Top 5 things to do this weekend in Lee County: Art Walk, Metallica tribute, TGIM and more
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including Art Walk and Metallica tribute band Hardwired.
Lee County’s COVID-19 community level is currently ranked as high, according to the CDC. Masks are recommended indoors and on public transportation, plus staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Got anything cool happening next weekend or later? Email me the details at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. Fort Myers Art Walk
The monthly event features new art exhibits at downtown Fort Myers galleries, receptions, live music and art vendors outside on First Street. September’s exhibits include DAAS CO-OP’s “Paper Garden,” a group show featuring works on paper depicting flowers and plants; and an exhibit of Surrealist art by Julio Figueroa-Beltrán at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (pictured). 6-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. Free. Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/fortmyersartwalk
Concert news: Brantley Gilbert, Jelly Roll heading to Hertz Arena.
New at Cultural Park: Cheaper tickets, more big changes at Cape Coral theater
2. Metallica tribute Hardwired
The tribute band returns for another headbanging Southwest Florida show. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. $18 for general admission, $35 for reserved seating (plus applicable taxes and fees). The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers
3. Cool & Crispy Fest
Point Ybel’s second annual festival creates an outdoor oasis with water guns, fans, misters, food trucks, live music, ax throwing and lots of “crispy” beer. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. Free. Point Ybel Brewing Co., 16120 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers. 603-6535 or facebook.com/PointYbelBrew
4. T.G.I.M (Thank God It's Monday)
Co-hosts Eric Raddatz and Melissa DeHaven emcee this monthly event with screenings of short independent films being considered for the annual Fort Myers Film Festival. After watching each film, the hosts, celebrity judges and audience chat and help determine if it makes it into the big fest. An afterparty follows at Blu Sushi. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5, and the show starts at 7 p.m. $10 for adults ($8 for seniors and students). Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
5. “The Odd Couple (Female Version)”
Cape Coral’s newest theater opens its first mainstage season with the all-female version of the classic Neil Simon comedy. Sept. 2-11. $27.50 ($10 for students). The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Suite 135, in The Towers at Santa Barbara shopping center, Cape Coral. 471-6056 or thebelletheatre.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
“Nature’s Blueprint: Biomimicry in Art and Design”: This touring exhibit shows how nature inspires the design of everything from rain coats to skyscrapers. Sept. 2-Oct. 20. Free. Center for Visual Arts Bonita Springs, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org
Pine Island Labor Day Helping Paws Food and Supply Drive: Yard Dog Charlie plays more of his "Florida swamp music" for this annual Labor Day event that includes a food and supply drive for Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary. 2-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5. Free. Bert’s Bar, 4271 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. bertsbar.com
Zeta: The Venezuela-born experimental punk band returns to Cape Coral to open its fall tour at Nice Guys. Yr Glow opens. 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 (doors open at 8 p.m.). $7. Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral. 549-7542 or facebook.com/NiceGuysPizza
LOOKING AHEAD
Funny Shorts Live!: This ongoing series features fully performed, humorous short plays. Many of the plays have appeared in the center’s annual Stage It! 10-Minute Plays competition and festival. The show’s title has two meanings, as well: The audience member wearing the funniest shorts gets free tickets. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9. $25. Moe Auditorium & Film Center at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org
Patriot Day: Punta Gorda blues-rock kid Champ Jaxon was 11 when he appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2021. Now he’s performing at this patriotic fundraiser that includes food trucks, vendors, raffles and giveaways. The event benefits Florida nonprofit The Grateful Veteran, which helps veterans with pain and PTSD find alternatives to pharmaceutical-based treatment, including medical marijuana. 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. $15-$20 ($40-$55 for VIP). Buddha LIVE, 12701 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 246-1246 or thebuddhalive.com
Never Forget Fest: An outdoor festival honoring first responders who died on 9/11 with live music, vendors, raffles and more — all raising money for the Tunnel To Towers Foundation. Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. $5. Ralph’s Place, 1305 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral. 549-2040 or facebook.com/RalphsPlacecc
The FIXX: The ‘80s rockers play the first major concert at downtown Fort Myers’ new Caloosa Sound Amphitheater. The FIXX’s hits include “Saved By Zero” and “One Thing Leads to Another.” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. Tickets are free, but they must be reserved in advance online. VIP tickets are also available. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. CaloosaSoundAmp.com
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers, Cape Coral things to do: Art Walk, Metallica tribute, more
