Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and next week, including Celebrate Bonita, Record Store Day and the 10th-annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival. Plus a look at what’s ahead in April.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected] .
1. 10th-annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival
For the last decade, this annual fest has asked filmmakers to submit short films highlighting “the magic of Bonita Springs.” And they’re doing it again next week. The winning films will be shown and cash prizes awarded at a red-carpet event. All entries must include significant footage shot in Bonita. 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17. $20. Prado Stadium 12, 25251 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs. bonitaspringsfilmfestival.com
2. Record Store Day in Fort Myers
The annual Record Store Day is the biggest, busiest day of the year for many independent U.S. record stores and music fans. Long lines of vinyl lovers show up for sales and limited-edition records. Saturday, April 12. Free. Participating Southwest Florida stores include Record Trader 1, Stellar Records and Joe’s Record Exchange in Fort Myers. recordstoreday.com
3. Celebrate Bonita with headliner Kylie Morgan
Country singer-songwriter Kylie Morgan headlines the free annual festival celebrating the City of Bonita Springs’ incorporation. Plus student performances, local art projects, food and more. 5-9 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Free. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
4. Broadway Palm’s ‘Waitress’
Based on a 2007 movie starring Keri Russell, the musical “Waitress” tells the story of a pregnant waitress who sees a pie-making contest as a way to escape her unhappy life. It features songs by pop singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. April 11-May 24. $65-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
5. South Cape Business Easter Egg Hunt
Kids can bring their Easter baskets to participating South Cape businesses to collect eggs filled with candy, trinkets or even gift cards. Photos with the Easter Bunny available at MM Brands on Lafayette Street. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Free. A limo bus will be available to shuttle families safely across Cape Coral Parkway between Big John’s Plaza, 1215 Cape Coral Parkway E., and Zack’s Jewelry, 1314 Cape Coral Parkway E. Suite 101. For a more details and a map of participating businesses, visit bit.ly/sceasteregg .
MORE THINGS TO DO
‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ Kill Devil Hill, Lab Theater’s ‘The Minutes’
- The stage musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’: April 11-19 at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, Bonita Springs. $20-$35. artsbonita.org
- Metal supergroup Kill Devil Hill: 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, at Stet’s Bar, Fort Myers. $25-$50. facebook.com/stetsbarftmyers
- Scathing comedy “The Minutes”: “August: Osage County” playwright Tracy Letts takes on “small-town politics and real-world power.” April 11-27 at The Laboratory Theater of Florida, downtown Fort Myers. $32-$37. laboratorytheaterflorida.com
- Music revue ‘Jerry’s Girls’: Celebrates the songs of Jerry Herman, including the musicals “Hello Dolly,” “Mame,” “La Cage Aux Folles.” April 9-25 at the Music & Arts Community Center (The MACC), Fort Myers. $67-$72. gulfcoastsymphony.org
Cape Coral Bike Night, Buckingham’s 75th anniversary party, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees
- Micky Dolenz of The Monkees: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12. at Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee. $95. moreinparadise.com
- Cape Coral Bike Night: Motorcycles, live rock bands and more. 5-10 p.m. Saturday, April 12, on Southeast 47th Terrace in downtown Cape Coral/South Cape. Free. CCBikeNight.com
- Buckingham 75th Anniversary Celebration: Live music, food trucks, vendors, raffles, auctions and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Buckingham Blues Bar, Buckingham. Free. facebook.com/BuckinghamCommunityAssociation
- Regional International Blues Challenge winner Glenda Fell: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Planetary Court in Koreshan State Park, Estero. $10. FriendsOfkoreshan.org/SpecialEvents
- Florida Rep’s groovy ‘60s musical ‘Shout!’: Now through Sunday, April 13. Tickets start at $71. Florida Repertory Theatre, downtown Fort Myers. floridarep.org
- Tommy Dorsey Orchestra: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community, south Fort Myers. $50. tribbyartscenter.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral Easter Eggstravaganza
This free annual event is open to kids from ages 1 to 10. The fun includes an Easter egg hunt, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, Easter basket giveaways, an egg relay race, a corn hole challenge, sweet treats and more. Bring your own Easter basket. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Free admission. Cultural Park, 544 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. facebook.com/kiwanisclubcapecoral
Sanibel Island’s 50 th Anniversary Egg Hunt
The city’s 50 th -annual egg hunt also includes treats, contests, prizes, games, crafts, an egg drop from the air and photos with the Easter Bunny. Presented by the Sanibel Recreation Center. The various egg hunts are divided by age group. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Free. The Sanibel Ballfields, 3840 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island. conta.cc/4ifDGOW
Veterans Park Ultimate Egg Hunt in Lehigh Acres
Kids activities include music, games, sweet treats, a bounce house and an egg hunt with “Special Golden Eggs” filled with “extra-awesome prizes.” For ages 12 and younger. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Egg hunt divided into time slots based on age group. $5. Advance registration is required. Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres. 533-7530 or facebook.com/VeteransRecCenter
Dunbar Easter Parade and Festival
Travis Tritt at Hertz Arena
The country star’s many hits include “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” and “It’s a Great Day To Be Alive.” Brian Kelley opens. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26. $35-$345. Parking on site is $30, plus taxes and fees (no cash). Free parking next door at Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com…