What to do the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6, 2019
‘Saturday Night Fever,’ Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers Dec. 31, Jan. 2-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-26, 29-31, Feb. 1-3, 5-9 – Based on the 1977 film, a young man from Brooklyn tries to escape his problems and dance his way to a better life. He hits the dance floor every weekend at the discotheque, where he tries to win the admiration of the crowd, and his crush. Ticket prices and times vary, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com
New Year’s Eve Sunset Dolphin Cruise, Fort Myers Dec. 31 – Spend New Year’s Eve aboard a cruise that travels San Carlos Bay. Narrated by the captain and first mate, learn about mangrove islands and estuaries, watch dolphins and seasonal birds. Free soft drinks and water; BYOB is welcome. The cruise departs at 5 p.m. from Dock G at Port Sanibel Marina. Reservations required. $35, 5-6:30 p.m., Adventures in Paradise, Inc., 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, 239-472-8443, adventureinparadiseinc.com
Downtown Countdown, downtown Fort Myers Dec. 31 – The New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Fort Myers features live bands, vendors, food, family fun and a ball drop at midnight. The ball drops at the intersection of Bay and Hendry streets. Free, 8 p.m.-midnight, downtown Fort Myers, fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com
Fort Myers Beach New Year's Eve and Town Birthday Celebration, Fort Myers Beach Dec. 31 – Celebrate the birthday of the Town of Fort Myers Beach and spend New Year’s Eve at Times Square. Live music will play throughout the day. Free cupcakes from noon- 1 p.m. Watch the New Year's ball drop at midnight with fireworks afterwards. The bridge will be closed to oncoming traffic from 12:15-1:15 a.m. during the fireworks show. Free, noon-midnight, Times Square, 830 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-454-7500, fortmyersbeach.org
South Cape New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, Cape Coral Dec. 31 – Ring in 2019 with live music featuring Signal III and Soulixer. Enjoy vendors and food trucks. Watch the ball and beach ball drop at midnight. Free, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, southcapeentertainment.com
‘The Story of Ospreys,’ CROW’s Speaker Series, Sanibel Dec. 31 – The CROW’s Speaker Series covers topics ranging from species specific programs to grassroots conservation initiatives now through April. Claudia Burns, volunteer for the Osprey Foundation, will kick off the series by presenting osprey behavior through photos, video and recorded vocalizations. Next speaker Jan. 7, ‘Eastern Indigo Snake Project.’ $10, $5 ages 13-17, free ages 12 and under, 3:30 p.m. check-in, 4:15-5:15 p.m. program, 239-472-3644 Ext. 229 or [email protected], Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, crowclinic.org/events
Distillery free tours and tastings, Cape Coral Dec. 31 – Wicked Dolphin Distillery offers free tours and tastings. Tours last about 45 minutes. This award-winning family distillery produces rum and vodka. 1 p.m., 2 p.m., to reserve a spot, call or register online, Wicked Dolphin Distillery, 131 SW 3rd Place, Cape Coral, 239-242-5244, wickeddolphin.com
‘Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical,’ Florida Repertory Theatre, downtown Fort Myers Jan. 1-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-27, 29-31, Feb. 1-3, 5-10, 12-15, 17, 19-24 – This new musical follows Rosemary Clooney’s rise to Hollywood stardom and a breakdown that nearly ended her career. The show features over 20 tunes like "Come On-A My House," "Hey There," "Sisters," "Mambo Italiano" and more. Ticket prices and times vary, Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, 239- 332-4488, floridarep.org
Sunset Celebration, Cape Coral Jan. 2 – Celebrate the beauty of a Southwest Florida sunset while listening to live music on the beach. Sunset is approximately 5:48 p.m. Food available for purchase and vendors will sell crafts, jewelry and other gift items. Free, 4-7 p.m., Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, 239-574- 0806, capecoral.net
Songwriters at Sunset, Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach Jan. 3 – Sponsored by Friends of Lovers Key and the Americana Community Music Association, this songwriter showcase features performances by Bill Veach, Alan Bradford and Chakulla. Concerts take place in the large gazebo on the beach. Food and drink available for purchase at the beach barbeque before the concerts. Free with paid park entry fee, 3:45-5:15 p.m., Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-4588, americanacma.org
Art Walk, downtown Fort Myers Jan. 4 – A must-do in the River District social scene happening the first Friday of every month. Visit the many exciting galleries, exhibits and demos plus music, dining and shopping. Free, 6-10 p.m. Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers, fortmyersartwalk.com
Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival, downtown Fort Myers Jan. 4-6 – Inaugural festival includes seafood, live music, arts and crafts. Performers include: Freecoasters, Sarasota Steel Pan Band, The Shindigs, Kettle of Fish, CeCe Teneal & Soul Kamotion, J.P. Soars & The Red Hots, the Bob Marley Tribute Band, the Caribbean Chillers, Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio, the Billy Rice Band and the U.S. Stones. Free, 4-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, on the waterfront in downtown Fort Myers, 941-487-8061, seafoodfestivals.com
Science Saturday – Robots, Drones and Droids…Oh My!, IMAG, Fort Myers Jan. 5 – Explore the world of robotics at the IMAG. Test out Sphero and Ollie droids, assemble a R2D2 droid, construct and race a Legos Mindstorm Rover and learn how to maneuver a mini-drone. Admission fee ($14, $10 ages 4-18, free ages 3 and under), 11 a.m.-2 p.m., IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers, 239-243-0043, theimag.org
Flavors of Matlacha Island Tour, Matlacha Saturdays through April 6 – This adventure combines Matlacha’s commercial fishing history with its colorful artistic charm. Enjoy samples of local fish and other tastes of Matlacha. Bring water, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Reservations required. $18, 10-11:30 a.m., Leoma Studio, 4547 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha, 239-945-0405, truetours.net
Legends of the Past Tour, Captain Bubby’s IsLAND Tours Tuesday, Thursday through March 28 – Join Captain Bubby and visit the fascinating past of Sanibel and Captiva. Learn about the history, lore, and legends of the islands. Tour services include pickup and drop off transportation. Tours can be tailored to specific interests. Reservations required. $60, 1-4 p.m., 239-245-7383, captainbubbys.com
Free crafts for kids, Miromar Outlets, Estero Wednesdays – Toddlers to age 12 can participate in fun activities at WINK Playland. 10 a.m.-noon, Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero, 239-948-3766, miromaroutlets.com
Haunted History Tour and River District History Tour in downtown Fort Myers Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – The Haunted History Tour is a paranormal tour of historic downtown Fort Myers. The River District History Tour acquaints visitors with the colorful personalities of the founders of Fort Myers. Reservations required. $14, Haunted History Tour, 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; $13, River District History Tour, 6 p.m. Thursdays and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. All True Tours Historical Walking Tours begin and end at the Franklin Shops, 2200 First St., downtown Fort Myers, 239-945- 0405, truetours.net