The Gulf Coast overflows this month with anticipated entertainment and beloved activities. In Naples, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical depicts Carole King’s career. In Estero, the Olympic-winning figure skating team hits the ice at Hertz Arena. And in Punta Gorda, an origami sculpture exhibition takes over the gardens. Don’t miss these April events.
Through Apr. 19
Origami in the Garden at Peace River Botanical & Sculptural Gardens, Punta Gorda
Returning to the Gulf for the first time since 2017, origami masters Jennifer and Kevin Box’s take on the traditional Japanese art form features innovative metal casting that looks like folded paper. The pieces include a white pegasus galloping through the field, a lifeboat suspended in the sky and a bronze squirrel perched in the shrubs. Kevin worked with other experts, including Te Jui Fu, Robert J. Lang, Michael G. LaFosse and Beth Johnson. Stick around for accompanying origami workshops, educational tours and a zen garden. Learn more
Through Apr. 25
Rhythm & Blooms at Tribby Arts Center, Corridor 2 Gallery, Fort Myers
Pianist couple Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi set the scene for this multimedia exhibition with a piano duet, while Stephanie’s watercolor florals coordinate with haikus from the Tribby Writers Guild members. Learn more
Through Apr. 26
The Profound Drama of the Ordinary at BIG ARTS, Sanibel
Former Vogue Italia and Vogue Deutsch photographer René Miville pulls from his archives to showcase the chemically manipulated photographs that earned him acclaim in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Learn more
Apr. 1–5
Broadway Series: Kimberly Akimbo at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
This comical coming-of-age tale won several Tony Awards. Watch as spunky 15-year-old Kimberly Akimbo faces her first real crush, issues at home and the possibility of committing a crime. At the same time, a rare genetic condition causes her to age rapidly, prompting a race against the clock for one last epic adventure. Learn more
Apr. 1–26
A Piece of My Heart at The Naples Players
This play by Shirley Lauro tells the true stories of six women who served in various roles during the Vietnam War. The two-act play builds on their experiences to show the lasting effects of war and the unsung role of women on the front lines. Learn more
Apr. 6
Peter & Will Anderson Trio at Crowninshield Community House, Boca Grande
Juilliard-trained twin brothers Peter and Will Anderson bring their saxophone and clarinet skills to the stage at Boca Grande’s central community hub. The woodwind virtuosos have performed at esteemed venues, such as Carnegie Hall, and on the Grammy-winning soundtrack for HBO’s 2010 series Boardwalk Empire, plus Killers of the Flower Moon and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Learn more
Apr. 7–11
Pops: Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony at Artis—Naples
This multimedia affair features Dolly Parton on the big screen, guiding guests through her life’s journey and scores from her upcoming Dolly: A True Original Musical. Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly—one of the nation’s leading symphonic artists—conducts the Naples Philharmonic through orchestrations by David Hamilton to showcase Dolly’s chart-topping hits. Learn more
Apr. 11-18
Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships at USOP National Pickleball Center, Naples
Paddles are out and swinging this month at the 10th annual US Open Pickleball Championships, including the largest junior championship in America, plus the debut of Champions Pro (ages 50–59) and Masters Pro (over 60). Check out the beer garden with light bites and live music in between matches. Learn more
Apr. 11
Blooms & Brews at Naples Botanical Garden
Regional microbreweries sample out their best brews to the tune of bluegrass band Remedy Tree. Stop by the on-site Fogg Café for Caribbean shrimp tacos, Johnsonville brats or a basket of hand-cut fries to pair with the drinks. Learn more
Apr. 11
Los Lobos at Hard Rock Casino, Immokalee
Mexican-American rock band Los Lobos formed in 1973 in Los Angeles, playing Mexican folk cover songs in restaurants, and now has 17 studio albums and four Grammy Awards. Dance along to their fusion of Tejano, country, soul, folk and rock at the Seminole Center. Learn more
Apr. 13-30
Miguel Saludes at Harmon-Meek Gallery, Naples
