Looking for fun things to do this weekend? Our Top 5 events in Fort Myers, Cape Coral

Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press
·7 min read
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It's the Tony Awards for Southwest Florida theater kids. Lee County students dance, sing and compete onstage at next week's High School Musical Awards.

But that's not all that's happening in Southwest Florida. Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including Free Comic Book Day and reggae stars Stephen Marley and Inner Circle.

Plus, we look ahead at other things to do in the coming weeks: Progressive metal greats Queensryche, the Florida comedy "A Cracker at the Ritz" and more.

1. High School Musical Awards at B.B. Mann

Lehigh Senior High School students perform a scene from “Footloose" at the 2023 High School Musical Awards. The school won Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra at the May 4 event honoring Lee County school musicals.
Lehigh Senior High School students perform a scene from “Footloose" at the 2023 High School Musical Awards. The school won Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra at the May 4 event honoring Lee County school musicals.

The Tony Awards-style High School Musical Awards returns with students from eight Lee County high schools vying for awards and performing numbers from their 2023-24 musicals. 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9. $10. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

High School Musical Awards: Read about Canterbury School, more 2023 winners

2. Free Comic Book Day in Cape Coral

Free Comic Book Day is all about superheroes and comic books. Pictured is Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) in the upcoming superhero sequel "Deadpool & Wolverine."
Free Comic Book Day is all about superheroes and comic books. Pictured is Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) in the upcoming superhero sequel "Deadpool & Wolverine."

Get free comics from popular and independent publishers during the annual event at comic shops across the country, including official events at Cape Coral's JP Sports Collectibles and Cool Comics and Games. Check with other Southwest Florida comic shops, as well: They might be hosting unofficial events. Saturday. May 4. Free.  freecomicbookday.com

3. Stephen Marley and Inner Circle in Naples

This show is worth the trip to Naples for reggae fans. Reggae singer/guitarist Stephen Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, plays an outdoor, unplugged show, including songs from his new album "Old Soul." Inner Circle opens. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4. $55-$90. Seminole Center at Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com

4. Florida Rep’s PlayLab Festival

The annual festival returns with actors reading five new plays from U.S. playwrights, plus a panel discussion with the playwrights and special guests. This year’s plays are "Dunk City" (Stephen Brown), "Ten Minutes On a Bench" (Kenneth Jones), "Minding Miss Mae Mae" (Phillip Christian Smith), "How It Feels To Fall From The Sky" (Dominic Finocchiaro) and "Room 1214" (Michelle Kholos Brooks). Thursday through Sunday, May 2-5. $30 per reading or  $150 for an all-access pass, including admission to all five readings and the playwright's panel. VIP tickets are $185. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org

5. Indigo Girls at B.B. Mann

The popular folk duo's hits include "Closer to Fine," "Kid Fears," "Power of Two" and "Least Complicated." 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. $38-$81. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

MORE THINGS TO DO

DAAS CO-OP moves to the Alliance for the Arts

Mixed-media artist Pamela Jones will be featured in the first exhibit at DAAS CO-OP's new gallery at the Alliance for the Arts.
Mixed-media artist Pamela Jones will be featured in the first exhibit at DAAS CO-OP's new gallery at the Alliance for the Arts.

The cooperative art gallery reopens next to the Alliance for the Arts' Arts & Eats Café with "Gypsy Jazz," a new exhibit from Southwest Florida mixed-media artist Pamela Jones. DAAS moved to the Alliance from The Butterfly Estates complex, which has seen dwindling visitors since the popular Butterfly Estates attraction closed there in 2023. The exhibit opens with a reception from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, May 3. It continues through June 2. Free admission. The gallery's regular business hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts at the Alliance for the Arts, 10051 McGregor Blvd., Suite 104, Fort Myers. 955-0422 or daascoop.com

Katelyn & Jules in Fort Myers

Josie Music Awards-winning duo Katelyn & Jules play "An Evening of Jazz." 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4. $25. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

Southwest Florida Theatre Company's 'Route 66'

Southwest Florida Theatre Company's 'Route 66'
Southwest Florida Theatre Company's 'Route 66'

