turns her students into a rock band. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Glenn Slater. Now until Sunday, October 2. $26. Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com
“Driving Miss Daisy”: Theater comes to the Tribby Arts Center for the first time with Florida Rep’s production of Alfred Uhry’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The story follows the growing friendship between an older, sharp-tongued white woman and the thoughtful black man who hires to carry her. Friday and Saturday, September 30 to October. 1. $55. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community, 17281 On Par Blvd., south of Fort Myers. 415-5667 or TribbyArtsCenter.com
Trip Tribute: The five members of the energetic Journey Odyssey Road cover band sing the classic rock group’s many hits, from “Separate Ways” to “Don’t Stop Believin’.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1. $43-$57. Bonita Springs Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org
Sonic Masquerade by LYR: Love Your Rebellion (LYR) hosts this fundraising concert featuring local bands and musicians playing full-length covers of their favorite music artists. The event is a fundraiser for LYR’s arts programming. 9.00 p.m. Saturday, October 1. $5. Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral. 549-7542 or facebook.com/NiceGuysPizza
Cape Coral Bike Night: Motorcycles return to downtown Cape for this popular event featuring live music, vendors, beer, food and more. October’s music lineup features Southwest Florida rock acts Smokin’ Aces and Maiden Cane. 5-10 p.m. Saturday, October 8. Free. Southeast 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. ccbikenight.com
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
