on the gulf
NEWS & PREVIEWS
Immersive Voyage
Under the Sea
at Calusa
Nature Center
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is presenting Sounds of the Ocean, the award-winning immersive experience that blends ambient music, ocean sounds and visuals, and marine conservation storytelling throughout October and November.
An official UN Ocean Decade Activity, the film screenings hope to bring audiences on a moving journey beneath the waves, using real underwater recordings, meditative soundscapes, and high-definition imagery of marine life to forge a deep connection with the lifein the oceans.
The experience combines sounds of whales and dolphins, live music, dance, visual art, and ocean imagery to guide the audience on a mindful underwater odyssey.
Sounds of the Ocean, featured as the closing event at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal in 2022, features 360o full-dome projection in the planetarium and surround-sound with 100% real imagery; no animation or CGI.
In partnership with the Florida-based nonprofit Captains for Clean Water, Sounds of the Ocean will donate 10% of all ticket sales to support local efforts to restore and protect Florida’s waterways.
Shows are Fri-Sun in October & November at 4:30, 5:45, 7 & 8:15pm.
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is located at 3450 Ortiz Ave, in Ft Myers.
The Nature Center is 0pen Tue-Sun 10am-4pm. Planetarium shows at 12:15 & 2:15pm. For information, call 275-3435.​​
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Seminole Arts Festival Returns
to Tribe's Museum
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The American Indigenous Arts Celebration returns to the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on November 7 & 8.
The free festival showcases Art, Food, Wildlife Shows, and Family-Friendly Activities that celebrate Indigenous Culture and heritage.
The festival begins with a Grand Entry Powwow led by Seminole Medicine Man Bobby Henry, Tribal dignitaries, Native drummers, dancers, and hoop dance performers. Visitors can experience Seminole traditions while entertained by live animal shows, alligator wrestling, drumming, and a hoop dance competition.
Additional highlights include a fashion show by Seminole designer Lenora Roberts, live painting demonstration by Seminole artist Elgin Jumper, and the chance to meet Native American actor, Dallas Goldtooth and the new Miss Florida Seminole and Junior Miss Seminole 2025.
There will also be authentic Native craft vendors and artists, as well as free admission to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.
The Ah-Tah-Th-Ki museum’s festival grounds and boardwalk are located in Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation at 34725 W. Boundary Rd. in Clewiston. The festival and museum are open 10am-5pm. Call 863-902-1113 for information.​
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Spooky Lights
at Selby Gardens
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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is hosting the Halloween-themed light show, ‘Lights at Spooky Point’ at their Historic Spanish Point campus, October 3-November 1.
Visitors can trek along a hauntingly lit trail that winds through the wooded grounds and historic landmarks of the campus. Along the path, they will encounter whimsical Halloween displays and creative light installations. Returning favorites include the spectral ‘ghost orchids’ that hover above the Pioneer Graveyard, towering ‘Dracula orchids’ draped in eerie Spanish moss, and vibrant ‘spider orchids’ spun into glowing webs high in the trees. These decorations are inspired by real-life plants bearing the same names—a playful nod to Selby Gardens’ botanical roots and horticultural mission.
Guests will also find plenty of pumpkins, skeletons, and other Halloween classics.
‘Lights at Spooky Point’ is designed for all ages, but has a few scary surprises to keep older kids happy.
A limited number of tickets will be sold for each night of the show, with two entry times available: 6:30 & 7:45pm. Guests with young children or mobility issues are encouraged to consider the earlier entry. Those who want the full ‘Spooky Point’ experience can opt for the later slot, after dark.
Advance ticket purchase is encouraged.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus is located at 401 N. Tamiami Trail in Osprey. The gardens are open daily 10am-5pm, but will remain open until 8:30pm October 1-November 1 for ‘Lights at Spooky Point.’
For information, call 941-366-5731.
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Writers Conference
Returns to FGCU
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The Sanibel Writers Conference returns to the Florida Gulf Coast University campus, November 7 & 8. The conference, a four-day conference featuring workshops, readings, concerts, and receptions, has moved off Sanibel since the island was damaged by Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton. This year’s conference is again a two-day event.
