This month, musical performances take center stage. In Naples, Pretty Woman: The Musical lands in Hayes Hall. In Fort Myers, audiences travel back to 1800s France with the Broadway tour of Les Misérables. And, candlelit and floral-decorated venues provide the perfect setting for symphonic renditions of hits from The Beatles and Adele. Explore the sounds of the Gulf Coast’s music and theater scene, plus other regional happenings, with this month’s events.
April 1-11
Miguel Saludes at Harmon-Meek Gallery, Naples
In this exhibition of works, Fort Myers-based artist and Leigh Senior High School art instructor Miguel Saludes contemplates the beauty of American nature and landscapes. The oil on canvas paintings capture sweeping views of nature, including Gulf Coast beaches and mountain ranges, showcasing Miguel’s mastery of light and color. Learn More
April 2
Lift at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
Join New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) artistic director Steven Melendez for a screening of the award-winning documentary. Filmed over the course of a decade, the film chronicles Steven’s return to the Bronx shelter where he grew up and documents his journey of bringing the transformative power of dance to a new generation with the New York Theatre Ballet workshop. Learn More
April 2
All That Jazz: Lucy Yeghiazaryan at Artis—Naples
American-Armenian jazz singer Lucy Yeghiazaryan joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for a performance of songs selected from her own discography along with an array of jazz standards in Artis—Naples’ intimate Daniels Pavilion. Lucy is a leading voice in American straight-ahead jazz, bringing a unique blend of traditional and classical styles and buttery smooth vocals to her interpretation of the genre. Learn More
April 2-27
The Half-Life of Marie Curie at Price Studio Theater, Naples
The power of female friendship takes center stage in playwright Lauren Gunderson’s intimate production. The show explores the dynamic between Nobel Prize-winning chemist and physicist Marie Curie and lauded electromechanical engineer Hertha Ayrton as they navigate the male-dominated field of 20th-century science. Learn More
April 4-6
Kevin Nealon at Off The Hook Comedy Club, Naples
Saturday Night Live alumni and Emmy- and SAG Award-nominated actor brings his stand-up comedy routine to Naples. Kevin’s observational style of humor explores the comedy in the everyday, from parenthood to the general absurdity of life. Learn More
April 5
Forest Bathing at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, Naples
Reset and recenter with shinrin-yoku, the meditative Japanese wellness practice of forest bathing. Certified forest therapy guide Robin DeMattia leads the two-hour sensory walk along Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Henderson Creek-adjacent Snail Trail. Learn More
April 8-29 (Select Dates)
Trunk Shows at Marissa Collections, Naples
This month, lauded jewelry designers from around the world showcase their dazzling selections at Marissa Collections’ Third Street South boutique. On April 8, French-Lebanese designer Selim Mouzannar brings intricate, Ottoman-inspired designs. Marina B —namesake brand of the late Bulgari descendant—features reimagined takes on classic, geometric jewelry on April 15. Later in the month, Sorellina’s bold, contemporary statement pieces take center stage on April 22. Gemstone-focused Bayco brings their one-of-a-kind pieces to the forefront on April 24, and Sara Beltrán rounds out the month on April 29 with a presentation of designs influenced by New York, Mexico and India. Learn More
April 9-13
Pretty Woman: The Musical at Artis—Naples
The beloved rom-com production helmed by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell makes a stop in Naples during the final leg of the show’s North American tour. The musical blends all the charm and heartwarming romance of the film with an original pop-rock score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and his songwriting partner Jim Vallance. Learn More
April 10 — May 4
Sweet Charity at The Baker Theatre & Education Center, Naples
Gulfshore Playhouse’s inaugural season in their new space draws to a close with this Tony Award-winning musical comedy. The production follows Charity Hope Valentine, a hopeless romantic dance hall hostess, in her search for love in 1960s New York. Featuring choreography from Broadway legend Bob Fosse and music by American composer and songwriter Cy Coleman and lyricist Dorothy Fields, the musical is an exuberant showcase of the humor and heartbreak that come with life in the Big City. Learn More
April 12
Earth Day Festival at Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples
Join the Conservancy of Southwest Florida for their annual Earth Day Festival. The event features food trucks, vendors and around 40 exhibitors providing conservation-focused activities. Explore the Conservancy’s 21-acre campus with guided nature walks and wildlife encounters, and learn about the region’s waterways on an electric boat tour through the Gordon River. Learn More
April 15-20
Les Misérables at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the world’s longest-running musical highlights the resilience of the human spirit. The highly acclaimed production returns to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall as part of the musical’s latest relaunch, updated by British theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh for the 21st century while preserving the heart of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning production. Learn More
April 17
Bonita Springs Short Film Festival at Prado Stadium 12 Theaters
Local filmmakers capture the beauty and magic of Bonita Springs for the 10-year anniversary of the Bonita Springs Short Film Festival. Open to all ages and skill levels, the festival showcases the creativity of the local film community with an array of one- to 10-minute-long productions. From teen-made western-inspired shorts to stories that highlight the region’s perseverance in the midst of tough times, the films offer a unique perspective into the heart of the city. Learn More
April 18
New Jazz Underground at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers
A trio of Juilliard-trained 20-somethings ushers in the next era of jazz with electrifying performances that meld traditional blues and swing with contemporary influence. The exuberant live show features elements of improvisation while maintaining the excellence of jazz infused with hip-hop, indie, pop and Afro-Latino inspirations. Learn More
April 26 — June 29
Eternally Curious: A Journey of Creation and Growth at Naples Botanical Garden
Explore Naples philanthropist Tanya Trinkaus Glass’ exquisite acrylic, oil, charcoal and pastel works inspired by the Garden’s botanical bounty. The collection beckons guests to approach the Garden from a different perspective and view the vibrant collection of plants through Tanya’s artistic lens. Learn More
April 26 — May 3
Minto US Open Pickleball Championships at East Naples Community Park
Fans from around the world flock to the pickleball capital for the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships. The highly anticipated sporting event draws more than 50,000 fans who watch the competition unfold. Rising pickleball stars raise their paddles during the event’s new opening weekend Junior Championships, and elite Pros duke it out on the courts over the remaining six days. Learn More
April 27
Harmony in Sensation: A Sensory-Friendly Concert at Music & Arts Community Center—Gulf Coast Symphony, Fort Myers
Gulf Coast Symphony reimagines the orchestral experience and improves the culture of classical music with this accessible concert designed for individuals with autism and related sensory sensitivities. The sensory-friendly concert features dimmed lights and muted sound along with other accommodations like flexible seating, fidget toys and quiet spaces to provide a welcoming environment for audiences of all abilities. Learn More
April 29
Lucia di Lammermoor at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Set in 19th-century Scotland, Donizetti’s gothic del canto masterpiece tells a deeply emotional tale chronicling the highs of passionate love and the maddening depths of heartbreak. Naples Philharmonic joins Gulfshore Opera for the performance, and Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanne Burgess shines in her role as Lucia, exhibiting her vocal excellence in the show’s infamous ‘mad scenes’ that explore the character’s psychological unraveling. Learn More
April 30
Candlelight Spring: Tribute to The Beatles and Adele at Music & Arts Community Center—Gulf Coast Symphony, Fort Myers
The glow of thousands of flameless candles fills the Music & Arts Community Center, and vibrant flower displays set the stage for the Gulf Coast Symphony’s string quartet. Join the musicians at 6 p.m. for a reflection on The Beatles’ iconic discography. Later that evening, the group performs selections from Adele’s soulful anthems. Learn More