Best Bets: June 2, 2006

TODAY

'School's Out for Summer'

A party for students in grades six through 12 takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the South Beach pedestrian access, Marco Island. Local band Lost Cause will perform, and there will be music and games. Free admission. Information: 642-0575

The Bellamy Brothers

The pioneering country rockers, known for hits such as "Let Your Love Flow" and "For All the Wrong Reasons," will perform at 8 p.m. today at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. $30. Information: 597-1900 or www.thephil.org

SATURDAY

Boomer Idol finals

Ten local singers age 55 and over will compete for a $1,000 prize at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Coastland Center, in the courtyard in front of J.C. Penney, 1900 U.S. 41, Naples. Free admission. Information: 262-7100

Skunk Ape Festival

The 4th annual festival, featuring memorabilia and testimonials about the legendary Bigfoot-like creature of the Everglades, begins at 3 p.m. Saturday. The event also includes swamp buggy rides, starting at 3, and live music, starting at 4:30 and continuing into the night. When the party winds down, a drum circle will begin. The event takes place at Trail Lakes Campground on the Big Cypress National Preserve off U.S. 41 East in Ochopee, about 35 miles east of Naples. Admission is $20 per person, which includes camping. Bring coolers and lawn chairs. Information: 695-2275 or www.skunkape.info

SATURDAY and SUNDAY

Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival

A variety of activities celebrating the bays, rivers, backwaters of Lee County's Great Calusa Blueway will be taking place throughout the Pine Island area on Saturday and Sunday. Most will be based at Matlacha Community Center, 4577 Pine Island Road N.W. Dozens of fishing seminars and kayak workshops, many of them free, as well as kayak tours, boat excursions and guided walks, are scheduled throughout both days.

For a detailed schedule, go online to www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, kids' activities include crafts, games, a kayak race and a touch tank from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. At 9 a.m. Sunday, the Paddle of the Pass race includes both a 4-mile recreational course and a 10-mile competitive course along the Blueway through Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass. For information and registration, call (239) 461-7440. Free parking at the United Methodist Church and Phillips Park at Pine Island Center with shuttle service to the festival. Information: (239) 461-7400 or www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com

SUNDAY

'Da Vinci Code' discussion

Peg Kaiser, an instructor with the Renaissance Academy of Florida Gulf Coast University, will lead a talk at 1 p.m. Sunday at Borders Books Music Movies & Café, 10600 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Free. Information: 596-7199

Country Jamboree

Naples Country Music Club hosts a jamboree from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at VFW Post 7721, 800 Neff's Way, Naples. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for members and VFW members and free for performers and children under 12. Information: 495-1109 or 455-2649

Jazz at the Norris Center

Naples Jazz Masters will perform from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Norris Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. Admission is $10. Information: 213-3058

Festival of Great Organ Music

Classi orchestral organ works from all periods of music history will be performed on the Philharmonic Center's 3,604-pipe Casavant organ. The concert features resident organist James Cochran and members of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, 3 p.m. Sunday at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Tickets are $20 ($8 for students). Information: 597-1900 or www.thephil.org