What To Do the week of April 10-16, 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, April 10

Yoga by the River, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
Step away from the gadgets and enjoy the moment in this all-levels yoga class. 10 a.m. Monday. $20. Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-334-7419, edisonfordwinterestates.org

Tuesday, April 11

"Island Love Stories" artist talk, Captiva Civic Association, Captiva Island
Local artist Rob Hoovis will give a talk about his photography in the show, "Island Love Stories," a collection of photos showcasing the islands of Southwest Florida. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Captiva Civic Association 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva, ccaptiva.org

Wednesday, April 12

Rising and Falling Water: A history of the Calusa, Calusa Nature Center, Fort Myers
Learn more about the Calusa and their connection to Southwest Florida in this special speaker series. 7 p.m. Wednesday. $15. Calusa Nature Center, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, calusanature.com

Thursday, April 13

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel
Celebrate the reopening of J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy Wildlife Drive 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Stop in the Visitor Center 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday. Refuge open Saturday through Thursday. Closed Fridays. $10 entry per car for Wildlife Drive. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-1100, fws.gov/dingdarling

Friday, April 14

Exhibit reception for "Wilderscapes" and "Ring of Fire," Cape Coral Art Center, Cape Coral
Enjoy an evening of art as The Cape Coral Art Center celebrates two exhibits. Meet the artists, tour the gallery and enjoy light refreshments. "Wilderscapes" will be on display through April 27. "Ring of Fire" will be on display through May 25. 5-7 p.m. Friday. Free. Cape Coral Art Center, 4533 Coronado Pkwy., Cape Coral, facebook.com/capecoralartcenter

Saturday, April 15

BBQ, Bands & Brew, Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, Fort Myers
Try the best local barbecue and brews while enjoying live music, vendors and fun and games for the whole family. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. $10 admission, free for ages 12 and under. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Dr., Fort Myers, bbqbandsandbrew.com

Sunday, April 16

Brewga, Fort Myers Brewing, Fort Myers
Start your Sunday with a little yoga and your favorite brew. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. $15. Fort Myers Brewing, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Fort Myers, 239-313-6576, eventbrite.com

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. $39-$49, Adventures in Paradise, 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, 239-472-8443, adventuresinparadiseinc.com

Lakes Park Miniature Train, Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers
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 five 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

Yoga at the Westin, The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, Cape Coral
Release tension, stretch the body and relax the mind with waterfront views. 8-9 a.m. Saturdays. $10, proceeds benefit the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, marriot.com/thewestincapecoralresortatmarinavillage

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

• Classical painting, April 11
• Wednesday night market, April 12
• Pet portraits, April 12
• Free family art lab, April 15
• Exhibit: The Future of Art, student exhibit, through April 29

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

Americana Community Music Association, Fort Myers

• ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, Karen Cohen, Dan Philgreen, Bruce Gallant, April 11

Fort Myers Regional Library, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers, 239-278-4422, americanacma.org

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers

• "Sister Act," April 14-May 20

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

Centers for the Arts, Bonita Springs

• Film for Film Lovers: "I Carry You With Me," April 10
• Performance: Compton & Bennett -  Cracker at the Ritz, April 11
• Stage 2 Improv, April 13
• "Footloose," April 14-16

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

Florida Rep, Fort Myers

• "Broadway Cabaret," through April 22
• "Ring of Fire," through April 23

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

Gulf Coast Symphony, Fort Myers

• "Nunsense," April 13-29

Gulf Coast Symphony, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers, 239-277-1700, gulfcoastsymphony.org

Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Fort Myers

• "Murder Most Elite," through June 4

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

Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, downtown Fort Myers

• Own the Platform, April 12
• Latin night with DJ JC, April 13
• Retro Rooftop Dance Party, April 14
• Fort Myers High School International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Exhibition, through April 28
• Exhibit: Sounds & Color, through April 28

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

The Belle Theatre, Cape Coral

• "Cinderella," April 14-30

The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 239-323-5533, thebelletheatre

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers

• "Pass Over," through April 16

The Lab Theater, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers, 239-218-0458, 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