Fort Myers-based Cuban painter Miguel Saludes displays his series of American landscapes, featuring mountain, lake and canyon scenes inspired by his travels. Learn more
Apr. 14
ACMA Songwriters Showcase at Koreshan State Park, Estero
Local musicians from Fort Myers’ Americana Community Music Association perform original songs on the main building’s wrap-around porch, known as the Planetary Court. Hear original works—and the stories behind them—from folk guitarist Joe Terizzi, eclectic blues guitarist and harmonicist Bill Frey, and covers artist and songwriter Matt Hannam. Learn more
Apr. 14
International Holocaust Remembrance Day at The Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers
Holocaust victims anchor the music and stories presented in the 10th annual Remembrance Day, in partnership with grassroots group Common Ground. Together they bring forth speeches from activists, rabbinical leaders, senior pastors and artists. Learn more
Apr. 15-19
Naples International Dance Festival at multiple locations throughout Naples
United Arts Collier’s dance festival returns for its second year with a diverse cast of artists and dancers. The festival offers lessons and performances from world-renowned NYC and Boston Ballet soloists and principal dancers Megan LeCrone and Melissa Hogue, and the Ailey Dance Company, at Naples Botanical Garden. Catch a film on the art form at the Norris Center, where you can also view Paul Arsenault’s sketches and Gene Schiavone’s photographs from last year’s event. Learn more
Apr. 16
Stars on Ice Tour at Hertz Arena, Estero
Olympic figure skaters, including women’s singles gold medalist Alysa Liu, two-time World Champion “Quad God” Ilia Malinin, and silver medalists duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, return from Milan for this stateside tour. Before the show, participate in a Q&A with key players from Team USA. Learn more
Apr. 17 — May 1
FGCU Senior Spring Showcase at Wasmer Art Gallery, Fort Myers
View works from 25 graduating seniors—the burgeoning university’s largest cast of art students—in the newly renovated gallery space. The students present works in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting and pottery. Learn more
Apr. 18
Earth Day Festival at The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples
This celebration kicks off with a groundbreaking for The Conservancy’s new John & Carol Walter Nature Experience, an immersive education center. Stick around for live music from Naples’ Moonstone Riders and educational discussions on ecology, wildlife conservation and restoration. Learn more
Apr. 22
Earth, Wind & Fire at Hertz Arena, Estero
A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, Earth, Wind & Fire continues to set artistic standards. The pop and R&B group has maintained its eclectic style since 1969, bringing the legendary presence and spiritual messages that made it so popular decades back to the Estero stage. Learn more
Apr. 24
Edge of Couture: The Art of Fashion at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers
Local artists and designers showcase their looks for this year’s rock ‘n’ roll-themed runway. Platinum recording artist Jean Beauvoir, who worked with Kiss and The Ramones in the 1980s, hosts the event, and Fort Myers’ School of Rock performs. Bid on the silent auction to support the art center, plus local nonprofits Music Alive SWFL and Golisano Children’s Hospital. Learn more
Apr. 25
Maren Morris: The Dreamsicle Tour at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Maren Morris returns to Southwest Florida after her acoustic performance at the 2016 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. She recently finished a tour through Australia and New Zealand to perform hits from her seven albums spanning country, pop, rock and R&B. Learn more
Apr. 27 — May 3
FineMark Women’s Pro Tennis Championship at Bonita Bay Club, Bonita Springs
In its 7th year, Bonita Bay Club hosts the Women’s USTA Pro Circuit Tournament, offering competitors a $100,000 purse and a direct path to higher-level championships, such as the US Open. The world’s top 250 female tennis players take to the club’s renovated Har-Tru courts for this competition (only one of five in the nation), supporting the Lee Health Cancer Institute. Learn more
Apr. 30 — May 31
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical details Carole King’s beginnings as a young songwriter. As a teen, she wrote for Aretha Franklin; now, her portfolio includes The Beatles, James Taylor and her own solo work. Learn more