The keynote address by author Stephanie Elizondo Griest will kick off the event on Friday, November 7, 6-8pm in Academic Building 9, room 138. It is open to the public and free.
There will be workshops throughout Saturday, all held in Academic Building 9, rooms 106 & 138. Presenters to be announced. Morning workshops will take place from 9am-12pm, afternoon workshops will take place from 2-5pm. Events after 5pm to be announced.
Registration for workshops is required
Florida Gulf Coast University is located at 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. in Fort Myers. For information, call, 590-7421.
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Haunted Nights
at Alliance for
the Arts
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The Alliance for the Arts’ ‘13 Nights of Stage Fright: Curtain Call Carnage’ will immerse guests in a world of twisted clowns, disorienting corridors, and theatrical horrors. From October 18-November 1 guests can experience scary performances, iconic villain cosplay appearances, and ‘Time Warp’ dancers.
All events are free, with donations suggested.
SCHEDULE
October 18: Alliance’s annual Rocky Horror Picture Show outdoor screening. Costume contest before the film. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome.(Haunted House preview 5-7pm, film 6-10pm)
October 19: Opening Night. The theme of the family-friendly evening is FreakArt After Dark, and features acrobats, magicians, and live music. (7-10pm)
October 20 & 27: Closed
October 21, 22, 28: Bare Bones Haunted House. (7-9pm)
October 23: Halloween Community Night. Trick-or-treating, scavenger hunt, games, arts & crafts, and Jack-o-lantern carving. Costumes are encouraged. (6-9pm)
October 24: Hollywood Horrors night. Not recommended for children under 13, the evening features FX makeup booths, karaoke, card games, and a How to Survive a Psycho Killer workshop. (7-10pm)
October 25: Rise of the Undead. Night features special performances, FX makeup booths, an undead costume contest, and a walk-thru Zombicon Museum. (7-10pm)
October 26: Inkantations. Family-friendly event features tattoo artists, face painting, caricature artists, and ink blot fortune telling. (7-10pm)
October 29: Spooky Stories Night Market. Art, music, vendors, food trucks, craft beer & wine. (7-9pm).
October 30: Full Scream Ahead. ‘A Little Boy’ one-act play, buried alive simulator, and full-touch haunted house. Costumes encouraged. Recommended for ages 13 and older, must be 18 for full-touch haunted house. (7-10pm)
October 31: Monster Mash Halloween Dance Party & Graveyard Gala. A spooky celebration of art, music with DJ, photo booth, bobbing for apple, pumpkin painting, and film shorts. (7-10pm)
November 1: The Final Act. Last night of haunted house(7-10pm)
Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. The gallery is open Tue-Fri 9am-7pm & Sat 9am-1pm. Call 939-2787 for information.​​​​
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Large Metal
Origami Sculptures
at Peace River Gardens
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The Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens is hosting ‘Origami in the Garden’ thru April 19, an outdoor sculpture exhibition by world-renowned Santa Fe artists, Jenifer & Kevin Box. Works by other artists, including Te Jui Fu, Robert J. Lang, Michael G. LaFosse, and Beth Johnson, are featured. The exhibition transforms the ancient art of paper folding into large scale metal sculptures.
As the youngest garden ever chosen to showcase this extraordinary exhibit, Peace River Gardens will display 13 monumental outdoor sculptures as well as smaller works in an indoor gallery.
As part of the immersive exhibit, a series of interactive experiences and artistic activities are being offered, including origami workshops for adults and kids, and educational tours, as well as a curated Bonsai showcase and meditative Zen garden.
Peace River Botanical Gardens, located at 5827 Riverside Dr in Punta Gorda, is open Tue-Sun 9am-4pm. For information, call 941-621-8299.​​​
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Sarasota
Art Museum Celebrates
Art Deco's
Centennial
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The Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art & Design is celebrating 100 years of sleek geometric shapes, bold linear designs and vibrant colors with the exhibition, ‘Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration,’ on view thru March 29.
The exhibition features 100 rare and iconic posters from the 1920s and 1930s, with subjects ranging from automobiles, airlines and ocean liners to drinks and tobacco.
