Lovers of the arts find theater, museums, galleries and more on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

LEE COUNTY, FL--With the sparkling blue Gulf of Mexico, picture-perfect weather and miles of sun-drenched beaches as a backdrop, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel offer a vast selection of theater, music, museums and visual arts experiences for visitors.

Known as a destination for nature lovers, the area is also rich in the arts. From a theater that started in a historical schoolhouse to a quaint fishing village that is an enclave for artists and their works, the arts are thriving. With dinner theaters and Broadway productions to museums and art festivals, there are opportunities for all interests during a vacation in this tropical paradise.

Let us entertain you!

The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers celebrates a star-studded upcoming season with its Broadway productions that include The Beatles Experience: Rain, Sweeny Todd and Fiddler on the Roof. World-renowned entertainers, dance performances and popular and classical music concerts are scheduled year-round. For information about performances and reservations call (239) 481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre celebrates its 16th year in Fort Myers with year-round dinner and theater tickets that include a sumptuous buffet lunch or dinner along with full-length, professional Broadway-style, live theatrical performances. Upcoming 2008 performances include Disney’s High School Musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and more. The 2009 season will include Singin’ in the Rain, All Shook Up, Wedding Singer and Peter Pan. For reservations and show information call (239) 278-4422 or visit www.BroadwayPalm.com.

BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island is a non-profit arts and culture organization that presents musical and dance performances, concerts, live theater, art exhibits, an annual art fair, distinguished speakers forum, workshops, classes and other community programs. For schedules call (239) 395-0900 or visit www.bigarts.org.

The Southwest Florida Symphony has been the area’s professional symphony orchestra since 1961. The symphony performs classical, pops and special performances at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, as well as a chamber orchestra series at Schein Hall at BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island. For upcoming performances and locations call (239) 418-1500 or visit www.swflso.org.

In addition to functioning as a stand-alone gallery with year-round original exhibits of its own, the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers stays in touch with what is happening in the local art community. The signature event, Art Royale, takes place Nov. 22, 2008 and includes interactive art, live music and cuisine. For information on the visual arts, exhibitions, jazz concerts, classes, workshops and The Theatre Conspiracy Company, a professional equity theater group, call (239) 939-2787 or visit www.artinlee.org.

The Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel Island offers visitors professional musical theater and Broadway caliber talent in an intimate atmosphere with 160 seats. Upcoming shows include the musical Forever Plaid Oct. 18-Dec. 1, 2008 and an evening with internationally-known pianist Jon Weber on Dec. 8, 2008. For reservations and a schedule of upcoming performances, call (239)472-6862 or visit www.theschoolhousetheater.com.

The Florida Repertory Theatre presents its award-winning performances in the charming Arcade Theatre, a renovated 1908 Victorian playhouse located downtown in the heart of the Fort Myers River District. Florida Rep is a not-for-profit theatre group formed in 1998 and is a professional Equity company on contract with the Actors' (AEA), Directors' (SSDC) and Designers' (USA) unions and comprised of professional actors, stage managers, directors, designers and technicians. Performances are scheduled year-round. For ticket and show information call (239) 332-4488 or visit www.floridarep.org.

Cultural Park in Cape Coral is home to the The Cultural Park Theatre Company with plays and musical performances by local talent. Celebrating 40 years of performances, the theater season runs September through May and includes Jack and the Beanstalk, Dracula, the Sunshine Boys and much more. For complete schedule and reservations, call (239) 772-5862 or visit www.culturalpark.com.

Put some (fun) art in your vacation!

The tiny and quaint fishing village of Matlacha, on the way to Pine Island, charms visitors with its collection of brightly colored galleries that dot the road leading through this off-beat island. Surrounded by the beautiful water and great sunlight found throughout The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, it is home to painters and sculptors. In addition to providing great gallery-hopping and shopping, from November through April, galleries celebrate arts nights each month.

Don’t miss: Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens where Leoma Lovegrove displays her beautiful and colorful depictions of local creatures and scenes. Visitors also enjoy mailing a coconut postcard (also a work of art) home from this unique gallery that includes paintings, mermaids and glass art (www.leomalovegrove.com). Wild Child Gallery displays works of some 150 southwest Florida artists; Koucky Gallery and Gardens creates the Calusa Indian authentic-style pots that are found at the Heritage Trail Gift Shop. For information and a listing of galleries, call (239) 283-0888 or visit www.pineislandchamber.org or www.artnightonpineisland.com.

At the end of charming Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva Island, gallery hoppers will enjoy strolling along the village paths from gallery to gallery. Pottery, hand painted furniture and paintings by well-know local artists are displayed in quaint galleries. Don’t miss: Jungle Drums (www.jungledrumsgallery.com and Seaweed Gallery (www.seaweedgallery.com). At the Tower Gallery on Sanibel enjoy the black and white photography of the islands by well-known local artist and longtime resident, Charlie McCullough. For a list of artists and their works, visit www.towergallery-sanibel.com.

For visitors in the area during November, don’t miss the ultimate sandcastle! These intricate sculptures at the 22nd Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival Nov. 5-9, 2008, take “playing in the sand" to a whole new level. From nothing more than a beach of sand and 300 gallons of water, about 20 master sculptors erect monuments of elaborate complexity. This popular event attracts more than 65,000 visitors each year and the public is invited to stroll the beach free-of-charge to view this open-air gallery of sand creations that bear little resemblance to those you created as a kid! For more information, call (239) 454-7500. www.sandfestival.com

ArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s premier fine art festival, takes place in downtown Fort Myers in February. The free, two-day celebration of the arts decorates downtown with exceptional artwork, entertainment and children’s art activities (www.artfestfortmyers.com). Bonita Springs national art festivals are held in January and March and feature the artwork of 206 national and international artists (www.artinusa.com/bonita).

College galleries open to the public

The Art Gallery at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For information call (239)-590-7199 or visit www.artgallery.fgcu.edu .

The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Edison College is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday. For information call (239) 489-9313 or visit www.bobrauschenberggallery.com.

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