Top 5 things to do this week in Lee County: Cape Coral Bike Night, Rodney Carrington

Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?

Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including "Heathers: The Musical" at FGCU and the return of Cape Coral Bike Night.

Plus, we look ahead at other things to do in the coming weeks: Mike Mills of R.E.M., Players Circle Theater's first show in its new south Fort Myers home 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. Cape Coral Bike Night

Motorcycles rumble into downtown Cape for this popular event featuring live rock bands, vendors, beer, food and more. The musical lineup includes local bands Smack Daddy and Maiden Cane. 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Free. Southeast 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. ccbikenight.com

2. 239 Fest: Ska, punk and reggae bands in Cape Coral

More than 25 local and touring ska, punk, rock and reggae bands play on three stages at the free annual music fest. The lineup includes F, Except You, Roxx Revolt and the Velvets, Dial Drive, Bargain Bin Heroes, The Tokes, Perfect Sequence, DONEFOR, Future Bygones and Cornered. Music starts at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Free. Takes place on indoor and outdoor stages at Rack’em Spirits & Times, 1011 S.E. 47th Terrace, and Ollies Pub, 1019 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral. facebook.com/239punkskafest

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3. ‘Heathers: The Musical’ at FGCU

The musical version of the cult-classic 1989 movie takes on bullying, teen suicide, cliques and the pain of high school ― all with darkly comic pop-rock songs such as “Candy Store” and “My Dead Gay Son.” The show is a collaboration between Naples’ TheatreZone and FGCU’s Bower School of Music & The Arts. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 12-15. $40-$45 ($10 for students). FGCU TheatreLab at Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Estero. 888-966-3352 or theatre.zone

4. New book on City of Palms Classic basketball tournament

Former The News-Press sports reporter David Dorsey launches his new book and reveals its title and cover. He’ll also sign copies, which will be sold for $19 each. The book chronicles the 50-year history of the City of Palms Classic high-school basketball tournament in Fort Myers. Many future NBA players and McDonald's All-Americans have appeared in the tournament. Dorsey previously wrote the football book “Fourth Down in Dunbar.” 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. Free. The event includes complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com

5. Rodney Carrington at Mann Hall

The comedian/country singer returns to Fort Myers. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. $53-$74. Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

MORE THINGS TO DO

Off Broadway Palm’s 'Popcorn Falls'

Two actors play more than 20 roles in this farce about a sleepy American town forced into bankruptcy when its namesake waterfall dries up. Their only hope: Open a theater, put on a play and save the town. Oct. 11-Nov. 18. $35-$70. Off Broadway Palm at the Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com

Oktoberfest at Fort Myers Brewing

The brewery celebrates October with four days of special-release craft beer, food trucks offering German-inspired food, live music and a stein-hoisting competition. The musical lineup includes The Ben Allen Band, Rock Republic, Ralph Curtis and The Freecoasters. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 12-15. Free. Fort Myers Brewing Co., 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Unit 28, south Fort Myers. 313-6576 or fmbrew.com

Lakes Park Fall Festival and Scarecrows in the Park

The annual festival returns with a pumpkin patch, the 13^th annual Scarecrows in the Park contest, hayrides, inflatables and the Halloween Express train ride. The Scarecrows in the Park display features scarecrows decorated as movie characters in the Lakes Park Children’s Garden. 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from Oct. 13-31. Free admission, but some activities and rides cost extra. Parking is $1 per hour or $5 all day. Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers. 533-7575 or facebook.com/leelakespark

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Barktober Fest at Gulf Coast Town Center

Bring your family and pets for this animal-friendly Halloween event with a pet costume contest, a photo booth, stilt walker/balloon artist Too Tall Torrie and a deejay spinning Halloween music. The annual event benefits Love is Fur Ever Dog Rescue and donations of necessary items will be collected (including dry food, dog treats, peanut butter, toys, paper towels, pee pads, dog beds and pill pockets). 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Free. Online registration required for pet costume contest. The courtyard at Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., San Carlos Park. 267-5107 or gulfcoasttowncenter.com

