2021-07-01
Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency
Dear colleagues and community partners,
We are excited to share this monthly communication dedicated to Arts & Culture activities within our redevelopment areas. The Fort Myers CRA with its numerous community partners have supported arts and cultural developments in the City of Palms since 1984. We invite you to share and participate in these events. Your support is invaluable to our community.
For questions related these activities, or to share a community art or cultural event occurring within our redevelopment areas call (239) 321-7100 or email us at [email protected].
www.cityftmyers.com/cra
River District Alliance
The mission of the River District Alliance (RDA) is to promote and enhance the continued development of the historic Fort Myers River District as a hub of economic, social and cultural activity.
As one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, the RDA strives to preserve the essence of downtown while promoting the growth of the business and economic sectors that make the area thrive.
Location: 1401B Lee Street
Website: www.myriverdistrict.com
July 2, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., No Cost
Art Walk
July 4, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., No Cost
Freedom Fest
July 17, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., No Cost
Music Walk
Arts for ACT Gallery
Arts for ACT Gallery is the non-profit art gallery, studio and boutique owned by Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT), the domestic violence, sexual assault and Human Trafficking Center.
Location: 2265 First Street
Phone: 239-337-5050
Website: http://www.artsforactgallery.com/
July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., $5 – 15
Make It/Take It Classes
July 2- Aug. 2, No Cost (Opening July 2, 6 p.m.)
Main and White Gallery: Open Themed Group Exhibit – Altars, Shrines, Ditty Boxes and Cabinets of Curiosities
Neenie’s House
Neenie’s House is an arts and cultural emporium in the East Palm neighborhood in Fort Myers, FL. This unique venue hosts art openings, music performances, and more. The venue is available for private parties. Visit Neenie’s House Mercado every weekend!
Location: 481 Marsh Avenue
Phone: 224-678-4901
Website: www.NeeniesHouse.com
July 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29-31, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., No Cost
Zine Library & Cafe with WiFi
July 4, 11, 18, 25, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., No Cost
East Palm Mercado
July 4, 8 p.m. – Midnight, $10, Ages 21+
Swamp Showcase
July 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., No Cost
Green Dreams: Garden Arts Plant Sale
July 23, 8 p.m., No Cost
Daffodil (Music and Vendors)
Laboratory Theater of Florida
The Laboratory Theater of Florida is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation and the development of ensemble work.
Location: 1634 Woodford Avenue
Phone: 239-218-0481
Website: http://www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com/
July 1 – 3, 8 p.m., $30, $12 Students, Adult Language & Raunchy Humor: Masks required
Sunset Schmoulevard
July 29 – 31, 8 p.m., $17, $12 Students, Masks required
Failure: A Love Story By Philip Dawkins
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) was founded in 1997 by Jim Griffith as Florida Arts, Inc. SBDAC hosts concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibits, dance, independent film, cotillion, and arts education. Its mission is to nurture innovation and excellence in the visual and performing arts through these events and community outreach programs.
Location: 2301 First Street
Phone: 239-333-1933
Website: https://www.sbdac.com/
July 2 – 31, 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
(Arrive 15 minutes early to register), $16
Indra Yoga
July 2 – 29, $1 (Opening July 2, 6 p.m.)
Grand Atrium: The Three M’s Synergy | Marcus, Mully, & Marvin
Capital Gallery: Me, You and Them | Cath Branwood
July 2, 9, 23, 30, 7 p.m – MIdnight
Music on the Rooftop at Sidney’s Friday Nights
July 4, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., $99 in Advance, $125 Day of Event
4th of July Rooftop Bash Live Music by Roxx Revolt & The Velvets
July 15, 8 p.m., $10
Art & Poetry Networking
July 16, 9 p.m., $10 (Doors open 8:30 p.m.)
