MAY
City of Palms Dog Show at Lee Civic Center
Two Florida dog clubs join forces for four days of vendors, dog competitions, food trucks and more. First up is the Highlands County area’s Heartland Dog Club of Florida on Thursday, May 15. That will be followed by the Greater Fort Myers Dog Club from Friday through Sunday, May 16-18. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. Information: greaterfortmyersdogclub.org.
Fort Myers Film Festival
The festival celebrates its 15th anniversary with more independent shorts, documentaries and feature films shown each day. Now through May 18. Tickets are $10 per film or block of films, or $30 for a day pass. Movies are shown at various Lee County locations, including Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, BIG ARTS, the Alliance for the Arts, IMAG, Babcock Ranch and Calusa Nature Center. Information: fortmyersfilmfestival.com.
Coheed and Cambria at Hertz Arena
The progressive-metal stars bring their Infinite Arc Tour to Southwest Florida. Plus opening acts Periphery and Mastodon. At 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 19. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. $25-$135. Parking on site is $30, plus taxes and fees (no cash). Free parking next door at Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Information: 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
Information night for Naples Players’ Academy of Dramatic Arts
The Naples Players is expanding its educational programming with the launch of a new full-time Academy of Dramatic Arts, beginning September 2025. Space is limited. An information night will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, in the Glass Educational Theater at TNP. To register or to learn more, visit naplesplayers.org/tnpa.
Arts org to roast Marco city manager
Marco Island Center for the Arts is inviting the community to “an evening of humor, heart, and hometown celebration” during the 70th Birthday Roast of City Manager Mike McNees at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31at the Arts Center Theatre in Marco Town Center. Honorary Roast Master is Hyla Crane, executive director of Marco Island Center for the Arts. The roast will feature friends, coworkers and public figures “sharing their favorite funny moments and stories about McNees, all in the spirit of good-natured fun and community pride.” Tickets are $25, and seating is first come, first served. All proceeds support Marco Island Center for the Arts. Tickets and additional information are available at marcoislandart.org or by calling 239-394-4221.
Top events of the week: 3 To Do: Brit Floyd, ‘Purrs and Paddles,’ and Survival Skills Family Day
In the news: 3 To Know: REAL ID goes live; Mercedes in the USA; a Whopper of a lawsuit
ONGOING
‘Famlet’ on the Marco stage
“What do you get when you cross a moderately dysfunctional modern American family with one of the most notoriously dysfunctional families in the Shakespearean canon? You get Famlet!” reads the press release from the Marco Island Center for the Arts for the Arts Center Theatre. From local playwright Alex “Hubba” Costello comes “Famlet”, a comedy that takes the stage at the Arts Center Theatre from May 2 through May 11. Tickets are on sale now. Call the Arts Center Theatre box office at 239-784-1186 or visit marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre to reserve your seats.
Photography contest
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife is offering a way for you to show off your photography skills and celebrate the city’s beloved official bird, the burrowing owl. How? Through the annual Burrowing Owl Photo Contest, which runs from May 1 through 17. It’s open to amateur photographers of all ages. To be eligible, submissions must feature Cape Coral’s burrowing birds “in their natural environment.” Prizes will be awarded in two categories: Youth (ages 7–17) and adult (18 and up). The grand prize-winner will be featured on the official tee for the 2025 Burrowing Owl Festival. Winners will be revealed during an awards ceremony at noon, May 31 at Rotary Park in Cape Coral. To enter, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org for full contest rules and submission guidelines. The deadline to submit is May 17.
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. Information: 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.
‘The Hallelujah Girls’
The Naples Players present “The Hallelujah Girls,” a Southern comedy of three grieving friends. See it at Kizzie Theater, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples through May 25. Tickets start at $50. Information: 239-263-7990 or naplesplayers.org.
‘Culture Shock!’ exhibit at Arts Bonita
This group art exhibit features works inspired by movies, TV, music and other pop culture. The artists offer their take on cartoons, famous movie scenes, legendary musicians and lots more. On display now through June 5. Free. Hinman Gallery-in-the-Round at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Information: 495-8989 or artsbonita.org.
Exhibit explores Marco Island’s home history
A new Marco Island Historical Society exhibit, “The Florida House,” takes a trip back in time, marking and celebrating the 60th anniversary of modern Marco and the construction of the island’s first model homes. Exhibit runs through June 7. Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, 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.
‘STEMsational’ summer camps
Art of the Americas on Marco Island
The MoCAA Art Tour comes to the Marco Island Center for the Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas (MoCAA) in Miami will host a premier exhibition of 15 contemporary artists from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The exhibit runs now through July 1 at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive. Information: marcoislandart.org.
‘Wildlife and Wild Places’
Friends of Rookery Bay and the art program at Florida Gulf Coast University will host “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.
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.
JUNE
Art @ City Hall: ‘Mother Nature’
The city of Marco Island is pleased to announce a new art display at City Hall featuring “Mother Nature” as the theme. Artists in the exhibit include Marziano Gizzi, JoAnn Brandau, Edwin Cohen, Karen Swanker, Joseph Parisi, Lynn Roberts, JoAnn Sanborn, Mary Pat Palombo, Lynn Nathanson, Judith Chinski, Robert Kenedi, Adorable Monique and Nancy Norman. A free Art Open House will take place at city hall at 4 p.m., June 5.
Summer camps at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering several summer camp options for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Camps are educational and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math and incorporate activities. Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn. Summer camp are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily and start on June 9. For registration and additional information, visit edisonford.org.
JULY
Encore series
“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
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…