‘Rocky Horror’ Drag Show at Snappers

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED Watch the cult-classic 1975 rock musical “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” as a "shadow cast" of drag kings and queens lip-sync and perform along. Presented by A Haus of Drag. 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. $20-$23, plus $10 for a goodie-bag of props and other items for audience participation. There’s also a two food or drink minimum per person. Ages 18 and older. Snappers Laugh In Comedy Café, 8595 College Parkway, Unit 270, south Fort Myers. 479-5233 or snapperslaughin.com

Blair Crimmins & The Hookers at Arts Bonita

The six-piece Atlanta band plays ragtime and New Orleans-style jazz with smoky vocals, clever lyrics and a modern twist. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. $42-$49. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

LOOKING AHEAD

Players Circle Theater reopens with ‘Breaking Legs’

Players Circle reopens in its new location on McGregor Boulevard ― the former New Phoenix Theatre ― with the Mafia comedy “Breaking Legs.” Florida Rep founders Bob and Carrie Cacioppo started the professional theater in 2019 at The Shell Factory. Oct. 17-Nov. 12. $43-$58. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com

Theatre Conspiracy’s ‘Radio Golf’

Theatre Conspiracy continues its commitment to produce one play from August Wilson’s celebrated “Century Cycle” each season. In “Radio Golf,” a Black mayoral candidate — also a partner in a development project — faces a moral dilemma over gentrification plans in a minority neighborhood. Oct. 19-29. $32 ($14 for students). Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or at ArtInLee.org/Theatre

Big Bounce America at JetBlue Park

The giant, touring bounce-house attraction comes to JetBlue Park. It features four inflatable sections, including the 16,000-square-foot “World’s Largest Bounce House” and the sports-themed Sports Slam with nets, hoops and balls of many sizes and types. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 20-22. Three hour sessions are $22-$45. JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, south Fort Myers. thebigbounceamerica.com

Oktoberfest in Cape Coral

The 38th-annual event returns after skipping 2022 due to Hurricane Ian. Oktoberfest brings two weekends of German culture to Cape Coral: Beer, live bands, authentic German food, vendors and more. The musical lineup includes German bands KaBeGl and Maselheimer Musikanten, house band Hafenkapelle and local acts The Boots, Deb & the Dynamics, A’Finnity, Pitbull of Blues and the Dottie Kelly Band. Friday through Sunday, Oct.  20-22 and 27-29. $8 in advance, $10 at the gate (free for ages 11 and younger, prices subject to change). German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 283-1400 or capecoraloktoberfest.com

Lab Theater’s ‘Misery’

The Southwest Florida premiere of the stage thriller based on Stephen King’s terrifying hit novel. A popular novelist crashes his car and gets rescued by superfan Annie, who holds him hostage after she reads the manuscript for his new novel — in which he kills off heroine Misery Chastain. Oct. 20-Nov. 12. $35 ($10 for students). Half price preview shows are Oct. 18-19. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

Sonic Masquerade at Nice Guys

A cover show where Southwest Florida musicians play full sets of music from their favorite musical acts. The cover sets include Korn, Paramore, The Misfits, Together Pangea and Pat the Bunny. This year’s event also includes a Halloween costume contest and specialty cocktails. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. $10 at the door. Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral. loveyourrebellion.org

R.E.M. Explored with Mike Mills and Southwest Florida Symphony

R.E.M. founding member Mike Mills joins Southwest Florida Symphony on reimagined versions of some of his band's best-known songs. The touring show features 10 R.E.M. songs rearranged by composer David Mallamud and orchestral arranger Carl March (best known for his work with influential ‘70s rock band Big Star). Mills also performs his own “Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and Orchestra” with Grammy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. $45-$135.Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

'I Love the 80s' TO DEATH' murder mystery fundraiser

In this Calusa Nature Center fundraiser, three professional comedians "create mayhem" as the audience tries to solve an '80s-themed murder. Plus a four-course meal, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. '80s attire is encouraged. 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. $200. The event is a fundraiser for the nature center's Animal Ambassador program. Harold's Restaurant, 15250 S. Tamiami Trail, No. 107, Fort Myers. 275-3435 or calusanature.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: Cape Coral Bike Night, Oktoberfest: Things to do in the Fort Myers area