Sounds of Summer Music – Retro ’70s, ’80s & ’90s dance party
With 105.5 DJ Selecta AJ
DAAS Co-Op Gallery at the Butterfly Estates
We are Southwest Florida’s premier Art Gallery, featuring some of the best artists of our area. Our gallery operates in a cooperative system, which means that we all participate, collaborate, coordinate and tend to all business matters. DAAS stands for David Acevedo Art Studio. Acevedo is the founder, curator and director of the venue. DAAS Gallery holds exhibition opening receptions every first Friday of the month, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., in conjunction with Fort Myers Art Walk.
Location: 1815 Fowler Street, Unit 3
Phone: 239-590-8645
Website: https://daascoop.com/
July 2-31, No Cost (Opening July 2, 6 p.m.)
The Art of Ian Summers
Luminary Hotel & Co.
More than a hotel, Luminary is the hub of excitement and discovery – a focal point where locals and travelers make their unique imprint on the city’s own story. A story begun years ago by a brilliant cast of audacious luminaries. Create your own story by joining in one (or more!) of the many events offered by Luminary and Co.
Location: 2200 Edwards Drive
Phone: 239-314-3800
Website: https://www.luminaryhotel.com/events/
July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., No Cost
Live Music at the Lobby Bar
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., No Cost,
Dean St. Coffee Roastery
Coffee Roasting Demonstration
July 4, 11, 18, 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., No Cost
Live Music at Oxbow Bar & Grill
July 4, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., $100-125 per Person
Oxbow Bar & Grill – July 4th Celebration
July 4, 7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., $59 per Person
July 4th Celebration on the Pool Deck
July 17, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., $49,
The Workshop Culinary Theater, Luminary Hotel
Beer Flights & Bites with Fort Myers Brewing Co.
July 21, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., No Cost,
Oxbow Bar & Grill, The Lofton Room,
ArtFest Popup Boutique Art Event
July 22, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., $79,
The Workshop Culinary Theater, Luminary Hotel
Wine Dinner Hosted by Gourmet with Blakely & Daou Winery
Snouts & Strokes:
Pet Pub, Portraits & Provisions
Pub for you and your pet. Pet Treats & Pet Accessories. ART Gallery & Pet Portraits. Canvas Printing. Vinyl Decals. Paint Workshops. House Music – DJ Lounge on Thursday & Friday Nights.
Location: 1518 Jackson Street
Phone: 239-628-9593
Website: www.snoutsandstrokes.com
July 2, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., No Cost
Night Moves – Independence Day Edition
July 9, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., No Cost
Vibes, a Night of House Music – Celebrating Wendy B. White’s B-Day
July 16, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., No Cost
Let’s Go Fridays
July 21, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., No Cost
Paint Night at the Pub
True Tours
True Tours walking history tours are not only fun, the history is documented, fascinating and often surprising. Our tours consistently receive 4.5 Star + reviews for their entertainment and educational value. Private tours are available. All tours (except The Armchair Tour) leave from The Franklin Shops, 2200 First Street.
Location: 2200 First Street
Phone: 239-945-0405
Website: https:
//truetours.net/
July 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, 8 p.m., $18,
Reservations Required
Haunted History Tour
July 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 a.m., $18,
Reservations Required
River District History Tour
July 1-31, Call for Pricing,
Reserve your own 60-Minute Private Session from Your Home/Venue
Reservations Required
The Armchair Tour
July 1-31, Call for Pricing,
Reserve your own Private Tour
Reservations Required
Private Tour
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally-known winter home site of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Visitors will enjoy touring 20+ acres of historic homes, buildings and gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory and the Edison Ford Museum.
Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd.
Phone: 239-334-7419
Website: https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/
July 10, 10 a.m., $10 Members, $15 Non-Members
Garden Talk: Tropicals for the Hot Summer
July 20, 10:30 a.m., No Cost (Registration Required)
Digital Discussion: The Amish and Amish-Mennonites of Sarasota, Florida
ArtFest Fort Myers
Now in its 22nd year, ArtFest Fort Myers is scheduled for Feb. 5 – 6, 2022, on the downtown Fort Myers riverfront. ArtFest Fort Myers is coming back in 2022 as you knew us pre-COVID. The festival will once again be a FREE, non-gated event for all members of the Southwest Florida community. On the first weekend in February, ArtFest will enliven the Fort Myers waterfront with exceptional art by more than 200 select artists, plus lively entertainment, delicious food, and fun children’s art activities. It’s one of the area’s most popular art events with made-in-the-USA originals, including ceramics, jewelry, glass, unique paintings, wearable art and more. Also visit and shop the artists virtually on ArtFest@Home right from the art festival’s main website at ArtFestFortMyers.com.