Last chance to see this musical revue featuring 34 of the 20th Century's greatest "Rock 'n' Road" hits. Those songs include “Dead Man’s Curve,” “King of the Road,” “Little Old Lady from Pasadena,” “Little GTO” and “Fun, Fun, Fun." Performed by The MACC's resident theater company. Now through Saturday, May 4. $48-$53. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gcsarts.org

Lab Theater's 'Crocodile Fever'

Last chance to see this bloody, dark comedy that one theater critic described as "Tarantino for feminists." The story involves a woman living a quiet life in 1989 Northern Ireland when her rebellious IRA sister shows up. Soon, the sisters are forced to confront their abusive dead father’s legacy. Now through Sunday, May 5. $35. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

'Hamilton' at B.B. Mann Hall

The national tour of "Hamilton"
The national tour of "Hamilton"

Last chance to see the touring Broadway musical at B.B. Mann Hall. “Hamilton” opened on Broadway in 2015 and quickly became a national sensation with its rap songs, colorblind casting and biographical story about Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the other founding fathers of the United States. Now through Sunday, May 5. $52-$180. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

Doyle of The Misfits and Otep at The Ranch

Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein – usually shortened to just Doyle − is the former guitarist for legendary punk band The Misfits. He co-headlines this tour with metal band Otep. Living Dead Girl and Red Devil Vortex open. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. Doors open at 7 p.m. $29 for general admission, $59 for reserved seating. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

Florida Rep's 'Oleanna'

Micheal Tuner and Ella Olsen star in Florida Rep's "Oleanna"
Micheal Tuner and Ella Olsen star in Florida Rep's "Oleanna"

David Mamet’s explosive, thought-provoking drama involves a college professor and a female student who accuses him of sexual harassment. What follows is an escalating war of words that transforms the college campus into a battlefield. Now through May 19. Tickets start at $65. Artstage Studio Theatre at Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org

LOOKING AHEAD

Flamencodanza at Alliance for the Arts

Madrid, Spain's Flamencodanza performs contemporary flamenco dancing accompanied by guitar.
Madrid, Spain's Flamencodanza performs contemporary flamenco dancing accompanied by guitar.

Madrid, Spain's Flamencodanza appeared at last year's Fringe Fort Myers. Now they're back for a separate show. Dancer Aylin Bayaz and guitarist Raúl Mannola perform contemporary flamenco dancing and music. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10. $20.Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

Glenn Crytzer Quartet in downtown Fort Myers

New York City bandleader, guitarist and singer Glenn Crytzer returns to Davis Art Center with his jazz/swing quartet. Part of the Jazzy Nights Music Series. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. $45-$50 ($10 for students). Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com

'Godspell' at Players Circle Theater

The cast of "Godspell" at Players Circle Theater
The cast of "Godspell" at Players Circle Theater

Last chance to see the beloved musical that follows Jesus Christ and his apostles as they tell different parables using games, comedy and an eclectic blend of songs from pop to vaudeville. Now through Sunday, May 12. $40-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com

Queensryche at The Ranch

Progressive-metal greats Queensryche play their debut EP and their album "The Warning," start to finish. Armored Saint Opens. Show starts at about 8 p.m. Sunday, May 12. $20. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

'A Cracker at the Ritz' at Arts Bonita

Betsy Bennett (pictured) co-stars with Rick Compton in Compton & Bennett's “A Cracker at the Ritz."
Betsy Bennett (pictured) co-stars with Rick Compton in Compton & Bennett's “A Cracker at the Ritz."

Satirical duo Compton & Bennett return with their popular musical poking fun at Southwest Florida. They perform twice a month at Arts Bonita. 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

'Men Are Dogs' at Fort Myers Theatre

Former New York playwright Joe Simonelli, who now lives in south Fort Myers, produces and directs the first of several of his plays planned for Fort Myers Theatre in 2024-25. In the romantic comedy "Men Are Dogs," a psychologist stages mock therapy sessions to help her neurotic patients in a support group for single and divorced women − all while dealing with problems of her own. Simonelli also performs in the show. May 15-25. $20-$35. There will be a talkback May 15 (opening night) and May 22 with Simonelli and the show's cast. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., Unit #5, south Fort Myers. 323-6570 or ftmyerstheatre.com

— 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: Free comic books, Musical Awards: Things to do in Fort Myers, Cape