WOW To Do List: Art open house, more
SEPTEMBER
‘Dames at Sea’
Select dates Wednesday through Sunday, now through Nov. 2, at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Tuesday performances available after October. Tickets range $42 to $62. Broadwaypalm.com. 239-278-4422.
More:3 To Do: Back to nature, 'Hope'
More:3 To Know: Nominations sought
Bewery Bus Tour
Southwest Florida’s three southernmost breweries are opening their doors to craft beer fans on this brewery bus tour. Tickets range from $25 to $60 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Palm City Brewing, 7887 Drew Circle, Suite 130, Fort Myers.
Comedian Sheryl Underwood
Sheryl Underwood, cohost of “The Talk” is bringing her comedy routine to Off the Hook Comedy Club in Naples this weekend at 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 1100, Naples. Visit Offthehookcomedy.com for tickets and information.
Art open house
Every first Friday of the month, the Local Color Art Gallery holds its monthly open house from 5-7 p.m. Located at the Shops of Olde Marco, the gallery exhibits the artwork of several local artists. The next one is Oct. 4.
OCTOBER
Three Special Events for the Jewish New Year
The local Jewish community is sponsoring three notable spiritual experiences in upcoming weeks, associated with the advent of the New Year on the Hebrew calendar. A Tashlich ceremony at JCMI will be conducted by Rabbi Gross and Cantorial Soloist Jacobsen at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1. Oct. 4 marks Shabbat Shuvah, “the Sabbath of Return,” the dramatic midpoint of the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur. Worship at 7:30 that Friday night will feature some of the characteristic melodies of the High Holy Days, and help mark this Sabbath service as a distinctive occasion with special spiritual significance. In the final run-up to The Day of Atonement, the Congregation will be paying a visit to the Marco Island Cemetery Jewish Garden at 11 a.m., Oct. 6. The cemetery is at the southwest corner of Bald Eagle and West Elkcam. All other New Year programs convene at the Synagogue, 991 Winterberry Drive. For more information, including scheduling of all New Year programs and events, or to secure a seat for Yom Kippur worship, call 239-642-0800 or see our website www.marcojcmi.com.
‘The Great Gatsby’
Wednesdays through Sundays Oct. 2 through 27, at the Sugden Community Theater, 701 5th Avenue South, Naples. The Great Gatsby is a contemporary stage adaptation of the classic Jazz-Era American Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. $40 per person. 239-263-7990. naplesplayers.org.
The Common Good Conference
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 777 Mooring Line Drive, Naples. A Church for Monday: The Common Good Conference is a one-day, multi-site gathering to help equip and encourage attendees to more thoughtfully connect their faith and their work, embrace God’s calling in all aspects of life, and explore ways the Church can be a faithful presence in our communities. This conference is opened to the public and will include local and national speakers. Tickets are $39 until Sept. 15 and $59 after this date. Information: 239-596-7990, commongoodconference.com.
Dick Shanahan Memorial Golf Tournament
The Marco Police Foundation will host its annual Dick Shanahan Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 5. The “four-player scramble” event will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and a “shotgun” start at 8:30. Golfers will gather after the competition for lunch and prizes around 1 p.m. This year’s tournament again takes place at the Island Country Country Club on Marco Island. Those wishing to play in the tournament ($150 per player) or purchase hole sponsorships ($100) can contact Joe Granda at 389-2823, Curt Koon at 389-4511, or e-mail CofCJs@PalsPlaces.com. The Marco Island Police Foundation is a community-base, nonpolitical, civic-minded, charitable organization that work closely with Marco Island Police Department.
Auditions
Auditions for “The Golden Charm of Marco Island” will be held at the Mackle Park Community Center from 1 until 3 p.m., Sunday Oct. 6. The production is seeking as many as five men and five women (some double casting is possible; a costume designer, props person, and technical director, as well as other crew to help run the show. Rehearsals will begin in early January, 2020. All cast and crew will receive a stipend of $100 each, as well as several opportunities for additional income. For those who would like to make an appointment or cannot make it to the audition, email sharkeyetheater@gmail.com.
Left Bank Art Fest
First show of the season, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Marco Island YMCA, outdoors in the grassy lot on the corner of San Marco Road and Sandhill Street. Juried artists include photographers, jewelry, paintings, pottery, glass, metal and more. Free admission and parking. Information: 239-290-7927.
World Habitat Day
World Habitat Day, Oct. 7, reminds people of the basic need for adequate shelter. In order to build an adequate shelter for ourselves, we must nurture and support a healthy ecosystem or environment. Visit the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center for buy one get one free entrance on Oct. 7 and find out how Rookery Bay Research Reserve helps keep our estuary ecosystem thriving! Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Essentials of Digital Photography
From 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Oct. 7; $55. If you want to get the best pictures possible, and truly understanding your camera’s features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera's shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Beach cleanup
From 8 until 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at Residents' Beach; sponsored by the Marco Island Civic Association. MICA provides gloves, bags and water. The Marco Chamber provides "trash grabbers" and buckets.
