Best things to do this week in SW FL: Fort Myers Boat Show, Pine Island Stone Crab Fest
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Fort Myers Boat Show, Veterans Day parades and the gangster clowns of the comedy "Clown Bar."
Plus, we look ahead at more things to do in the coming weeks: Nashville Night at Babcock Ranch, 'A Magical Cirque Christmas' and more.
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. 'Clown Bar' returns to the Alliance for the Arts
This “zany clown-noir dramedy” was such a hit last year, Theatre Conspiracy brought it back for a new three-week run. The Foulds Theatre transforms into the titular clown bar for this set in the dark, secret world of gangster clowns. The working bar opens 45 minutes before each show to sell drinks to theater patrons. Nov. 9-25. $32. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
2. Fort Myers Boat Show
The 51st-annual event features boating products, boating experts, four food-and-drink areas and more than 500 boats of all types from more than 130 different boat manufactures. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 9-12. $20 (free for ages 15 and younger with paid adult admission). The show takes place in Centennial Park, along the Caloosahatchee River and inside Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. The event entrance is next to the post office at Bay and Heitman streets. fortmyersboatshow.com
3. Broadway Palm's 'Elf the Musical'
The musical version of the popular Christmas movie returns to Broadway Palm. Raised in the North Pole, Buddy doesn’t realize he’s actually a human, not one of Santa’s elves. He soon journeys to New York to find his true identity. Nov. 10-Dec. 25. $70-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
4. In This Moment and Ice Nine Kills at Hertz Arena
Modern metal stars In This Moment and Ice Nine Kills bring their co-headlining Kiss of Death Tour to Hertz Arena. Plus opening acts Avatar and New Years Day. 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Doors open at 5 p.m. $36-$66. Parking on site is $30 (no cash accepted). Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
5. Pine Island's Stone Crab Fest
The annual event returns with live music all day, seafood, vendors and – of course – lots of stone crab to eat (including crab cakes, crab chowder and fresh crab claws). The musical lineup includes Jumping Fences, Matt Lee Crew, Brother Love, and headlining blues rockers Deb & the Dynamics. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. $5. Calusa Cay Shoppes Publix Plaza, 5100 Pine Island Road. 283-0888 or PineIslandChamber.org
Veterans Day 2023 events: Parades, concerts, festivals and ceremonies in Southwest Florida
MORE THINGS TO DO
Ghostbird Theatre Company's new poem-play
The experimental theater troupe performs "No Single Body for Me to Follow," an original poem-play written by actor, playwright and FGCU theater professor Jim Brock. The story features Virginia Woolf readings, siblings about to perform a puppet show and a time- and space-jumping story involving "fluid anachronistic and transatlantic shiftings." 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 9-11. $20 ($7 for students). Seating is very limited. Malerba Studio, 3457 E. Riverside Drive, Fort Myers. GhostbirdTheatreCompany.org
Florida Rep's 'The Legend of Georgia McBride'
Last chance to see this big-hearted, zinger-filled musical comedy about a down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator who gets replaced by a second-rate drag show at a seedy Florida bar. So The King gets a makeover from some new friends and steals the show. Now through Sunday, Nov. 12. $61-$65. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
Fort Myers Veterans Day Parade
The annual parade returns to Edison Mall after skipping 2022 due to Hurricane Ian. It starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, near the former Macy's. Then the parade travels west toward J.C. Penney and then around the rest of the mall parking lot. Free. Edison Mall, 4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. facebook.com/EdisonMall
Cape Coral Veterans Day Parade
This community parade is organized by the city's Parks and Recreation Department and other local supporters. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Free. The parade travels west from Cape Coral Street to Chester Street on Cape Coral Parkway in downtown Cape Coral. 573-3128 or facebook.com/capecoralspecialevents
Honoring Our Heroes Who Served concert at Arts Bonita
Miami's South Florida Jazz Orchestra plays "the big band music of The Greatest Generation" with singer Lisanne Lyons, a former member of the United States Air Force Band. This tribute to veterans includes a dedicated dance floor, plus a free beer, wine or water for all veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first responders. All event participants will receive an American flag as a symbol of unity and patriotism. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. $42-$49. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Bayside Park Concert Series on Fort Myers Beach
This all-new weekly concert series kicks off with local dance-rock band The Echo. More bands will follow every Sunday. 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. Bring your own lawn chairs. Outside food and beverages not permitted. Well-behaved pets allowed (a leash of 6 feet or less is encouraged). Bayside Park is located at the corner of Fifth Street and Old San Carlos Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. 454-7500 or fortmyersbeach.org/events/bayside-concert-series
Telekinetic Yeti and Butthole Surfers bassist JD Pinkus
Iowa stoner-rock duo Telekinetic Yeti take the stage with bassist JD Pinkus, best known for his work with punk band Butthole Surfers. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. $15. Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral. 549-7542 or facebook.com/NiceGuysPizza
Ehnes Quartet at Davis Art Center
Acclaimed chamber-music string ensemble Ehnes Quartet was formed in 2010 at the Seattle Chamber Music Society. It's led by violinist James Ehnes. They'll be joined by pianist Andrew Strong on the art center's newly acquired Steinway concert grand piano. The program features Haydn's "String Quartet No. 1," Dvorak's "Piano Quartet No. 2" and Schumann's "String Quartet No. 1." 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. $45-$50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Fort Myers Music Walk
Downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Free. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance
Fair at Fenway South at JetBlue Park
Last chance to visit the family-friendly fair with carnival rides, kids rides, live shows, midway games, fair food and vendors. The live shows include racing pigs, a traveling wolf pack, a petting corral, a magician and a hypnotist. Every Thursday through Sunday until Sunday, Nov. 19. Admission is $10-12. A two-for-one coupon is also available online. All shows are free with admission. Rides cost extra. JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, south Fort Myers. fairatfenway.com
'A Magical Cirque Christmas' at Mann Hall
This touring, nostalgia-filled circus show features aerialists, acrobats and other entertainers performing to holiday music. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18. $38-$78. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Tellabration 2023!
Storytellers tell stories for both kids and grown-ups at this annual event returning to Fort Myers after a three-year absence. It's one of many Tellabration performances organized by the National Storytelling Network and taking place all over the world. The stories can be funny, poignant, true or fictional. Presented by longtime local storytelling group The Tamiami Tale Tellers. 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Free. Peace Community Church, 17671 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers Beach. 481-0552
Nashville Night at Babcock Ranch
The Babcock Ranch Foundation hosts this new outdoor music festival with Nashville "guitar guru" Dave Isaacs; duo Meg Williams and Travis Bowlin; and headliner Deidre Thornell. They'll play blues, rock and country music. Proceeds benefit the Babcock Ranch Foundation. Food and drinks will be available from food trucks and nearby restaurants. 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. $35-$45. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Founder’s Square in Babcock Ranch, 42850 Crescent Loop, Charlotte County. babcockranchfoundation.org
— 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: Fort Myers Boat Show, Pine Island Stone Crab Fest: Things to do in SW FL
