JUNE
‘Backstage Hollywood’ Marco Historical Society
The Marco Island Historical Society is hosting a new traveling exhibit organized by Mid-America Arts Alliance, “Backstage Hollywood: The Photographs of Bob Willoughby.” The exhibit opens June 17 and runs through Aug. 9 at the Marco Island Historical Museum. A free and open to the public exhibit reception will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m., June 24. Willoughby, a widely recognized 20th century photography pioneer, was the first outside photographer invited by studios to take photos on film sets. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and the site is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors. For information call 239-389-6447 or visit themihs.org.
‘Drawing from Music’
Taught by Anthe Capitan-Valais, an award-winning visual artist, this workshop offers an engaging multimedia art experience for all ages as well as for families to do together. “Drawing from Music” brings the joy of art to the Rookery Bay community and teaches participants how to create expressive pieces of art inspired by music. The experience is designed to be dynamic and interactive, merging music, mind, body and art. June 17 and July 15 at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. For ages 10-plus (children must be accompanied by an adult). Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
CCR tribute at Barbara B.
Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute Commotion: At 8 p.m., Thursday, June 19, at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, south Fort Myers. Cost: $37-$79. Information: bbmannpah.com.
David Koechner at Off the Hook
The comedian performs June 20 and 21 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission, plus a fee. At 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Friday, June 20 and 6 and 8 p.m., Saturday, June 21. Information: offthehookcomedy.com.
‘Biology on a Bike’
Explore the Uplands on Bicycle; learn to identify plants and animals and how scientific data is collected at the Reserve. At Shell Island Road Field Station, 10 Shell Island Road, Naples, June 20 and July 25. More at rookerybay.org.
Essentials of Digital Photography Workshop
If you want to get the best pictures possible and a true understanding of your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students. No previous camera or photography experience is necessary, just a desire to learn. From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., June 21 and July 19 at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Cost: $55. Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
Juneteenth Community Festival in Fort Myers
Celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with vendors, live entertainment, food trucks, a Kids’ Zone, a deejay, fireworks and more. From 4-8 p.m., Saturday, June 21. Free. Presented by the Lee County Black History Society. The STARS Complex, 2980 Edison Ave., Fort Myers. Information: 332-8778 or leecountyblackhistorysociety.org.
Little Mike & The Tornadoes
High-energy Chicago-style blues led by pianist and harmonica virtuoso Mike Markowitz. This is the Queens, New York, band’s first show at Arts Bonita. At 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 21. Cost: $38-$48. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Information: 495-8989 or artsbonita.org.
Alejandro Fernandez
The de Rey a Ray Tour will be at Hertz Arena at 8 p.m., June 22. Tickets start at $60, and arena parking is $30. At 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Information: hertzarena.com.
Chamber to host ‘Wake Up Naples’
Heart
The rock band will be performing two sets at Hertz Arena at 7:30 p.m., June 25. Tickets start at $40 and arena parking is $30. At 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Information: hertzarena.com.
‘Sweeney Todd’ at The Naples Players
The Naples Players announce the opening of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical, running from June 25 through July 27, 2025, at the Kizzie Theater. Tickets are available online at NaplesPlayers.org or by calling the TNP Box Office at 239-263-7990. Prices range from $50-$55. Shows run Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Information: NaplesPlayers.org or 239-263-7990.
‘Sleuthing the Lagoon’
Ever wonder what it’s like to be an animal living in an estuary? Experience their unique habitat by surveying fish with an ancient method of collection, scooping crabs and worms out of sand and observing birds wading through water. At Tigertail Beach, 430 Hernando Dr., Marco Island, June 27 and July 11. More at rookerybay.org.
Mike Epps at Off the Hook
The comedian performs June 27-29 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $60 general admission, plus a fee. At 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, June 27; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Saturday, June 28 and 6:30 p.m., Sunday, June 29. Information: offthehookcomedy.com.
‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’
This is a Teen Conservatory Production — with performers ages 13 to 18 — at Gulfshore Playhouse, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road S., Naples. See it June 27–29, in the Struthers Studio at the Baker Theatre and Education Center. Tickets $25. More at gulfshoreplayhouse.org.
