What To Do the week of Feb. 13-19, 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!

Monday, Feb. 13

Sentimental Journey: A Salute to the War Years on Captiva, Captiva Civic Association, Captiva
The Captiva Island Historical Society presents a video replay of the program, "Salute to the World War II Years on Captiva through Imagery, Narrative and Song." Dessert, wine and beer available. 7 p.m. Monday. $12. Captiva Civic Association, 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva, captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org

Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentine's Day

Cocktail Chemistry Class, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
Learn how to make cocktails while enjoying appetizers, chocolate, music and a sunset view. Cocktails will include locally produced Captiva Spirits vodka and botanicals sourced from the Edison and Ford gardens. 5-7 p.m. Tuesday. $90. Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-334-7419, edisonfordwinterestates.org

Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentine's Day

Bonita Lovers Walk, McSwain House, Bonita Springs
Walk through historic downtown with your local guides and listen to the stories of early Bonita Springs. Visit the historic 1925 McSwain House, Shangri-La Springs and more. Total walk distance is about 2 miles and tour duration is two hours. 10 a.m. Tuesday. $35. Meet at the McSwain House, 27451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, 239-992-6997, bonitaspringshistoricalsociety.org

Wednesday, Feb. 15

"Forever Plaid," Gulf Coast Symphony, Fort Myers
Enjoy classic barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies in this popular musical. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Ticket prices vary. Gulf Coast Symphony, Music and Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers, 239-277-1700, gulfcoastsymphony.org

Thursday, Feb. 16

"Pippin," Cultural Park Theater, Cape Coral
Enjoy opening night of the show, "Pippin," the story of a young prince in search of true happiness and fulfillment. 7 p.m. Thursday. Ticket prices vary, Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-772-5862, culturalparktheater.com

Friday, Feb. 17

Music Walk, Downtown Fort Myers
The river district comes alive every third Friday of the month as local musicians line the streets. 6-10 p.m. Friday. Free. 2247 First St., Fort Myers, myriverdistrict.com

Saturday, Feb. 18

Bonita Brew Fest, Riverside Park, Bonita Springs
Explore new styles and discover your next favorite brew. Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors and a souvenir pint glass. 4-7:30  p.m. Saturday. Ticket prices vary. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs, eventbrite.com

Saturday, Feb. 18

Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Named the largest night parade in the Southeast, this Lee County tradition features local marching bands, floats, clowns and more. 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Parade starts at Fort Myers High School and ends in Downtown Fort Myers. Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, edisonfestival.org

Sunday, Feb. 19

ACMA Concert, All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, Fort Myers
Americana Community Music Association presents a Sunday night show featuring Mare Wakefield and Nomad with opening act Bob Williams. 7 p.m. Sunday. $18. All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-691-4069, americanacma.org

Ongoing events

Adventures in Paradise Cruises and Tours, Fort Myers
Enjoy nightly sunset dolphin and wildlife cruises narrated by a marine biologist. Watch dolphins play and spot various species of birds as you cruise the waters of San Carlos Bay. Sunset cruise is 90 minutes, 5 p.m. nightly. Adventures in Paradise, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, 239-472-8443, adventuresinparadiseinc.com

Lakes Park Miniature Train, Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers
Celebrate the reopening of Lakes Regional Park following Hurricane Ian. The park offers biking and walking trails, a children's garden, paddle boats, sand volleyball courts and daily miniature train rides at the Railroad Museum of Southwest Florida. $5 ages 6 and older. Train rides offered 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends; park hours 7 a.m.-dusk. Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers, 239-267-1905, leeparks.org

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

Guided Walks, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers
This preserve is over 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with a boardwalk trail, butterfly garden and interpretive center. The fully accessible boardwalk is elevated and 1.2 miles long with 5 observation decks. Guided walks along the boardwalk are offered daily at 9:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Total guided walk is 3/4 of a mile and takes about 45 minutes. Registration opens 30 minutes prior to the walk at the boardwalk entrance. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-533-7555, leegov.com

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

• Share the Love: Dueling Pianos, Feb. 14
• Free Family ArtLab, Feb. 18
• Exhibit: Unearthed, through Feb. 25

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

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers

• "Jersey Boys," Feb.17- April 9
• "Just Desserts, A Musical Bake-Off," through Feb. 18

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

Centers for the Arts, Bonita Springs

• Films for Film Lovers: "Summer of Soul," Feb. 13
• Intro. to Abstract Painting, Feb. 13
• Workshop: Layering it up with Oil & Cold Wax, Feb. 14
• Workshop: Contemporary Impressionism, Feb. 16
• Just for Laughs Comedy Show: Valentine's, Feb. 17

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

Florida Rep, downtown Fort Myers

• "The Importance of Being Earnest," through March 5

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

IMAG History & Science Center, Fort Myers

• King Tut Exhibit, through March 31

IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers, 239-243-0043, theimag.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

• "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," through Feb. 26

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

• Thank God It's Monday Film Festival, Feb. 1
• Famous Author Lecture & Lunch, James O. Born, Feb. 13
• Wine & Paint, Feb. 15
• Mersey Beatles - Cavern Club The Early Years, Feb. 16
• Exhibit: Antibodies, through Feb. 24
• Exhibit: Meraki, through Feb. 24

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

The Belle Theatre, Cape Coral

• "The Swearing Jar," Feb. 17-26

The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd. Suite 135, Cape Coral, 239-218-0481, thebelletheatre.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