What To Do the week of Jan. 9-15, 2023

Each Monday, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) lets you know What To Do in Fort Myers and surrounding neighborhoods.

Let us know: Events, along with high-res images, can be submitted for consideration by emailing Miriam Dotson, VCB communications manager. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday before the week of publication. Thank you!

Industry partners: Please be advised the QR code flyer below has been updated and will need to be reprinted for your display.

Monday, Jan. 9

Alligator Interaction Experience, Wonder Gardens, Bonita Springs
Join the animal care and education staff for a mid-day feeding of the American Alligators. 12:30 p.m. Monday. $25. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, 239-992-2591, wondergardens.org

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Songwriters on the Plaza, Fort Myers Regional Library, Fort Myers
Bill Metts, Ray Cerbone and Ralph Leesberg take the outdoor stage in this concert series featuring original music by local artists. The Fort Myers Regional Library has joined with the Americana Community Music Association to provide free monthly concerts. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers, 239-691-4069, americanacma.org

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Refuge Cleanup, J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island
Join a refuge ranger and work together to clean up debris left behind from Hurricane Ian. This event is part of the refuge's Wellness Wednesday as you will talk about the benefits of being active and spending time in nature. The refuge will provide gloves, bags and grabbers. 9 a.m.-noon. Wednesday. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, 239-218-9270, Register at eventbrite.com

Thursday, Jan. 12

Guided Meditation, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers
Direct your attention and intentions inward during this guided meditation in the stillness of the Slough. 9-10 a.m. Thursday. $10, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Interpretive Center, 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-533-7555, leeparks.org

Friday, Jan. 13

Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Enjoy legendary recording artist, Johnny Mathis as he celebrates his 67th year in the music business. 8 p.m. Friday. Ticket prices vary. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Pkwy., Fort Myers. 239-481-4849, bbmannpah.com 

Saturday, Jan. 14

Bacon Jam, Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, Fort Myers 
Enjoy bacon-based dishes from local restaurants and food trucks. This kid-friendly festival also features live music and local vendors. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. $10 general admission. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Dr., Fort Myers, eventbrite.com

Saturday, Jan. 14 - Sunday, Jan. 15

Cape Coral Art Festival & Market Place, downtown Cape Coral
The art festival includes ceramic, glass, jewelry, photography, digital and much more. Shop the stores, restaurants and vendors along Cape Coral Parkway and enjoy the art from students of Lee County. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. 1209 Cape Coral Pkwy. E., Cape Coral, capecoralfestival.com

Sunday, Jan. 15

Shangri-L'art Sunday Market, Shangri-La Springs, Bonita Springs
Shangri-La Springs introduces this special market showcasing local artisans, live music, local food trucks, fresh vegetables from Shangri-La Springs' certified organic garden and more. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday.  Shangri-La Springs, 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 239-949-0749, shangrilasprings.com

Ongoing events

ECHO Global Farm Tours, North Fort Myers
Experience farming and gardening at its most creative, with unique demonstrations, plants and techniques being used to help farming families around the world. ECHO is also home to one of the largest collections of tropical food plants in the U.S. Guided walking tours are 90 minutes, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday. ECHO Global Farm, 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers, 239-543-3246, echonet.org

Butterfly House tours, Monday, Friday and Saturday, Cape Coral
The Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House is home to many native Florida butterfly species, including the zebra longwing, the state butterfly. Guides explain the different butterflies, their caterpillars and host plants. Donations are accepted. 10:30 a.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday. Rotary Park, 1340-1372 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, 239-549-4606, ccfriendsofwildlife.org/tom-allen-memorial-butterfly-garden

True Tours, River District History Tours, Fort Myers
This Fort Myers walking tour educates and entertains with narratives of local history and acquaints you with the colorful personalities of founders of Fort Myers. Tour at 10:30 a.m. each first and third Saturday of the month. Haunted History tour available Wednesday and Saturday at 8 p.m. True Tours, 2200 First St., Fort Myers, 239-945-0405, truetours.net

Performing arts and exhibits

Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers

• Wednesday Night Market, Jan. 11
• Exhibit: Changing Direction - National Association of Women Artists, through Jan. 26

Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-939-2787, artinlee.org

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers

• "Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off," Jan. 12-Feb. 18
• "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," through Feb.11

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com 

Centers for the Arts, Bonita Springs

• Films for Film Lovers: "Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, Jan. 9
• Bonita Springs National Art Festival, Jan. 14-15

Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, 239-495-8989, artcenterbonita.org/performances

Cultural Park Theater, Cape Coral

• "The Sound of Music," Jan. 12-22

Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-772-5862, culturalparktheater.com

Florida Rep, downtown Fort Myers

• "Freud's Last Session," through Jan. 15

Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, 239-332-4488, floridarep.org

Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Fort Myers

• "Two for Flinchin,' " through March 26

Murder Mystery Dinner Train, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-275-8487, semgulf.com

Players Circle Theater, North Fort Myers

• "Admissions," through Jan. 22

Players Circle Theater at the Shell Factory, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers, 239-800-3292, playerscircletheater.com

Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, downtown Fort Myers

• Famous Author Lecture and Lunch Series: Lisa Unger, Jan. 9
• Own the Platform, Jan. 11
• Latin Night with DJ JC, Jan. 12
• Trio Zimbalist, Jan. 13
• Exhibit: Paint Slinger, through Jan. 25
• Exhibit: shhh ... quiet, through Jan. 25

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 239-333-1933, sbdac.com

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, downtown Fort Myers

• "Sistas: The Musical," through Jan. 14

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers, 239-218-0481, laboratorytheaterflorida.com

Podcasts

Shellcast, the award-winning podcast of the Lee County VCB

Listen in, soak up some virtual sun and hear what makes Southwest Florida so special. Shellcast is available wherever fine podcasts are downloaded and at VisitFortMyers.com/shellcast

The Sanibel Captiva Guide Podcast

Sanibel residents Nick and Lori Adams, and son Max, interview the people who make Sanibel and Captiva special. They celebrate the history and experiences of the islands. thesancapguide.com/category/podcast

Otocast audio guide features Fort Myers historic sites

Available in the App Store and Google Play, Otocast features a tour of more than 30 historic sites in Fort Myers. otocast.com