Naples Botanical Garden’s Tasting the Tropics
The Naples Botanical Garden’s annual Tasting the Tropics fruit festival is from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29. Visitors will be able to sample tropical fruits from around the world, discover fruiting plants grown in the garden, watch live demonstrations and take a fruit-themed tour. The Naples Daily News is joining the festival this year along with award-winning author ― and former JLB restaurant critic and food writer Annabelle Tometich. Tometich is the author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony.” Tometich will be at the Naples Daily News booth from 10 until 11 a.m., Saturday, June 28. Naples Botanical Garden is located at 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Tasting the Tropics is included with Naples Botanical Garden admission; free for Garden members. The garden will also be offering tropical fruit tours. Those are $10 for Garden members and $15 for non-members.
Baker Senior Center to host caregivers’ workshop
Baker Senior Center Naples will present a “Caregiver Bootcamp” on Monday, June 30, for family members and friends caring for loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The workshop will feature several speakers discussing a range of topics. The event takes place from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Baker Senior Center Naples, 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane. The cost is $30 per person, which includes lunch. Registration is required and seats are limited. For additional information or reservations, contact Kelley Findlay at 239-325-4444 or send an email to: [email protected].
Top events of the week: 3 To Do: Summer Solstice celebration, ‘The Blue Note Sound’ and a hurricane town hall
In the news: Now You Know: Hurricane town hall and ‘Wildlife Baby Shower’
ONGOING
‘Ghost: The Musical’
TheatreZone presents a rare early summer treat with “Ghost: The Musical,” an adaptation of the 1990 Academy Award-winning hit film. Sam and Molly are deeply in love. Their connection takes a shocking turn when Sam is killed in a mugging that turns out to be a planned murder by a close associate of the couple. Unwilling and unable to leave Molly, Sam hovers between two worlds and learns the truth of his murder. At 7:30 p.m., June 6-7 and 12-14; 2 p.m. June 7-8 and 15. Talkback: June 12. At 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. Information: theatre.zone.
‘Obra Sonora’
The Baker Museum and Hayes Hall Galleries: See the exhibit, “Obra Sonora” by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, in its few remaining weeks on display. Open through June 15. At 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Information: 239-597-1900 or artisnaples.org.
Fiddler on the Roof Jr
Fiddler on the Roof JR. follows Tevye the milkman as he tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing world. Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to marry off his daughters and instill in them a sense of tradition in the face of growing anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia. Performances are 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, June 13-21; 2 p.m., Sunday, June 15and Saturday, June 21. At the Performing Arts Center, Hinman Auditorium, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Information: artsbonita.org.
Broadway Palm: ‘Legally Blonde’
Based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie, this hit musical follows a sorority girl who gets dumped by her social-climbing boyfriend and follows him to Harvard Law School. Along the way, she makes new friends, discovers a part of herself she never knew existed and realizes there’s more to life than “Cosmopolitan” magazine and getting married. Now through June 28. Cost: $65-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.
Art of the Americas on Marco Island
Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas (MoCAA) in Miami hosts a premier exhibition of 15 contemporary artists from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The exhibit runs through July 1 at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive. marcoislandart.org.
Florida Rep’s ‘‘Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3’
Marie Christina stars as the feisty, irreverent nun Sister in this third interactive show in the “Late Nite Catechism” series. She’ll school her catechism class – the audience at Florida Rep − on the Sacraments of Marriage, the Last Rites and her own wacky version of “The Newlywed Game.” June 12-July 3. Cost: $67. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. Information: 332-4488 or floridarep.org.
South American Trail at Naples Zoo
Head to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens to discover the South American Trail, featuring many new species, including two new residents: Izel, a young capybara, and Manu, a toco toucan at the Naples Zoo. The trail runs through July 31. Information: napleszoo.org.
‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ at Rookery Bay
Friends of Rookery Bay and the art program at Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting “Wildlife and Wild Places in SWFL,” a collaborative art exhibition. Students created the original photographs and sculptures. These artists were enrolled in the history of photography course by Professor Hannah Harley or sculpture course by Professor Steve Hughart. It will be on display until Aug. 1 at The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Admission to the reception is complimentary but registration requested at rookerybay.org/events. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, with admission of $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-12). Learn more at rookerybay.org or call 239-530-5972.
Exhibits at Naples Art
Naples Art Institute Exhibitions: “Imogen Cunningham: a Timeless Lens on Nature,” “Form & Identity” and “Robert McCabe: Images of an Enchanted Land” on display through Aug. 3. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members. At 585 Park St., Naples. Information: 239-262-6517 or naplesart.org.
‘STEMsational’ summer camps
Marine Science Summer Camp
Be a Marine Scientist this summer with Rookery Bay Research Reserve! Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve for a perfect marine science camp for 7th to 10th grade students who want to get hands-on with marine life and learn from real scientists. This flexible camp is filled with nature and science activities including time in Rookery Bay’s labs. Discover the birds, sharks, sea turtles and other amazing wildlife that call Rookery Bay’s amazing coastal habitat home. Camp scholarships are available. From 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Fridays, from June through August. For students in grades 7 through 10. Cost: $75 (camp scholarships available). Locations vary. Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
Mercato Nights Music
Head to Mercato the first Thursday of the month for an evening of live music from talented artists and cover bands. Music is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Lawn chairs are welcome. Outdoor drinks and coolers are not permitted. At 9127 Strada Place. Information: experiencemercato.com.
Civil Air Patrol
Meeting times and website have changed. 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. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and 3 and under are free. Information: RookeryBay.org.
Rookery Bay Eco Kayak & Boat Tours
Join us for a guided boat tour or kayak adventure into the beautiful waters of Rookery Bay Research Reserve. With our kayak tours, paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphins and manatees! Boat tours are small 6-passenger boats and offer a comfortable and informative ride. Guests can choose from different tours including a shelling trip to a deserted barrier island or a sunset tour. Find out more at RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
JULY
Watercolors & Wildlife: Painting with Jan
Paint the beauty of coastal living and the wildlife of estuary waters in this watercolor painting class. Local artist Jan Deswik offers simple step-by-step instructions and creative support perfect for beginners or anyone inspired by the coastal environment and wants to bring it to life in a one-of-a-kind painting. Each class spotlights a natural theme from shells to birdlife to local waterways. Held in classrooms at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, all materials are included. Participants will complete a painted piece with matte at each session. July 8: “Manatees” from 12:30 until 3 p.m. at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Cost: $85. Registration is required at rookerybay.org/calendar.
An evening of comedy on Marco Island
The Marco Island Center for the Arts recently announced an evening of comedy as part of the Venturino’s Comedy Series at the Arts Center Theatre. At 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 18, the spotlight will shine on “two titans of sketch and improv” in a one-night-only show – Kevin McDonald and Gregory Hollimon. For tickets, visit marcoislandart.org or call the box office at 239-784-1186.
Encore series
And last but not least, the “Encore Series” has returning favorites from last season. It includes … “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End” – A comedic and touching portrayal of the iconic humorist Erma Bombeck, at 7:30 p.m., July 24 and 25 and 3 p.m., July 26 and 27. Peter Fogel returns with “Til Death Do Us Part … You First” at 2 and 6 p.m., Aug. 6. “The Swingset” by Krystyn Estes will return for a limited engagement Aug. 28 and 29. Tickets are available now through the Marco Island Center for the Arts website marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre/ or by calling the box office at 239-784-1186.
AUGUST
‘Behind the Scenes of the Reserve’
June 13 and Aug. 1, explore the Reserve and the wildlife that calls it home. See where Rookery Bay’s research takes place, learn about the work being done to monitor the coastal habitat and complete a scientific study. At Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples, Aug. 1. More at rookerybay.org.
Stage 2 Improv
Stage 2 Improv, the Naples-based group, returns for three performances. Shows will be June 28, Aug. 2 and Sept. 20. At the Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Arts Center Theatre. More at marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221…