Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend, includingthe annual Juneteenth Community Festival and the giant animatronic dinosaurs of Jurassic Quest.
Plus we look at what's ahead in the coming weeks: Florida Rep's Catholic comedy "Late Nite Catechism," SummerFest at Fort Myers Brewing Co. and more.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. Jurassic Quest Giant dinosaurs invade Lee Civic Center
Jurassic Quest's giant animatronic dinosaurs are back for another visit. This touring show features life-sized, moving, roaring dinos. Plus dino rides, fossils, inflatables and more. Friday through Sunday, June 14-16. $22 for regular admission, $35 for kids admission and unlimited rides and activities (ages 2-10 only). Rides and activities cost extra. Lee Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.jurassicquest.com
2. Juneteenth Community Festival at Clemente Park
Celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with vendors, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food trucks, bounce houses and more. 3-7 p.m. Saturday, June 15. The 12th-annual festival is presented by the Dunbar Festival Committee, the Lee County Black History Society and The African Coalition of Southwest Florida. Free. Roberto Clemente Park, 3265 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers.leecountyblackhistorysociety.org/events
3. Collie Buddz at The Ranch
The pot-loving reggae/dancehall singer brings his Take It Easy World Tour to Fort Myers. Collie Buddz's hits include "Smokin' Love" (with Stick Figure), "Love & Reggae," "Good Life," "Come Around and "Chill Out." He'll be joined by opening acts Kash'd Out and Cloud9 Vibes. Show starts at about 9 p.m,. Saturday, June 15. Doors open at 7 p.m. $30. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 ortheranchfortmyers.com
4. 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' at Players Circle
Last chance to see this hit off-Broadway musical that promises to reveal "everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.” Now through Sunday, June 16. $35-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
5. Agatha Christie mystery 'Murder on the Orient Express'
Cultural Park Theater takes on the stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s much-loved murder mystery. “Murder on the Orient Express" ― adapted into a 2017 movie starring Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and more ― involves an American tycoon stabbed to death on a passenger train. Everyone is a suspect, and detective Hercule Poirot is on the case.June 14-23. $22-$26. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
'Dads & Dogs' Yappy Hour at Bell Tower
Mingle with dogs and dog lovers at this Father's Day-themed event with a deejay, photo ops and a matching “Papa and Pup” costume contest. The monthly event benefits Gulf Coast Humane Society. 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 14. Free. Bell Tower Shops, 13499 U.S. 41, south Fort Myers. 489-1221 or belltowerfl.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Florida Rep's 'Late Nite Catechism'
In this interactive one-woman comedy, a nun named Sister teaches the audience about Latin mass, meatless Fridays and the pain of an old-fashioned ruler across the knuckle. The Florida Rep audience doubles as students in her adult catechism class. Denise Fennell stars in the show. June 19-July 7. $65. ArtStage Studio Theatre at Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtownFort Myers. 332-4488 orfloridarep.org
SummerFest at Fort Myers Brewing Co.
Celebrate the summer with four days of live music, food trucks and more than 50 specialty beers (including new slushies to help beat the heat). The annual event features local bands Rock Republic, Chasing Denver, The Rowdy Bards and The Ben Allen Band. Bring your own lawn chairs. Thursday through Sunday, June 20-23. Free. Fort Myers Brewing Co., 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Unit 28, south Fort Myers. 313-6576 or fmbrew.com
Fort Myers Music Walk
Downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Friday, June 21. Free. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance
Broadway Palm's 'Swing!'
Last chance to see this 1999 musical that celebrates the Big Band Era with lots of dancing, singing and timeless songs such as “In The Mood,” “Sing Sing Sing” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got that Swing.” Now through Saturday, June 22. $60-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
Where to eat:3 anticipated restaurant openings, plus new old one in Cape Coral, Fort Myers
'Jazz as World Music' at Arts Bonita
Jazz pianist Zach Bartholomew ― a resident artist at Arts Bonita ― plays a night of jazz music from around the world. He’ll be part of a quartet with bassist Brandon Robertson, singer Nicole Bartholomew and renowned ethnomusicologist and percussionist Michael Bakan. The program includes Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astor Piazzolla, Abbey Lincoln, Tito Puente and more. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
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 atcrunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
