CORRECTION: Rock band Roxx Revolt performs Friday at Rack’em Spirits & Times in Cape Coral. An earlier version of this story listed the wrong venue.
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Fort Myers Film Festival and reggaeton star Jacob Forever.
Plus we look at what's ahead in the coming weeks: Fringe Fort Myers, the Florida comedy 'A Cracker at the Ritz' and more.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@gannett.com .
1. Fort Myers Film Festival
The annual Fort Myers Film Festival returns with more independent shorts, documentaries and feature films shown each day. May 22-26. Tickets are $10 per film or block of films, or $20 for a day pass. Movies are shown at various Lee County locations, including Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, BIG ARTS, Alliance for the Arts, IMAG, Babcock Ranch and Broadway Palm. fortmyersfilmfestival.com
2. Jacob Forever at The Ranch
The reggaeton star used to be a member of Made In Cuba and Gente de Zona before going solo. His hits include "Quiereme" and "Hasta Que Se Seque el Malecon." Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, May 17 and goes to 2 a.m. DJ Lexx will play a mix of classic and current hits, followed by Jacob Forever at about midnight. $30 ($75 for VIP). The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
3. Southwest Florida Symphony: 70s, 80s & 90s Unplugged
Celebrate the music of the '70s, '80s and '90s with singer/guitarist Andrew Lipke and the always-unplugged Southwest Florida Symphony. The concert includes songs from Nirvana, 10,000 Maniacs, George Michael, Alanis Morissette, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, The Cranberries and more. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $25-$115. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
4. Grammy-winning salsa star Marlow Rosado at Arts Bonita
Two-time Grammy Award winner Marlow Rosado is known for his high-energy salsa, merengue and cumbia shows. He'll be joined by sultry dancers for a sizzling show packed with nonstop fun, according to Arts Bonita. Get there at 6:30 p.m. for a free salsa dance class with award-winning dancer and choreographer Marissa Jankowski (registration required). The composer and multi-instrumentalist performs with a 12-piece orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
5. AI-written play 'A.I. Genesis' at FGCU
Ghostbird Theatre Company presents its latest experimental work, which was directed and conceived by Barry Cavin and written entirely using artificial intelligence. "A.I. Genesis" tries to answer the question, "What if the end of the world is brought about by artificial intelligence?" Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, 24-25. $20 ($7 for students). Seating is very limited. The play is suitable for ages 16 and older. FGCU Arts Complex, Room 111, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd S., Estero. ghostbirdtheatrecompany.org
MORE THINGS TO DO
Florida Rep's 'Oleanna'
Last chance to see David Mamet’s explosive, thought-provoking drama about a college professor and a female student who accuses him of sexual harassment. What follows is an escalating war of words that transforms the college campus into a battlefield. Now through Sunday, May 19. Tickets start at $65. Artstage Studio Theatre at Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
Roxx Revolt's '33' release bash
Popular Southwest Florida rockers Roxx Revolt ― formerly known as Roxx Revolt & The Velvets ― celebrate their recent release of new single "33." They'll share the stage with opening acts The Osceala Brothers and Except You. Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17. Show start time not listed. Free. Rack’em Spirits & Times, 1011 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/RackemspiritsandTimes
SWFL Sports Card Show in North Fort Myers
Vendors buy, sell and trade a variety of baseball cards, Pokémon cards and other sports cards and memorabilia, from vintage to modern. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19. $3 (free for ages 12 and younger). Pondella Bingo, 959 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers. 440-5204 or facebook.com/swflcardshow
Kameron Marlowe of 'The Voice'
The North Carolina country singer competed in 2018 on "The Voice" and made it into the Top 24. His hits include "Tennessee Don't Mind," "Strangers," "Girl On Fire" and "Giving You Up." Tucker Wetmore and Laci Kaye Booth open the show. Show starts at about 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23. $27. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
LOOKING AHEAD
The Electric Mud at Nice Guys
The popular Fort Myers hard rockers return to Nice Guys to play some older songs, as well new music from their upcoming album. They'll be joined by alt-country band Sun State Blues from Bonita Springs. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, May 25. $15. Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/NiceGuysPizza
Broadway Palm's 'The Addams Family'
Last chance to see the 2010 Broadway musical is based on the creepy, kooky family from the 1960s TV show and the popular movie franchise. One of those characters, the young Wednesday Addams, is the star of a recent hit Netflix TV series. Now through Saturday, May 25. $35-$80.Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
'A Cracker at the Ritz' at Arts Bonita
Satirical duo Compton & Bennett return with their popular musical poking fun at Southwest Florida. They perform twice a month at Arts Bonita. 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Fringe Fort Myers
Nine comedians, dancers, theatrical acts and more perform on four stages over four days at the second-annual Fringe Fort Myers. Most performances are one hour or less. Fringe festivals are a worldwide phenomenon known for their experimental, underground and cutting-edge performers, but just about anything goes. Thursday through Sunday, May 30-June 2. Other activities include Kids Fringe Fest and an opening-night reception/preview show. $16 per show. The Thursday preview show is $5. Broadway Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., and Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org/fringe
— Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com . Follow or message him on social media: Facebook ( facebook.com/charles.runnells.7 ), X (formerly Twitter) ( @charlesrunnells ), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram ( @crunnells1 ).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Best things to do this weekend in SW FL: Fort Myers Film Festival, Jacob Forever
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