Best things to do this week in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs: Art fests, paranormal circus
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including Florida Rep's '60s musical "Beehive" and two huge art festivals in Bonita Springs and Cape Coral. Plus, we look ahead at more things to do in the coming weeks.
EVENT SUBMISSIONS: Got anything cool happening next weekend or later? I’m always looking for concerts, festivals and other great events for my weekly Top 5 things to do. To be considered, email me the details at crunnells@gannett.com or message me at facebook.com/charles.runnells.7.
1. Florida Rep's 'Beehive: The 60s Musical'
A jukebox musical packed with songs from The Chiffons, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Connie Francis, Janis Joplin and more female music icons from the ‘60s. A cast of six women performs more than 24 hits with big hairdos and '60s fashions. Jan. 12-28. Discount previews Jan. 9-11. $63-$69 (prices subject to change based on demand). Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
2. Cape Coral Art Festival and Marketplace
More than 300 artists show and sell their work at the popular outdoor event. Plus live entertainment, food and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 13-14. Free. Cape Coral Parkway between Del Prado Boulevard and Southeast 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral. capecoralartfestival.com
3. Bonita Springs National Art Festival
The first in a series of three annual art fests happening between January and March at Riverside Park. More than 200 artists are featured in the juried event. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 13-14. Free with a suggested $5 donation. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, downtown Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org/artfest
4. 'On the Road Again: The Hubcap as Art' exhibit
The touring show displays highlights from Pennsylvania's Landfillart Project, which started when a gallery owner acquired 1,041 discarded hubcaps and asked artists to transform them into art. He eventually got artists from around the country and world to take part. This exhibit features 270 artists from across the United States and 35 other countries. Many of the pieces have environmental themes. Now through March 30. Free. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community, 17281 On Par Blvd., south Fort Myers. 415-5667 or tribbyartscenter.com
5. Paranormal Cirque III at JetBlue Park
The R-rated, horror-themed circus show returns to south Fort Myers. Expect adult language, off-color jokes, blood, gore and general spookiness. Plus acrobatics, contortionists, aerialists and other circus acts dressed as zombies, vampires, ghosts and witches. Thursday through Monday, Jan. 11-15. $20-$60. Plus $5 parking on site. JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, south Fort Myers. 941-704-8572 or paranormalcirque.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
Off Broadway Palm's 'Run For Your Wife'
A London cab driver leads two separate lives with two separate wives in this Ray Cooney farce. He sees one in the morning and one at night. Then he’s mugged and police return him to the wrong home at the wrong time. Hilarity ensues. Jan. 11-Feb. 25. $55-$70. Off Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
Lab Theater's 'Stew'
OPENING POSTPONED TO JAN. 19. A fast-paced family dramedy about a mother, a daughter and grandchildren making a meal on an important Saturday morning. As the stew heats up, so does the unease and tension in the kitchen. Jan. 12-Feb. 3. $35. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
Grand Opening of The Laughing Brush
This new art studio offers guided painting sessions and group "paint parties" for all skill levels. Owners Damon and Alexander Hamel promise a "vibrant haven for art enthusiasts" that mixes fun, laughter and painting. The studio also serves snacks, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. The Laughing Brush opens with a free reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. Drinks and snacks will be served, and the first 20 people get to paint for free with Laughing Brush artists. The Laughing Brush, 7051 Cypress Terrace, Unit #203, south Fort Myers. 850-1577 or thelaughingbrush.com
Kayley Bishop of 'The Voice'
The Fort Myers singer-songwriter − formerly Kayley Hill − competed on the TV show "The Voice" in 2018 and made it to the battle rounds. Now she performs and records music in Nashville. She's returning to Southwest Florida for a beachfront concert with her band at Captiva's 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa. 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva Island. bit.ly/KayleyBishop.
Bible Bad Girls: Heresy or Herstory?
An original storytelling program dramatizing Eve, Bathsheba, Salome and other Biblical women. They’ll defend their tarnished reputations with compelling reasons for their choices. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $16. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
Katt Williams at Hertz Arena
The actor, comedian and self-described "pimp" brings his Dark Matter Tour to Southwest Florida. Katt Williams has appeared in the movies "Friday After Next," "Epic Movie" and "Norbit," as well as the acclaimed TV show "Atlanta" (for which he won an Emmy Award for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series). 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. $59-$250. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus in Fort Myers
The traveling circus features acrobats, motorcycle daredevils, a human cannonball and more “humans gone wild.” Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 17-21. $14.50-$40. $30-$60 for VIP. Parking fees may apply. Lawfirm Stadium, 3605 Canal St., Fort Myers. gardenbrosnuclearcircus.com
"A Grand Night for Singing' at The MACC
This Rodgers & Hammerstein revue features songs from beloved Broadway musicals such as “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific” and “Oklahoma!” Jan. 17-Feb. 3. $48-$53. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gcsarts.org
Theatre Conspiracy's 'Which Way to the Stage'
In this "playful yet profound comedy," two Broadway super-fans eagerly await their idol, Idina Menzel, after her performance. Then a sexy stranger appears and upends their long friendship. Performed by Theatre Conspiracy. Jan. 18-Feb. 3. $32. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
Hamfest in Fort Myers
The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club hosts this annual event aimed at amateur "ham" radio operators and people who are just getting interested in the hobby. Hamfest features demonstrations, vendors, workshops, FCC radio license testing, presentations, raffles and more. Noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19-20. $10. Building U at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, south Fort Myers. swflhamfest.info
Lita Ford at The Ranch
The '70s and '80s hard-rocker returns for another Fort Myers show. Lita Ford started her career with all-women rock band The Runaways, best known for their 1976 hit "Cherry Bomb." Her later solo hits include “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever” (with Ozzy Osbourne). Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. $43. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Where to eat: Hurricane Ian-destroyed Matlacha restaurant to open Cape Coral location
Venezia Renaissance Faire in Bonita Springs
The Renaissance and medieval faire returns for its second year in Bonita. The fun includes medieval games, jousting, battles, strolling entertainers, musical acts, medieval-style food (such as turkey legs), chariot races, vendors and more. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20-21 and 27-28. Next to Bonita Springs Poker Room, 28001 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. veneziarenaissancefaire.com
Barbie Dreamhouse Living Tour visits Gulf Coast Town Center
Toymaker Mattel brings its Barbie "truck tour" to Southwest Florida. The pink-colored van sells exclusive, Barbie-themed clothing and merchandise. Plus there will be activities from noon to 2 p.m., including face painting and photo ops with Barbie. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Free. Behind the stage in the courtyard at Gulf Coast Town Center, 10037 Gulf Center Drive, San Carlos Park. facebook.com/GulfCoastTownCenter
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 crunnells@gannett.com. 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: Art festivals, paranormal circus: Fort Myers, Bonita Springs things to do
