AUGUST
Culinary event with Ellen Kanner, author of new cookbook ‘Miami Vegan’
Plant-Based Recipes from the “Tropics to Your Table” from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, in The Workshop at The Luminary, downtown Fort Myers. Cost: $80 admission includes a copy of the cookbook and a four-course menu featuring chef-curated vegan dishes inspired by the heart of Miami. Information: luminaryhotel.com/events/miami-vegan-a-workshop-dining-experience.
’80s tribute The Molly Ringwalds at Caloosa Sound
The Sheffield, England, band plays Beastie Boys, Prince, Bon Jovi and more hits from the ’80s — plus costumes, theatricality and a light show. Concertgoers are encouraged to wear their favorite ‘80s gear. 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8. Cost: $38-$66. VIP high-top tables available for $348-$393 and seat four people. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. Information: CaloosaSoundAmp.com.
Summer Festival at Calusa Nature Center
The Fort Myers nature center hosts this new festival packed with fun things to do, including planetarium shows, food trucks, a dunk tank, face painting, a bubble station, a ring toss and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. $13 for adults, $7 for children. Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. Information: 275-3435 or calusanature.org.
SWFL Anime-Fest Show
An anime-focused convention featuring cosplay, celebrity guests, vendors, trivia and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 at Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, Fort Myers. $20. Information:swflanimefest.com.
The Downtown Showdown finals at Sugarshack
The new Bonita Springs concert venue/restaurant hosts the finals for its first-ever singing competition. Southwest Florida singers will compete in front of live audiences for a $2,500 grand prize and more. Local celebrities serve as the judges. 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12. Free admission. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 301-4321 or sugarshackdowntown.com
‘Oklahoma! In Concert’
Players Circle stages a concert version of the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical with eight professional singers and 20 up-and-coming young performers. Aug. 12-31. $35-$45. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com.
Psychic and author John Edward
Psychic and author John Edward, discussing new book “Chasing Evil,” demonstrating his psychic skills and participating in a VIP Q&A after the main event. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Caloosa Sound Convention Center, downtown Fort Myers. $100($175 for VIP). Information: johnedward.net/events/fort-myers-fl-4.
The Stage reopens with tribute to Elvis, Buddy Holly and more
Bonita Springs venue/restaurant The Stage is a go-to place for tribute bands celebrating beloved musical acts in rock, pop, country, R&B and other genres. The venue reopens for the 2025-26 season with The Johnny Rogers Band performing “History of Rock n Roll,” including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15. $25. Doors open at 5 p.m. A full dinner menu is available. The Stage, 9144 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. Information: 405-8566 or stagebonita.com.
Danny Sinoff Trio at Davis Art Center
Popular Southwest Florida jazz singer/pianist Danny Sinoff performs and improvises on jazz classics with his trio. Part of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15. $15-$20. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. Information: 333-1933 or sbdac.com.
‘Boat America’
Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach will have another event on Aug. 16, “Boat America,” a safe boating class. Daniel Eaton, public affairs officer with Flotilla 91, shared some statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Boat America class offers training on boating laws, safety equipment requirements, navigation rules, emergency procedures and how to handle “various on-water situations.” Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an FWC Boaters Card, which is often required for certain age groups to operate a vessel in Florida waters. The class is from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Pine Ridge Community Center, 15660 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers. Cost is $45. Register in advance at aux91fmb.org/safeboating/. Learn more about the Coast Guard Auxiliary at cgaux.org. Free admission for kids at IMAG History & Science Center
IMAG marks its big 30th anniversary with free admission for kids and a day of hands-on activities, animal shows, demonstrations, food trucks, crafts, a science show and a “Super-Fantastic Foam Party.” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. Free admission for children, 30-percent discount for adults (usually $20). IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, downtown Fort Myers. Information: 243-0043 or theimag.org.
Musical ‘Cabaret’ at The Belle Theatre
The Cape Coral theater stages the classic musical set in 1930s Berlin as the Nazis rise to power. Now through Aug. 16. $25 ($15 for students). The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Suite 135, in The Towers at Santa Barbara shopping center, Cape Coral. Information: 323-5533 or thebelletheatre.com
Shell Museum presents lecture series
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium will present a free lecture series this summer and fall. “South Florida’s Seasonal Seas” by Gabriel Jensen, photographer, is 5:30 p.m., Aug. 21. The presentation tells the story of South Florida’s underwater seasons through photographs. “What Can Oysters Tell Us About the Restoration of the Everglades?” by Stephen Geiger, Ph.D., Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, is 5:30 p.m., Sept. 18. He explains the environmental conditions that allow oysters to thrive and why they are a good metric for water quality. “Gulf Seafood: Sustaining Wildlife and Our Way of Life” by John Fallon, Audubon Nature Institute, is 5:30 p.m., Oct. 16. His talk, held during National Seafood Month, explains what makes Gulf seafood sustainable, the challenges facing fisheries in the region. Although free of charge, pre-registration for lectures is required. To register, visit ShellMuseum.org/learn-and-experience/lectures.
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