Top 5 things to do this weekend in SW FL: Movie 'Green Book,' immigration play Sanctuary City
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Theatre Conspiracy immigration drama "Sanctuary City" and jazz bassist Chuck Bergeron.
Plus, we look ahead at other things to do in the coming weeks: Broadway Palm’s "Murder on the Orient Express," the annual South Cape BaconFest Trolley Event 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. Theatre Conspiracy’s immigration drama ‘Sanctuary City’
In this drama from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok, two young, undocumented immigrants depend on each other for survival as they fight for a place for themselves in America. Opens Thursday, Aug. 17, and continues through Aug. 26. $32. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
2. Cinema with the Symphony summer film series: ‘Green Book’
The orchestra continues its new film series at Bell Tower with “Green Book.” Based on a true story, the popular 2018 drama follows an Italian-American bouncer who takes a job driving a Black pianist on a 1962 tour of the Deep South. Lee County Black History Society director Autumn Watkins Holloway introduces the film and talks about its significance for Southwest Florida. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 (pre-screening talk at 6 p.m.). $20. Popcorn, wine, soft drinks and movie-style snacks will be available for a suggested donation. Southwest Florida Symphony’s Artistic & Operations Center in Bell Tower, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 175, south Fort Myers. 418-0996 or swflso.org
3. Jazz Bassist Chuck Bergeron at Arts Bonita
The in-demand bassist also leads the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. He’ll be joined by jazz singer Kate Reid and guitarist Rick Howard on jazz and popular standards. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org
4. ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid’ at Broadway Palm
Last chance to see the fairytale musical adapted from the hit 1989 animated movie. It features hummable tunes from songwriting duo Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Now through Saturday, Aug. 12. $30-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
5. Selwyn Birchwood at The Buck
The Tampa bluesman is known for fiery guitar playing and soulful singing. He’s touring in support of his fourth album on Alligator Records, “Exorcist.” Birchwood calls his music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” described in a news release as “an intoxicating mix of deep blues, blistering, psychedelic-tinged rock, booty-shaking funk and sweet Southern soul, played and sung with fire-and-brimstone fervor.” 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $20. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Singer/Songwriter Competition at Davis Art Center
The seventh-annual competition features local and national singer-songwriters performing original songs for the audience and a panel of judges. The grand-prize winner gets recording time in Davis Art Center’s Six Fingers Studio and a performance spot at the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival. The audience also votes to name the People’s Choice Winner. 7:30 Friday, Aug. 18. $10-$15. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Broadway Palm’s 'Murder on the Orient Express'
Broadway Palm usually does nothing but musicals on its main stage. Now it’s trying something different: A stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s much-loved murder mystery, “Murder on the Orient Express.” The story − adapted into a 2017 movie starring Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and more − involves an American tycoon stabbed to death on a passenger train. Everyone is a suspect, and detective Hercule Poirot is on the case. Aug. 18-Sept. 16. $56-$80. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
Sneak peek at the new Players Circle Theater
The North Fort Myers theater has moved to a new location on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers ― the former home of New Phoenix Theatre. The professional theater won’t open its first play until October, but people can get a sneak peek at the renovations, learn about future shows and even sign up for discounted subscriptions or to volunteer. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP required. 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Free. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. RSVP at 800-3292 or jlindsey@playerscircle.org.
9th annual South Cape BaconFest Trolley Event
Ride trolleys throughout downtown Cape Coral and stop at 10 different bars and restaurants for bacon-themed drink and appetizer samples. Then vote on your favorites. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. $25-$35. Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, under the front awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. For news tips or other entertainment-related matters, call him at 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. You can also connect with him on 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, Cape Coral things to do: Green Book movie, jazz bassist