“Before the age of television and digital media, printed graphic posters seduced viewers with eye-catching advertisements. These posters offered images of longed-for convenience, indulgent tastes, novel entertainments and solutions to troubles consumers never knew they had,” said Rangsook Yoon, Senior Curator at Sarasota Art Museum. “They were selling desires, serving as visual billboards of what living modernity would look like. These stunning posters highlight Art Deco as a style and movement that aligned with the modernity in the turbulent early 20th century.”
Among the works on view are posters by A.M. Cassandre, a French painter, commercial poster artist and typeface designer, and Roger de Valerio, whose work communicates the speed of the new industrial era.
In addition to 100 iconic posters, the exhibition includes a selection of sculptural pieces and vintage cocktail shakers and barware modeled after airplanes, zeppelin airships, as well as elegant furniture and lighting pieces.
Ringling College of Art & Design’s Sarasota Art Museum focuses on contemporary artists and their work.
Located in the historic former Sarasota High School, located at 1001 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. The museum is open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm & Sun 11am-5pm. Call 941-309-5120 for information.
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Screenings of ‘‘Sounds of the Ocean’ at the Calusa Nature Center Planetarium feature full-dome projections and surround-sound.
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation hosts their Indigenous Arts Celebration, November 8 & 9.
The American Sand Sculpting Championship is November 20-24 on the beach at DiamondHead Resort in
Fort Myers Beach.
The Halloween-themed tradition, ‘Lights at Spooky Point’ continues October 3-November 1 at Marie Selby Botancial Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point in Osprey.
Matlacha author, Robert N. Macomber is guest speaker at Gulf Coast Writers Association’s 30th anniversary luncheon.
Florida Repertory Theatre is hosting an open house on October 6, offering free
behind-the-scenes tours
The outdoor exhibition, ‘Origami in the Gardens’ is on view thru April 19 at Peace River Sculpture Gardens.
The exhibition, ‘Art Deco: The Golden Age of Illustration’ is on view at the Sarasota Art Museum thru March 29.
The Fair at Fenway South return to JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, weekends October 31-November 16.
The exhibition, ‘Steve Keene: Rauschenberg 100 – A Centennial Celebration’ is on view thru December 6 at Florida SouthWestern State College’s Bob Rauschenberg Gallery.
HERTZ ARENA
1100 Everblades Pkwy.. • Estero
948-7825
Oct 18: vs Orlando Solar Bears
Oct 24: vs Atlanta Gladiators
Nov 5: vs Fort Wayne Komets
Nov 7: vs Fort Wayne Komets
Nov 8: vs Fort Wayne Komets
Nov 19: vs South Carolina Stingrays
Nov 21: vs South Carolina Stingrays
Nov 28: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates
Nov 29: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates
Dec 12: vs Orlando Solar Bears
Dec 13: vs Orlando Solar Bears
Dec 27: vs Reading Royals
Dec 28: vs Reading Royals
Dec 29: vs Reading Royals
Jan 2: vs Orlando Solar Bears
Jan 3: vs Orlando Solar Bears
Jan 14: vs Jacksonville IceMen
Jan 16: vs Jacksonville IceMen
Jan 17: vs Jacksonville IceMen
Jan 28: vs Atlanta Gladiators.
Jan 30: vs Atlanta Gladiators
Jan 31: vs Atlanta Gladiators
Feb 11: vs Maine Mariners
Feb 13: vs Maine Mariners
Feb 14: vs Maine Mariners
Feb 20: vs Jacksonville IceMen
Feb 21: vs Jacksonville IceMen
Mar 4: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Mar 6: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Mar 7: vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Mar 21: vs Orlando Solar Bears
Mar 25: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates
Mar 27: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates
Mar 28: vs Savannah Ghost Pirates
Apr 10: vs South Carolina Stingrays
Apr 11: vs South Carolina Stingrays
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Opera Naples
Hosts Voice
Competition
Opera Naples is seeking applicants for their second Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition. The competition will occur over three days with the first two rounds at Florida Gulf Coast University on March 13 & 14 and the final round in Naples’ Baker Park in Naples on March 15. The March semi-final and final round will be presented in front of a live audience.
