Video: Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina opens in Cape Coral
Cape Coral’s first food truck park has 10 on-site food trucks, a huge open-air bar, inviting pavilions, live music and much more
Southwest Florida’s weekend events include Florida rapper Plies and a tribute to baseball great Christy Mathewson.The Molly Ringwalds will perform an 80’s tribute show at Caloosa Sound, and the musical “Cabaret” is playing at The Belle Theatre.Other events include a wrestling show, a CD release show, a summer festival and an anime convention.
Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including former Fort Myers rapper Plies, guitar wizard George Lynch of ’80s metal band Dokken and a tribute to Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson. Plus a look at what’s ahead in August.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. Plies at Hertz Arena
Fort Myers native Plies returns to Southwest Florida for a rare hometown concert. The rapper is best known for the hits ”Bust It Baby, Pt. 2,” “Shawty,” “Hypnotized” and “Heart Mind” (with Kodak Black). Plies — whose real name is Algernod “Nod” Lanier Washington — is a 1994 Fort Myers High School graduate and a former wide receiver at Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997. He now lives in the Tampa Bay area. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. $87-$281. Parking on site is $30, plus taxes and fees (no cash). Free parking next door at Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
2. Baseball show ‘Matty: An Evening with Christy Mathewson’
Voice actor Eddie Frierson (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “Hotel Transylvania,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “ParaNorman”) wrote and performs this one-man show about Baseball Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson, told in the pitcher’s own words. 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. $30. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
3. George Lynch of Dokken and friends
Guitar wizard George Lynch played in ’80s metal band Dokken and later in Lynch Mob. He returns for another Southwest Florida show, previously scheduled for the now-closed venue Buddha LIVE. He’ll play Dokken hits and share the stage with other ‘80s and ‘90s hard-rock acts, including Terry Ilous of XYZ, Anthony Corder of Tora Tora and Jaron Gulino of Lynch Mob and Tantric. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. $30-$82. Mango Rita’s Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. bit.ly/4nykmiH
4. The Downtown Showdown finals at Sugarshack
The new Bonita Springs concert venue/restaurant hosts the finals for its first-ever singing competition. Southwest Florida singers will compete in front of live audiences for a $2,500 grand prize and more. Local celebrities serve as the judges. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12. Free admission. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 301-4321 or sugarshackdowntown.com
5. Musical ‘Cabaret’ at The Belle Theatre
The Cape Coral theater stages the classic musical set in 1930s Berlin as the Nazis rise to power. The show is packed with iconic songs such as “Willkommen,” “Mein Herr,” “Maybe This Time” and the title song. Now through Aug. 16. $25 ($15 for students). The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Suite 135, in The Towers at Santa Barbara shopping center, Cape Coral. 323-5533 or thebelletheatre.com
MORE THINGS TO DO: Psychic John Edwards, anime festival, Calusa Nature Center’s Summer FestivalThe rock musical “Grease”: Now through Aug. 10 at Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers. $25 ($15 for students). playerscircletheater.comBroadway Palm musical ‘Annie’: Now through Saturday, Aug. 9, at Broadway Palm dinner theater, Fort Myers. $65-$85 ($45 for ages 12 and younger). broadwaypalm.com’80s tribute band The Molly Ringwalds: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers. $38-$66. CaloosaSoundAmp.com10th-anniversary wrestling event for Fort Myers’ Real Pro Wrestling: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Millennial Brewing Co., downtown Fort Myers. $15 at the door. facebook.com/realproflMetal/hard rock band DONEFOR’s CD release show: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, Fort Myers. $20 ($30 for ages 18-20). theranchfortmyers.comCalusa Nature Center’s Summer Festival, new event featuring a dunk tank, games, competitions, a bounce house and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Fort Myers. $13 for adults, $7 for children. calusanature.orgSWFL Anime-Fest Show, anime-focused convention featuring cosplay, celebrity guests, vendors, trivia and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, Fort Myers. $20. swflanimefest.comPsychic and author John Edward, discussing new book “Chasing Evil,” demonstrating his psychic skills and participating in a VIP Q&A after the main event. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Caloosa Sound Convention Center, downtown Fort Myers. $100 ($175 for VIP). johnedward.net/events/fort-myers-fl-4LOOKING AHEADThe Stage reopens with tribute to Elvis, Buddy Holly and more
Bonita Springs venue/restaurant The Stage is a go-to place for tribute bands celebrating beloved musical acts in rock, pop, country, R&B and other genres. The venue reopens for the 2025-26 season with The Johnny Rogers Band performing “History of Rock n Roll,” including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15. $25. Doors open at 5 p.m. A full dinner menu is available. The Stage, 9144 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. 405-8566 or stagebonita.com
Free admission for kids at IMAG History & Science Center
IMAG marks its big 30th anniversary with free admission for kids and a day of hands-on activities, animal shows, demonstrations, food trucks, crafts, a science show and a “Super-Fantastic Foam Party.” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. Free admission for children, 30-percent discount for adults (usually $20). IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, downtown Fort Myers. 243-0043 or theimag.org
‘Oklahoma! In Concert’
Players Circle stages a concert version of the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical with eight professional singers and 20 up-and-coming young performers. Aug. 12-31. $35-$45. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
Danny Sinoff Trio at Davis Art Center
Popular Southwest Florida jazz singer/pianist Danny Sinoff performs and improvises on jazz classics with his trio. Part of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15. $15-$20. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).