The Arts - The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

Art is alive on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

LEE COUNTY, FL – From dinner theatre and Broadway productions to museums and festivals of fine arts and crafts, the world of art and entertainment is more lively than ever on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida.

"Cultural and artistic enrichment opportunities for everyone – children, adults and families – are abundant in the Fort Myers/Sanibel area," said Suya Davenport, executive director of the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. "We are so fortunate to be living in an area that focuses on the best in life, including the arts. That’s what makes this the perfect place to visit any time of the year."

The Lee County Alliance for the Arts is based in the 12,000-square-foot William R. Frizzell Cultural Centre, which encompasses an exhibition gallery, the 200-seat Claiborne & Ned Foulds Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater and art education classrooms.

The facility plays a lead role in enhancing the availability of visual and performing arts in Lee County. The Frizzell Cultural Centre is home to Theatre Conspiracy, a professional equity theater group, as well as The Film Society of Southwest Florida, the Southwest Florida Historical Society, and Lee County Art in Public Places. Many festivals call the Alliance home. Popular gatherings include the Art Royale, Walk Thru the Arts, India Festival, Israel Independence Day, Irish Heritage Society and Jazz Alliance.

For a schedule of the cultural activities taking place at the Lee County Alliance for the Arts, write 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919, call (239) 939-2787 or visit www.artinlee.org.

The Arcade Theatre, a renovated 393-seat Victorian playhouse built in 1908 in downtown Fort Myers, combines "early Florida" charm with 21st century technology. Audiences are treated to live theater, dance and music of every variety.

Lee County’s professional Florida Repertory Theatre produces award-winning dramas and comedies year-round, even winning first regional rights for New York hit plays. The Arcade Theatre also serves as a stellar setting for the Florida Rep’s new playwright series, as well as for local groups who stage their own productions.

For more information and upcoming events at the Arcade Theatre, 2267 First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, please call (239) 332-4488 or visit www.floridarep.org.

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall includes a full-scale sound system and expanded infrared headsets for the hearing impaired and glass elevators off of a grand lobby. Located on the campus of Edison Community College and the University of South Florida in Fort Myers, the hall hosts national Broadway productions, world-renowned entertainers, dance performances and popular and classical music concerts year-round.

For a schedule of performances appearing at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 8099 College Pkwy., S.W. in Fort Myers, FL 33919, please call (239) 481-4849 for the box office or visit www.bbmannpah.com. Handicapped accessible.*

Adjoining the Barbara B. Mann Hall, the Edison Community College Gallery of Fine Art exhibits works of nationally and internationally renowned artists. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. For gallery information, call (239) 489-9313.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is Fort Myers’ dining and entertainment showplace. Year-round ‘dinnertainment’ tickets inside the theatre include a sumptuous buffet with garden fresh salad bar, hot entrees and side dishes, and lavish dessert tables. After eating, patrons sit back, relax and enjoy a full-length, professional Broadway-style, live theatrical performance. The Playbill Bar offers a pre-dinner or post-show cocktail. Across the hall, the intimate 100-seat Cafe Cabaret restaurant whips up innovative menus with a theatrical theme.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is open for dinner, Tuesday through Sunday at 6 p.m., followed by showtimes at 8 p.m. Matinee days vary. Ticket prices for the "show only" or for the dinner package range from $21 to $44 per person. Children’s and group prices are available. Handicapped accessible.* Find the theatre at 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907.
To make reservations, please call (239) 278-4422 or visit www.broadwaypalm.com.

Cultural Park is the fine arts center in Cape Coral. Its campus is home to the Cultural Park Theatre Company, Cape Coral Arts League, Cape Coral Historical Museum and Cape Coral Council of Arts and Humanities.

This friendly community space treats residents and visitors to rotating fine arts gallery exhibits, musicals, plays, concerts, classes and workshops, special events, recitals and rental space for meetings. A public conference room seats up to 14 people. Every one of the 189 seats in the theater auditorium benefits by state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The theater also is available to rent for community events.

"Arts and culture are vital elements in the quality of our lives. They must be nurtured and encouraged to grow because they benefit everyone," said Marilyn Graboes, past-president of the Cultural Park Theatre board.

For upcoming events, ticket prices or rental fees, please contact the Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33990. Call (239) 772-5862 or visit www.culturalparktheatre.org.

BIG ARTS is a non-profit arts and culture organization that presents musical concerts, art exhibits, an annual art fair, distinguished speakers forum, workshops and classes and other community programs. This active community center is located at 900 Dunlop Rd., Sanibel, FL 33957. Please call (239) 395-0900 or visit www.bigarts.org for current programs.

The Old Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island was built in 1894 as a one-room schoolhouse. Rich in local history, it was transformed into a cozy playhouse for quality community theater by islanders Ruth and Philip Hunter and has been in operation since 1964.

The resident performing troupe is J.T. Smith’s Encore Productions. Professional musical revues run October through August. Call (239) 472-6862 for a schedule of Old Schoolhouse Theater performances at 1905 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Or visit www.oldschoolhousetheater.com.

Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Lee County’s only professional symphony orchestra, plays classical and pops series and special-demand performances at Fort Myers’ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. They also present a chamber orchestra series at BIG ARTS’ Schein Performing Arts Hall on Sanibel Island. A new Stained Glass series fills area churches with graceful music. For upcoming performances, please call (239) 418-1500 or visit www.swflso.org.

For a schedule of current Lee County art and cultural events, festivals, and performances, see "Entertainment & Events" at www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

Note: *Please call for specifics regarding handicapped accessibility.