Best Bets: June 23, 2006

TODAY through SUNDAY

'Rock Around the Block'

KidzAct, the Naples Players Youth Theatre program, stages this 1950s musical extravaganza at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. today and Sunday at the Tobye Studio of the Sugden Community Theatre, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Information: 263-7990

SATURDAY

Marco Island Kite Festival

This free event, which includes a contest for the most unique kite as well as music and refreshments, takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island. Bring your own kite or make one with free supplies from the Art League of Marco Island.

'Pink Panther'

The feature film starring Steve Martin as Inspector Clousseau will be shown at a free outdoor family movie night beginning at sunset Saturday at Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Information: 213-3058

Art show

A reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday for a multi-artist show featuring photographer Jake Michell's "Life in the Everglades," abstract landscape expressionist Christine Noonan's "the Everglades," and photographic artist Russ Morrison. The exhibit can be seen through June 30 at the The Bean, Marketplace Shopping Center, 8803 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Information: 594-0088

MONDAY

Hotel history

Larry Wiggins, a 10th-generation Floridian, will talk about the history of the Royal Palm Hotel that was built in the late 1890's and demolished in 1947 in downtown Fort Myers, 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 26, Southwest Florida Museum of History, 2300 Peck St., Fort Myers. Sponsored by the Renaissance Academy. $12, Renaissance members; $15, others. Information: 590-1095

TUESDAY

Minute to mighty

Children 6-10 can discover the array of creatures within the Rookery Bay Reserve from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Rookery Bay Environmental Center is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. The cost is $15; registration is required. Information: www.rookerybay.org or 417-6310, ext. 401

CONTINUING

'Smokey Joe's Cafe'

The Naples Players' production of this Broadway musical revue, featuring Leiber and Stoller's hit songs from the 1950s and '60s, opens today at Sugden Community Theatre's Blackburn Hall. Performances take place at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m Sundays, through July 29. The theater is located at 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students 18 and younger. Information: 263-7990 or www.naplesplayers.org

Museum discounts

The Southwest Florida Museum of History is offering half-price admission for adults and the Imaginarium Hands-on Museum is offering the same for Florida residents through June 30. The museums are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, 2300 Peck St., Fort Myers. $9.50 adults; $4, children 4-12. Information: (239) 332-5955

'The Sound of Music'

The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is staging Rodgers and Hammerstein's story of the von Trapp family. Shows take place at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (with dinner at 6 p.m.); 1:15 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays (with lunch at 11:45 a.m.); and at 7 p.m. Sundays (with dinner at 5:30 p.m.) through Aug. 12. The theater is located at Broadway Palm Square, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Tickets are $41 for matinees, $45 on Sunday-Friday evenings, $48 on Saturday evenings, $25 for the show only and $21 for children 12 and younger. Information: (239) 278-4422.

'Abstract Expressionism'

This juried multi-medium fine art exhibit features works by the league's member artists in addition to members of the Art Council of Southwest Florida and Collier County Resident Artists. The show includes a multitude of mediums, including paintings in oils, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, collage and mixed media; sculptures in clay, stone, acrylic, metal, wood, paper, fiber and basketry; and an assortment of glass, pottery, photography, batik, colored pencil, pen & ink and etchings. The exhibit can be seen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through July 14 at the Lauritzen/Rush Galleries of the Art League of Marco Island, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. Free admission. Information: 394-4221