The competition fosters the career development of promising young opera singers worldwide by providing a platform to be heard by a panel of industry professionals and compete for artistic contracts that will significantly further their careers.
Each winner will receive a minimum of $10,000 in contracts to perform with Opera Naples and other opera houses. Winners should be available from February 15-March 15, 2027 to rehearse and perform in the Opera Naples 2027 Festival Under the Stars.
Selected singers will participate in three rounds of live performances for a jury over the course of three-days. Each competitor is required to prepare a minimum of six arias in the language of their choice. A pianist will be provided.
The first round and semi-final rounds of the competition on March 13 & 14 will be held in Florida Gulf Coast University’s U. Tobe Recital Hall. The final round on March 15 is located in Naples’ Baker Park.
In the first round, singers will present at least two brief aria selections. This round is not open to the public.
Singers in the semi-final round will present at least two other aria selections. The semi-finals are open to the public and free.
In the final round, singers will present an aria selected by the jury from previous rounds. Pavarotti’s wife, Nicoletta Pavarotti and Ramón Tebar, Opera Naples’ Artistic & Music Director, will preside over the jury.
The finals will also be open to the public and free.
The deadline to apply for the Voice Competition is October 15. Accepted singers will be notified no later than November 15.
Florida Gulf Coast University’s U. Tobe Recital Hall is in the Bower School of Music & the Arts’ music building. FGCU is located at 10501 FGCU Blvd. S. in Fort Myers.
Baker Park is located at 50 Riverside Circle in Naples.
For information about applying for the Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition, call 844-SING.
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Sand Sculpting
Championship
Returns to
Fort Myers Beach
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The 35th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship returns to Fort Myers Beach, November 20-24. Fort Myers Beach will again host the nation’s top Master and Advanced Amateur sand sculptors.
Attendees can witness the creation of incredible sand sculptures by ten Master Sculptors and ten Advanced Amateur Sculptors from 10 countries. They can also enjoy live entertainment, Quick Sand demonstrations, and a wide variety of foods and beverages.
There will be a dedicated sand play area, allowing children to play and build their own sand sculptures.
The main event is on the beach at DiamondHead Beach Resort, located at 2000 Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach.
Call 454-7500 for information.​
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Gulf Coast
Writers Association Celebrates 30 Years
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The Gulf Coast Writers Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a public luncheon on November 1.
Keynote speaker Robert N. Macomber, a multi-award-winning author, will share his expertise and advice on successfully navigating the writing world.
The Gulf Coast Writers Association, the largest writing group in Southwest Florida, support and connect writers of all backgrounds, skill levels, and genres, whether writing for personal fulfillment or professional pursuit.
The group hosts meetings on the third Saturday of each month, except December, presenting guest speakers offering advice about writing and getting published. Meetings are held 10am-12pm at St. Hilary’s Church, located at 50111 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.
They also hold an annual Writing contest.
Their 30th anniversary luncheon is at 11:30am on November 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 16410 Corporate Commerce Way in Fort Myers.
Registration is suggested. Visit gulfcoastwriters.org for information.
Florida Rep to Hold
Open House
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Florida Repertory Theatre will hold an open house on October 6, from 5-7pm. Guests will get a sneak peek behind the scenes of Florida Rep’s Historic Arcade and ArtStage theatre spaces. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended.
During the open house, theatre staff will be on hand to provide tours and answer questions about the upcoming season, and the lobby bar and concessions will be open.
Founded in 1998, Florida Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit self-producing theatre company. Each production is cast by professional actors, many who have graced the stages of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatres across the country and abroad.
Free parking for guests opens 30 minutes before the start of the event in the company’s parking lot located across from the Arcade Theatre entrance, located at 2268 Bay St. in downtown Fort Myers’ Historic River District.
For information, call 332-4488.
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Fair at
Fenway South
Returns to
JetBlue Park
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The Fair at Fenway South celebrates its 11th year at JetBlue Park, bringing three weekends of thrilling rides, live entertainment, and food favorites to Southwest Florida, October 31-November 16.