ONGOING
Rookery Bay
Touch, see and explore Southwest Florida’s coastal environment at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. Experience hands-on, interactive exhibits including marine-life touch tanks and habitat displays. Enjoy trails, naturalist-led programs, nature-viewing bridge over the water and more. Kids and adults alike can explore the center and discover the plants, fish and wildlife that call Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s 110,000 acres home. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6-12, and free for kids under 6. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
‘Building A Dream’
Entitled “Building A Dream,” the exhibit is the 25 year history of the Marco Island Historical Society. The exhibit will be on display from now through Sept. 26, in the museum’s Sandlin Gallery thanks, in part, to a generous grant from the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation. The exhibit tells the story of what began as a small-but-passionate friends’ group ultimately resulted in the construction of an award-winning institution now staffed by a team of career professionals. This exhibit celebrates the 25th anniversary of the MIHS by looking back at its history, exploring not only how the organization’s role has changed since its establishment, but also asking the visitor where it goes from here. The museum is located at 180 South Heathwood Drive, Marco Island.
Science Saturdays
Rookery Bay’s Science Saturdays are now year-round and free for kids 12 and under. Different coastal theme each Saturday. Admission $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. Enjoy eco-crafts, a presentation, a featured film and our “Lessons in Laboratories” program from 11-11:45 a.m. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Senior Softball
The Marco Island Senior Softball League has resumed play at Winterberry Park on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Pick-up games are scheduled each of those days at 8:15 a.m. Anybody interested in a friendly game of softball can participate, with all skill levels welcomed. While the minimum age for regular league games is 55, age limits are not strictly enforced for pick-up games. Information: 239-642-2930.
Key Marco Cat
The Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) celebrates its 25th Anniversary with the culmination of their quest to bring home the enigmatic Key Marco Cat and other rare 500 to 1,500-year-old Pre-Columbian Native American artifacts discovered on Marco Island in 1896. The artifacts return on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. They will be showcased in an exhibit at the Marco Island Historical Museum from now through April 2021. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. For information, call 239.389.6447 or visit www.theMIHS.org.
Naturalist-Led Kayak Tours
Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve for a kayak adventure into the beautiful back waters of Rookery Bay Reserve with our exclusive ecotour partner, Rising Tide Explorers! All the guides are active local biologists, certified naturalists and certified kayaking instructors making them the most qualified guides in the region. The whole family can enjoy a memorable and educational adventure into the estuary. With our kayak tours, guests paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphins and manatees! Get out and explore the backwaters Rookery Bay Research Reserve. Visit rookerybay.org to register for tours today. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is located at 300 Tower Road, Naples. Information rookerybay.org or 239-530-5940.
Calling all friends over 60
Join the Marco YMCA and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry for a free lunch the third Wednesday of each month at Marco Lutheran Church. With the support of local restaurants, businesses and sponsors, a luncheon (free of charge) is open to all area residents “60 or better.” Each monthly event includes a time for networking, lunch, a program, and door prizes. Rides are also offered. Information: 706-566-8532.
Lupus support
The Marco/Naples lupus support group meets the third Saturday of each month at Physicians Regional Medical Center, 8300 Collier Blvd, Naples. Meetings are held from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Palm Dining Room. Open to all patients, families and interested parties. Learn to live and cope with Lupus, get current information. Contact Marilyn, 239-398-4800 or Jan, 239-389-2749.
Round Robin Tennis
Round Robin Tennis is available at various times and days for men and women at the Greater Marco Family YMCA, 101 Sand Hill Street, Marco Island. Eight clay courts are available. Round Robins are free to Marco YMCA members and $15 for community participants. Players must register to play in Round Robins. Registration or information: 239-394-3144, ext. 224.
NOVEMBER
Knights' car show
From 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., Nov. 2, the Knights of Columbus Car Show will take place at the San Marco Catholic Church parking lot. The show will have many beautiful cars and a very special vehicle on display, a 2019 Ford GT super car. The show will also have food prepared by the Knights which will include hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage and peppers. The Celtic Spirit Irish dancers will perform and Steve Reynolds will be the guest DJ. Trophies will be awarded in 10 categories. Entry fee for show cars is $20 which includes lunch. Spectator fee is $5. Come out and support the Knights of Columbus who do many things for our community. ALL money collected will be donated to charity
‘Frozen 2’ for Island Theater Company
The box office is open and tickets are currently on sale for the Island Theater Company's production of “Frozen Jr.” and just days before “Frozen 2” comes out in theaters. The cast and crew invites you to join them for a cold trip to the fairytale land of Arendelle, as the story of sisters, Elsa and Anna, unfold in the amazing stage adaptation of "Frozen.” The show will be presented at the Marco Lutheran Church Great Room, 525 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Doors open half-hour prior to performances. Show dates are: November 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Centennial Bank, 615 E. Elkcam Cr. Monday through Friday. They can also be purchased online at www.theateronmarco.com, or at the door 30 minutes prior to each performance. Information: 239-394-0080.
Local Author Book Fair
From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at the South Regional Public Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples. Authors are provided a table where they can display their books, talk with the public and sell their books. There will also be food trucks and activities for the whole family. Free. Information: 239-252-7542, collierlibrary.org.
LATER
Imagination Ball
The American Cancer Society presents “A Celebration for a Cure,” the 2020 Imagination Ball, March 6, at the JW Marriott Marco Island. This celebration of life will feature both live and silent auctions, fine food, music and so much more. The celebration will burst with hope and good cheer as the prestigious Grado Award is presented to Curt and Jacquie Koon of CJ’s on the Bay in honor of their dedication and support of the American Cancer Society. For more information: 239-642-6217 or Sue.Olszak@cancer.org.
For more event listings, navigate to the Entertainment section and click on the WOW To Do List at marconews.com. Calendar items must be emailed to mail@marconews.com and should be submitted at least a week before desired publication.