Four-Day

Fringe Festival

Returns to

Fort Myers

   The Alliance for the Arts and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents Fringe Fort Myers 2024 performing arts festival May 30-June 2. Fringe Fort Myers features a variety of performances, from one-person shows and stand-up comedy to dance and music, from burlesque to magic, and much more. 

   The festival follows the long-standing Fringe traditions of being 100% independent, 100% inclusive and 100% unique, with 100% of ticket sales going directly to the artists.

   Fringe Fort Myers kicks off May 30 at 5pm with a ‘Flamingle with the Artists’ reception in the Alliance for the Arts gallery, offering attendees a chance to meet the artists, followed by a preview show at 6:30pm, when each performer has three minutes to sell the audience on why they should see their show. The reception is open to the public and free. Following the preview show there will be one performance in each venue.

   The festival continues through June 2 with additional programming to be announced. Most shows are 60 minutes long. In addition to the performances, there will be a Kids Fringe Fest happening throughout. 

   Nine acts have been selected for Fringe Fort Myers 2024:

   • ‘Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life’ (from Vancouver, BC). Keith Alessi’s lifelong dream becomes the key to saving his life (suitable for all ages).

   • ‘The Carousel of Burlesque: Behind the Curtain’ (from Fort Myers). A look behind the curtain (contains nudity and not suitable for those under age 18).

   • ‘The Chase: A Light Bringer Story’ (from Lutz, Florida). True-life storytelling, written and performed by Laila Lee (suitable for age 16).

   • ‘The Other Side’ (from Orlando). Combines magic and storytelling to express a message of survival and hope (suitable for age 12).

   • ‘Stabilized Not Controlled’ (from Naples). Comedy that ran for two years at Manhattan’s Stage Left Studio (not suitable for those under age 18).

   • ‘TransMasculine Cabaret,’ starring Vulva Va-Voom (from Tampa). ‘TragiComic trans-identifying confessional’ by a ‘obscene, irreverent, maniacal burlesque headliner’ (not suitable for those under the age 18).

   • ‘Runaway Princess: A Hopeful Tale of Heroin, Hooking and Happiness’ (from The Bronx, NY). Fable with a happy ending (rated PG-13). 

   • ‘Cock Talk’ (from Fort Myers). Male version of the play Vagina Monologues (not suitable for those under age of 18).

   • ‘Love Letters to Humanity’ (from Floyd, Virginia). One-woman satire weaves dance, theatre, and stand-up comedy (rated PG-13). 

   The Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. For information, call 939-2787. 

New Exhibitions

at Tribby

Arts Center

   Two new exhibitions, ‘Seeing Red: The History and Emotions of a Color We Love’ and ‘Artist as Muse: The 20th Anniversary Exhibition of Art Quilters Unlimited,’ opens April 12 in Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center.

   ‘Seeing Red’ displays the best art being produced by Shell Point artists and artisans. With works in all mediums, each piece in the Tribby’s Shell Point Gallery presents its artist’s unique interpretation of ‘seeing red.’ A special component of the exhibition will present the works of Shell Point writers, reflecting on the same theme. 

   An art quilt presents its maker’s original design rather than a traditional pattern. It is a demanding genre, requiring the quilter to be both artist and superb needleworker. 

   In ‘Artist As Muse,’ each member of Art Quilters Unlimited was randomly assigned a major artist of the 20th century and allowed to choose any artwork of that artist for which to create a textile homage. Works on display will include quilts and other textile creations in the Tribby’s Legacy and Overlook Galleries.

   Both exhibitions are on display through June 22 and are free and open to the public. Tribby’s galleries are open Tue-Sat 10am-3pm. Tribby Arts Center is located in the Shell Point Community at 17281 On Par Blvd. For more information about the Tribby Arts Center, call 239-415-5667. 

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Marie Selby Gardens

Exhibition Connects

Two Iconic Artists

   Marie Selby Botanical Gardens presents Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe as the eighth iteration of its annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, which examines the work of major artists through the lens of their connection to nature.

   The art and horticulture exhibition, on view thru June 30 at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, explores the unexpected yet profoundly impactful mentoring relationship that developed between iconic artists Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O’Keeffe, two women that changed the history of art. 

   Jennifer Rominiecki, President of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, explains, “Based on their personal correspondence at a critical point in Kusama’s artistic development, the exhibition presents a dynamic and exciting interpretation of two iconic artists in a way that they have not been seen before. We are thrilled to have them paired together in our unique botanical garden setting to explore the ways in which the work of both artists is rooted in nature.” 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, open daily 10am-5pm, is located at 1534 Mound St. in Sarasota. For information, call 941-366-5731.

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Lakeland's Mayfaire

Art Festival

Celebrates

52nd Year

   Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland continues its Mother’s Day tradition of hosting Mayfaire by-the-Lake, a free fine art festival, May 11 & 12 on the shores of Lake Morton. The free, 2-day event features more than 150 artists showcasing their work across a variety of different media, from jewelry and ceramics to paintings and photography. 

   Attendees can enjoy free live musical performances on the lawn in front of the Lakeland Library and dine at specialty food trucks along Lake Morton Drive. The Polk Museum of Art will be open throughout the weekend. 

   In addition to browsing the fine art displays, families can visit the Mayfaire Kids Zone on the corner of E. Walnut St. & Indiana Ave. for free art activities for children of all ages and abilities. 

   One of the oldest arts festivals in Central Florida, Mayfaire is consistently ranked among the best art shows in the nation.

   Mayfaire by-the-Lake will be held May 11 & 12, 9am-4pm. Lake Morton is located in downtown Lakeland, Florida. Parking is available at the corner of Lime St. & Massachusetts Ave. Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College is located at 800 E. Palmetto St. Call 863-688-7743 for information.

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Writers Wanted

   The Gulf Coast Writers Association is inviting authors, professionals and amateurs, to submit their work in their annual writing contest. Submissions must be received by midnight, May 31.

   Submissions are being accepted in three categories: Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. Submissions can be as many as 1500 words for prose and 40 lines for poetry. Writers may submit as often as they wish but can only receive one prize. Only entries submitted online will be considered. All submissions are judged blind by members of GCWA and/or qualified members of the local literary community.

   Winners will be announced at the GCWA monthly meeting on July 15, Winners receive monetary awards. Winning pieces will be published on the GCWA website.

   Founded in 1995, Gulf Coast Writers Association provides a forum for fellowship, education, and information for writers, editors and associates. Based in Fort Myers, the group attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida. At monthly meetings, speakers and workshops offer expert advice on such topics as writing techniques, publishing and marketing. 

   For information, visit gulfwriters.org.