The fair features a full lineup of award-winning entertainment, all included with admission. This year’s featured acts include:
• The Magic of Lance Gifford, a Las Vegas–style comedy hypnosis show.
• Wolves of the World, an educational traveling wolf pack performance.
• Victoria Circus & Thrill Show, acrobatics and daredevil stunts
• Rosaire’s Royal Racing Pigs, performing pigs.
• Cowtown USA, live milking demonstrations
• Giant Petting Corral, hands-on experience for kids of all ages.
The fairgrounds, spread over 20 acres, features a 100-foot Giant Ferris Wheel and more than 30 state fair–style amusement rides and games, as well as an expanded Kiddieland for young children
The Fair at Fenway South is open October 31–November 2, November 7-9 & November 14–16; Fridays 5-11pm, Sat 3-11pm & Sun 3-10pm.
JetBlue Park is located at 11500 Fenway South Dr. in Fort Myers. For information, visit fairatfenway.com.
Rauschenberg Gallery Hosts Exhibition Celebrating Namesake's
100th Birthday
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The exhibition, Steve Keene: Rauschenberg 100 – A Centennial Celebration, a newly commissioned, site-specific installation of 100 paintings in honor and celebration of the 100th birthday of gallery namesake, Robert Rauschenberg, is on view at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex thru December 6.
Rauschenberg, one of the most highly acclaimed painters of the 20th century, has been dubbed the ‘Assembly-Line Picasso’ by Time magazine. Steve Keene is a Yale University-educated, Brooklyn-based artist who believes in ‘mass-producing’ hand-painted artworks for the masses.
Sourcing countless ‘found’ photographs and images of Rauschenberg, his seminal iconic artworks, and his Captiva Island studio and compound, Steve Keene has created this centenary celebration as an ambitious and immersive exhibition of 100 newly-created paintings that capture both Rauschenberg’s art and life in advance (and during) his 100th birthday, October 22, 2025.
The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery was founded as The Gallery of Fine Art in 1979 on the Lee County campus of Florida Southwestern State College (then Edison Community College). In June 2004, the Gallery of Fine Art was renamed the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery to honor and commemorate the college’s long-time association and friendship with the artist. Over more than three decades until his death, the Gallery worked closely with Rauschenberg to present world premiere exhibitions.
The exhibition is in the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Annex, located in Building J-118 on the Florida SouthWestern State College campus, 8099 College Pkwy. in Fort Myers.
The gallery annex, open while the original gallery is undergoing extensive renovations, is open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm. Admission is free. For information, call 489-9313.
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Gulf Coast Writers
Announce
Contest Winners
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The Gulf Coast Writers Association has announced the winners of its 2025 annual Writing Contest.
POETRY
First Place: The Puzzle Piece, Suzie Eisinger (Marco Island, FL)
Second Place: I Am Nobody, Matthew Collins (Salem, NH)
Third Place: Purgatory, Geneva Kelly (North Fort Myers, FL)
FICTION
First Place: Twenty Minutes Until Showtime, Linda Saether (Cape Coral, FL)
Second Place: The Nightingale Sang On, Dave Williams (Prosper, TX)
Third Place: Harvest of Death, Marilyn Seguin, Akron, OH
NON-FICTION
First Place: Impressions of India, Roger Baker (Naples, FL)
Second Place: Tommy, Thea Stuart (Des Moines, IA)
Third Place: Other Side of the Mountain, Patti Walsh (Fort Myers, FL)
HONORABLE MENTION
POETRY A Jewel in the Sun, Jeanne Meeks. Hey Nineteen, Karen Vazquez. Waltzing Wild West, Amy Pontius.
FICTION: Cold Feet in Shoetown, Lenea Howe. Peter Hamilton, Mary Charles. Judged, Richard Drummer.
NON-FICTION: I’m a Walker, Jenean Roth. Knee Replacement from a Woman’s Perspective, Ginger Wakem. The Gate Opens, Monica Wright.
Visit gulfcoastwriters.org for information.
