Best things to do this weekend in SW FL: Fort Myers Art Walk returns with cosplay show
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including bluesman Albert Castiglia and the return of Fort Myers Art Walk.
We're also including 4th of July events happening this Thursday in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach. For more things to do, check out our list of all the biggest Independence Day events happening all over Southwest Florida.
Plus we look at what's ahead in the coming weeks: A John Lennon tribute show, MangoMania and more.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected].
1. Fort Myers Art Walk returns to downtown
Organizers canceled last month's Art Walk due to high traffic from the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure, but they say the flow of traffic has improved since then. That's why they're bringing back Art Walk for July. The monthly street event features new art exhibits at downtown Fort Myers galleries, receptions and art vendors outside on First Street. This month's exhibits include "The Art of Cosplay" at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. The group exhibit showcases "wearable art pieces" created by Southwest Florida artists. 9 p.m. Friday, July 5. Free. Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/fortmyersartwalk
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2. Florida Rep's 'Late Nite Catechism'
Last chance to see this interactive one-woman comedy starring a nun named Sister. She teaches the audience about Latin mass, meatless Fridays and the pain of an old-fashioned ruler across the knuckle. The Florida Rep audience doubles as students in her adult catechism class. Denise Fennell stars in the show. Now through Sunday, July 7. $65. ArtStage Studio Theatre at Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
3. Blues Music Award-winner Albert Castiglia at Arts Bonita
South Florida bluesman Albert Castiglia plays what he calls “red-raw, sweat-and-hair blues that gives it to you straight.” He won two 2023 Blues Music Awards: Blues Rock Artist of the Year and Blues Rock Album of the Year (for 2022’s “I Got Love”). 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 5. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
4. Classic musical 'Mary Poppins' at Broadway Palm
The magical flying nanny returns to Broadway Palm. The stage version of the movie classic is filled with cherished songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Now through Aug. 10. $25-$80. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
5. Jazzman Danny Sinoff returns to Players Circle
Popular Southwest Florida jazz singer/pianist Danny Sinoff returns to Players Circle Theater. He'll play Friday through Sunday, July 5-7, with a completely different set each night: Frank Sinatra (Friday), Bobby Darin (Saturday) and then Gershwin, Kern & Porter (Sunday). 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
Red, White & Boom with Parmalee
Country stars Parmalee headline Cape Coral's annual Independence Day celebration, which also features fireworks at 9:30 p.m., food, vendors and more live bands. 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The outdoor event takes place in downtown Cape Coral near the Cape Coral Bridge. The Cape Coral Bridge and Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge will be closed from 3 a.m. Thursday to 3 a.m. Friday. capeboom.com
More 4th of July events: Best places for fireworks, parades, parties in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita
Star Spangled Bonita
The annual Fourth of July festival features a 48-minute drone, fireworks and a laser-light show. The drone show is new this year as part of the city's ongoing 25th-anniversary celebrations. Star Spangled Bonita also includes food, an ice-cream-eating contest and live country music by the Ben Allen Band. 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4. The drone, fireworks and laser-light show starts at dusk. Free. Old 41 Road will be closed from 5 p.m. to about 10 p.m. from Wilson Street to Childers Street. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
Fort Myers Beach Fireworks and parade
Fort Myers Beach brings back its Independence Day fireworks and parade for the first time since Hurricane Ian. The annual festivities start at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, with the parade on Estero Boulevard. Colorful floats and other parade participants travel from Bay Oaks Recreation Center to Times Square. Estero Boulevard will be closed for the parade from 9 a.m. until noon. Later that night, fireworks will be launched at Times Square at 9 p.m. Thursday. Spectators are encouraged to bring beach chairs. The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to about 11 p.m. Participants are encouraged to take the Beach Trolley to Fort Myers Beach, since parking will be limited. For more information on the trolley, visit fortmyersbeach.org/trolleyinfo. Times Square and Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration
Downtown Fort Myers 4th of July Celebration
Downtown Fort Myers annual Freedom Fest block party has been transformed into a new concert and fireworks event saluting Southwest Florida's veterans and active military. The 17-piece Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra performs patriotic hits at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 4, followed by fireworks over the Caloosahatchee River at about 9:45 p.m. Free. VIP tickets will also be sold (details to be announced). Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. Edwards Drive will be closed for the event between Monroe and Hendry streets. explorefortmyers.com
LOOKING AHEAD
John Lennon tribute show at Players Circle
Randy Noojin stars as The Beatles' John Lennon in the one-man tribute show "A Man of the Decade – An Evening with John Lennon." The show takes place in 1969 as the controversial rock star is about to accept a prestigious award. The one-hour show features about 20 songs, mostly ones written by Lennon. Noojin has acted in regional theaters, Off- and Off-Off Broadway and in film and television. His acclaimed play "Unbeatable Harold" was turned into a movie starring Dylan McDermott and Charles Durning. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, July 12-14. $25. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
Blues singer/guitarist King Solomon Hicks at Arts Bonita
New York City's King Solomon Hicks won the 2021 Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. In addition to blues, his music also delves into jazz, gospel, R&B, funk and rock. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
MangoMania Tropical Fruit Fair on Pine Island
The annual festival celebrates Pine Island’s mango season with games, contests, live music, vendors, kids activities, educational seminars and lots of food and drinks featuring mangoes and tropical fruit. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 13. $5 (free for ages 9 and younger). Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, 12175 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia. pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
— 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: Fort Myers Art Walk returns: Best things to do this weekend
