Best things to do this weekend in Fort Myers: Randy Wayne White, SWFL SpaceCon
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including Doc Ford novelist Randy Wayne White, SWFL SpaceCon and a musical-theater parody of the movie "Alien."
Plus we look at what's ahead in the coming weeks: Juneteenth, the giant dinosaurs of Jurassic Quest and more.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected].
1. Doc Ford author Randy Wayne White visits Fort Myers
Southwest Florida novelist Randy Wayne White brings his ongoing book tour to Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. The New York Times bestselling novelist will meet fans and sign copies of his new Doc Ford crime thriller, "One Deadly Eye," at Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers (6 p.m. Thursday, June 6), Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille just off Fort Myers Beach (noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8) and Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel Island (noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 16). All events are free. For more information, visit docford.com/events.
Read more: Randy Wayne White survived Hurricane Ian. Now it's Doc Ford's turn in new book
2. SWFL SpaceCon in Cape Coral
The sci-fi and comic-book convention beams down to Cape Coral for the second year in a row. Expect celebrity guests, panel discussions, vendors, gaming tournaments and demos, cosplay and more. This year’s celebrities include classic TV animator Tom Cook ("Superfriends," "Scooby Doo," "Thundarr the Barbarian"), voice actor Cary Means (Frylock on "Aqua Teen Hunger Force") and semi-retired Hollywood stuntman Brett Heneise ("Star Trek Deep Space 9," "Star Trek Voyager," "JAG"). 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 8. $12 in advance, $15 at the door ($12 at the door for those in costume or in an official SWFL SpaceCon T-shirt). Free for kids younger than 12 with each paid adult admission, $5 for additional kids. German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. swflspacecon.com
3. White Collar Comedy Show at Arts Bonita
A teacher, a doctor and a lawyer walk into a theater. That could the set-up for a joke, but it's also the set-up for this comedy show featuring three professionals bringing the laughs to Bonita Springs. The lineup features Mike Rivera (aka "The Funniest Teacher in America"); lawyer Mark Christopher; and ear, nose and throat doctor Vien “ComicDoc” Phommachanh. Presented by Venturino’s Comedy Club. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13. $20-$30. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
4. Lab Theater's 'Alien: A Musical Parody'
Lab Theater returns with its latest summer movie spoof. This time, they're taking on the 1979 horror/sci-fi classic "Alien." The world-premiere comedy features songs such as “Why Mansplaining is For Your Own Good,” “Everyone Who’s Homophobic is Secretly Gay” and the tap-dancing showstopper “Sacrifice.” The show was written by Southwest Florida's Annette Trossbach and Earl Sparrow. June 7-29. $42. Half-price previews June 5-6. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
5. Fort Myers Art Walk
The monthly street event has been canceled, organizers announced Thursday. But new art exhibits are still scheduled to open at downtown Fort Myers galleries, including two shows at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center: The group show "Pollution Or Solution" and the solo show "Doomscroll" with painter Nick Masiello. 5-9p.m. Friday, June 7. Free. Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/fortmyersartwalk
MORE THINGS TO DO
Tony-winning musical 'Falsettos!'
The Belle Theatre celebrates Pride Month with the groundbreaking 'Falsettos!' The musical comedy tells the story of a charming, neurotic man who leaves his wife to be with his male lover during the early days of the AIDS crisis ― all while struggling to hold his family together. June 7-16. $15-$25. The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Suite 135, in The Towers at Santa Barbara shopping center, Cape Coral. 323-5533 or thebelletheatre.com
Dance Bochette’s Festival of Dance
Students from the Fort Myers dance school perform excerpts from the classic comedic ballet "Coppélia" at their annual show. The performance also includes a showcase of other dance forms, including contemporary, tap and jazz. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11. $46, including buffet dinner. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
High Lonesome Sound: Songwriter Round at The MACC
The ongoing concert series was inspired by similar intimate, collaborative singer-songwriter events in Nashville and Austin. This month's performers include Claire Liparulo (the series' creator and music director), Kelly Neff, Kristin Forbes and Katie Lyon. They'll play their original songs and join in with the other musicians by singing harmony or playing guitar. 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13. $25. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gcsarts.org
LOOKING AHEAD
'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' at Players Circle
Last chance to see this hit off-Broadway musical that promises to reveal "everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.” Now through Sunday, June 16. $35-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
'Dads & Dogs' Yappy Hour at Bell Tower
Mingle with dogs and dog lovers at this Father's Day-themed event with a deejay, photo ops and a matching “Papa and Pup” costume contest. The monthly event benefits Gulf Coast Humane Society. 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 14. Free. Bell Tower Shops, 13499 U.S. 41, south Fort Myers. 489-1221 or belltowerfl.com
Jurassic Quest: Giant dinosaurs invade Lee Civic Center
Jurassic Quest's giant animatronic dinosaurs are back for another visit. This touring show features life-sized, moving, roaring dinos. Plus dino rides, fossils, inflatables and more. Friday through Sunday, June 14-16. $22 for regular admission, $35 for kids admission and unlimited rides and activities (ages 2-10 only). Rides and activities cost extra. Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. jurassicquest.com
Juneteenth Community Festival at Clemente Park
Celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with vendors, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food trucks, bounce houses and more. 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 15. The 12th-annual festival is presented by the Dunbar Festival Committee, the Lee County Black History Society and The African Coalition of Southwest Florida. Free. Roberto Clemente Park, 3265 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers. leecountyblackhistorysociety.org/events
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected]. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Randy Wayne White, Art Walk: Things to do this weekend in Fort Myers