Location: 1375 Monroe Street
Phone: 239-768-3602
Website: https://artfestfortmyers.com/
July 21, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., No Cost,
Oxbow Bar & Grill, The Lofton Room, 2nd Floor, 1300 Hendry Street
ArtFest Popup Boutique Art Event
Williams Academy Black History Museum
The Williams Academy Black History Museum preserves the history and culture of Black people in Lee County. Housed in the 1942 addition to the original 1913 Williams Academy building, the Williams Academy was one of the area’s first schools built for Black students using government funds. The Lee County Black History Society, Inc. (LCBHS), acquired the building in 1995, moved it to Roberto Clemente Park, and historically restored it, where they educate, preserve, and display the history and culture of black people in Lee County.
Location: 1936 Henderson Avenue
Phone: 239-332-8778
Website: https://www.leecountyblackhistorysociety.org/
Now Open with Limited Hours!
Call 239-332-8778 for information and schedules
Museum Tours
IMAG History & Science Center
The IMAG History & Science Center is a family-friendly destination offering fun and educational interactive exhibits, aquariums, history displays, and a 3D theater. The mission is to engage guests in the exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and more recently the history of Southwest Florida. This is achieved through hands-on experiences and educational programs that further the understanding of the natural and human-made world, and foster an appreciation for Southwest Florida’s unique environment, natural waterways, and rich history. A visit to the IMAG nurtures intellectual curiosity, discovery, and innovation. Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays Noon – 5 p.m., Closed Mondays
Location: 2000 Cranford Avenue
Phone: 239-243-0043
Website: https://theimag.org/
Registration Open Now, $190/week Family Membership,
$240/ per week Non-Members
Camp IMAG Summer Registration
Florida Repertory Theatre
Florida Rep is committed to providing a first-class regional theatre for Southwest Florida; to creating, nurturing and developing an ensemble of theatre professionals who will develop long term relationships working on a wide variety of plays; to helping improve the quality of life in our community through all the arts; and to making the arts, especially theatre, accessible to all.
Location: 2267 First Street
Phone: 239-332-4488
Website: http://www.FloridaRep.org
Back Onstage in 2021! Subscriptions & Single Tickets Now On Sale
Tickets for Florida Rep’s 2021-2022 Season
The venue below is located near our redevelopment areas
but not within them. We feature them as a partner in the arts to the Fort Myers CRA and other venues within the redevelopment areas.
Alliance for the Arts
The Alliance for the Arts is a vibrant and welcoming nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in the heart of southwest Florida. The Alliance is creative space that spurs and supports self-expression, imagination and equity.
Location: 10091 McGregor Boulevard
Phone: 239-939-2787
Website: https://www.artinlee.org/
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., No Cost
Saturday Greenmarket
July 4, 8 p.m., No Cost ($10 suggested donation)
Reiko and Friends Fourth of July Outdoor Concert
July 8, 2 p.m., No Cost ($10 suggested donation)
Art & Soul of Black Broadway with Tim Wright – Online Art Lecture
July 9 – Aug. 28, No Cost ($5 suggested donation)
Different Strokes – Members Exhibition
Ongoing, Cost Varies
Classes and Workshops for all Ages and Abilities,
Onsite, Online or Outside
Sign Up Now!
Summer Arts Camp Grades 1 – 7 (Sessions July 1 – July 30)
Musical Theatre Intensive Camp at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre for Grades 7 – 12 (Sessions July 5 – 30)
#REDEVELOPMENTWORKS
Stay connected and learn more about your CRA!
This press release was produced by Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.