Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, includinga Bob Dylan tribute concert and the wrestling stars of the WWE SuperShow.
Plus we look at what's ahead in the coming weeks: The annual Songwriters 4 Vets concert, a Fringe Fort Myers fundraiser show and more.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. WWE SuperShow at Hertz Arena
The WWE's summer tour returns to Hertz Arena with some of its top wrestling stars, including Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, The Bloodline, Sami Zayn, a championship match between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles and a triple-threat match with Seth Rollins, Gunther and Damian Priest. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. $30-$215. Parking on site is $30 plus taxes and fees. Parking off-site is free at next-door Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 orhertzarena.com
2. Agatha Christie murder mystery 'The Mousetrap'
Agatha Christie’s classic, edge-of-your-seat whodunit is the world’s longest-running play. Seven strangers find themselves stranded in a remote country guesthouse during a snow storm — and one of them is a murderer. Aug. 16-Sept. 21. $60-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
3. ACMA Bob Dylan tribute show in Fort Myers
Performers from the Americana Community Music Association take on the songs of Bob Dylan in this fundraiser for ACMA's home, All Faiths Unitarian Church. Prizes will be handed out for best Bob Dylan look-alike and the performer who plays the most recent Dylan song. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $10. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org
4. Community Day at IMAG History & Science Center
Get half-off normal admission at this annual IMAG event. Activities include children’s crafts, animal shows, science shows, hurricane-preparedness seminars with NBC-2 meteorologists and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. Half-price admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.50 for college students and children ages 3-18 (free for younger). IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, downtown Fort Myers. 243-0043 ortheimag.org
5. Ben Allen Band fundraiser for Cape Coral Animal Shelter
Popular Southwest Florida country act Ben Allen Band plays to raise money for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. The night also includes raffles, prizes, a pet-adoption drive and the restaurant's full menu and bar. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. $20. Nauti Parrot Oasis, 17200 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. https://tinyurl.com/3x7r7823
MORE THINGS TO DO
Singer/Songwriter Competition at Davis Art Center
The eighth-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. 16. $10-$15. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers.333-1933 orsbdac.com
Frank Sinatra tribute show 'My Way' at Players Circle
Last chance to see this tribute show that transforms Players Circle Theater into a 1940’s-style nightclub. Four singers and a jazz trio celebrate the hits of Frank Sinatra, including “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “New York, New York.” Now through Sunday, Aug. 18. $35-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
The Modern Bridal Expo Southwest Florida
The wedding extravaganza returns with a 2:30 p.m. fashion show, more than 40 vendors, entertainment, catering and cake samples, and more. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.Admission is $5 online, $10 at the door. The Club at Grandézza, 11481 Grande Oak Blvd., Estero. southerneventproductionsfl.com
Struggle Jennings at The Ranch
The Nashville-born country rapper is the grandson of outlaw-country legend Waylon Jennings. He's scored several hits with superstar country artist Jelly Roll, including "Fall In the Fall," "Cowboys" and "My Only Enemy." 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25 for general admission, $65 for reserved seating (plus taxes and fees). The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
LOOKING AHEAD
William S. Burroughs and Laurie Anderson exhibit at FSW
New exhibit "Language Is A Virus" pairs literary giant William S. Burroughs ("Naked Lunch," "Junkie") and pioneering avant-garde artist/musician Laurie Anderson (“O Superman") for the first time, according to the Rauschenberg Gallery. Anderson and Burroughs, who died in 1997, were friends and collaborators. The exhibit explores language as "a transformative force, a carrier of ideas and a potential weapon." It features works on paper, unique manuscripts/publications, personal artifacts, handwritten lyrics and never-before-seen original paintings blasted by shotgun and “bowling ball canon." Opens Monday, Aug. 19 and continues through Dec. 7. Free. No opening reception scheduled. Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway S.W., Building L, south Fort Myers. 489-9313 or rauschenberggallery.com
Songwriters 4 Vets concert in Bonita Springs
Nashville songwriters return for another Southwest Florida concert raising money for military veterans through the Songwriters for Vets foundation. They’ll perform and tell the stories behind their songs. The lineup includes Wyatt Durrette, Channing Wilson, Patrick Davis, Eric Paslay and Levi Lowrey. 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. $125 for a single seat, $375 for a table for four. VIP packages also available. The Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs.songwriters4vets.com
Southwest Florida Regional Blues Challenge
The Blues Challenge returns to Southwest Florida with local blues acts competing for a chance to move on to the main event next year in Memphis: The International Blues Challenge, where several hundred blues bands from around the world compete for prizes and potential blues stardom. The Fort Myers event is organized by the Southwest Florida Blues Society. 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. Doors open at noon. $10-$20. Mango Rita's Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 11, south Fort Myers.swfbs.org
Bonita Springs Pride Pageant
Bonita Springs gets its first-ever LGBTQ pride pageant in this fundraiser for the upcoming Bonita Springs Pride event Sept. 28. Participants compete to win the titles of Mr., Miss and Mx. Bonita Springs Pride. Competition categories include "crowning wear" (what they'd wear if they were crowned), talent and Q&A. Organizers say the event is designed to "spotlight the beauty, talent, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals while fostering inclusivity and support within the Bonita Springs community." 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. $13. Ceremony Brewing, 10441 Packinghouse Lane, Bonita Springs. bonitaspringspride.org
Fringe Fort Myers fundraiser show: 'Stabilized Not Controlled'
Fringe-festival regular Frank Blocker performs this edgy one-man play to raise money for Fringe Fort Myers, the annual event featuring comedians, dancers, theatrical acts and more. The actor's decision came after Gov. Ron DeSantis cited "sexualized" fringe fests as the reason why he slashed arts grants for all Florida arts groups this year. Blocker says only a fraction of fringe offerings include adult material, however, and the events are usually big economy boosters in their respective cities. The adult-oriented "Stabilized Not Controlled" follows the battle between an evil landlord and his arch nemesis, an elderly sex addict in recovery. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug 30. $15-$30. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.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 atcrunnells@gannett.com.
Follow or message him on social media:Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
