“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” The stage version of the colorful animated love story. Today through Sunday. $35-$104. Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
“Something Rotten!” The smash Broadway musical comedy is set in the time of William Shakespeare. It follows two brothers who — after a soothsayer tells them the future of theater involves singing and dancing — attempt to write the world’s very first musical. Today through Sunday. $80-$125. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 597-1111 or artisnaples.org
Lehigh Spring Festival The nine-day annual event continues with vendors, food, carnival rides and games, stage presentations, live bands, crafts, a parade (11 a.m. Saturday on Homestead Road from Beth Stacey Boulevard to Arthur Avenue), contests, a beer and wine tent, a barbecue cook-off, a car show, pageants and more. Now through Saturday. Free. Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres. lehighspringfestival.online
Best live music in SWFL: Top bands to see March 17-23
Columbus ships Nina and Pinta land in Fort Myers These replicas of Columbus’s famous ships return to Fort Myers. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Monday. $6-$8 for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour. No reservation needed. Pinchers Restaurant at Edison Ford Marina, 2360 West First St., downtown Fort Myers. 787-672-2152 or ninapinta.org
Spring Baked IV The fourth-annual reggae fest brings good vibes to Fort Myers with local bands SOWFLO, Wilder Sons and Roots Almighty, plus touring bands Soul Survivors, Rasun and Sol Seed. Starts at 4 p.m. $10-$15 in advance, $20 the day of the event. Catch 22 Live Music and Sports Bar, 1400 Colonial Blvd., Suite 57, Fort Myers. eventbrite.com/e/spring-baked-iv-tickets-31173474702?aff=eac2
“Nice T!ts” Actor/playwright Amy Marcs performs in this comic exploration of her roller-coaster experience with cancer and its effects on femininity, confidence and mortality. March 17-19. $24 ($11 for students). Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 936-3239 or theatreconspiracy.org
Neal McCoy The country star performs. 9 p.m. $21-$56. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
St. Patrick’s Day Block Party Celebrate the holiday with four bands scheduled to play throughout the night: Electric Mud, The Marty Stokes Band, The Hipnauticals and Tommy Barr. Plus specials at downtown restaurants and bars. 4-10 p.m. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com
St. Patrick’s Day Bash This free event includes live music by Chuck Peterson, Irish food, green beer, Irish dancers, an Irish adult costume contest and more. Noon to 7 p.m. The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. 995-2141 or or shellfactory.com
Water & Wheels Festival The 11th-annual fest features three days of car and boat shows, art, entertainment, food and drink. Cape Harbour, 5703 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral. capeharbour.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
Cape Coral Spring Break ReggaeFest The third-annual fest goes big this year with headliner Maxi Priest. The reggae crossover star scored several hits in the 80s and 90s, including “That Girl” (with Shaggy), “Wild World” and the No. 1 “Close to You.” The outdoor fest features more than a dozen other reggae bands on two stages, including local and Florida bands Jahfe, Jah Movement, Spred the Dub, Nostaljah, No Need, Roots Almighty, The JewMaicans, The Freecoasters and Jammin’ G’s. Gates open at 1 p.m. and bands play from 2-11 p.m. Then there will be a reggae jam from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. inside the nearby club Rockade. Advance tickets are $10-$15 for general admission and $20 on the day of the event. Ages 12-18 must add a $10 surcharge. VIP tickets are $30 and include front-stage viewing. Dixie Roadhouse, 1023 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. 541-7900 or thedixie.com
Southwest Florida Reading Festival The annual fest boasts bestselling writers such as thriller novelists James Grippando (the Jack Swyteck series) and Gregg Hurwitz (the “Orphan X” series), hot new novelist Nathan Hill of Naples (“The Nix”), young-adult-fiction author Sara Shepard (the “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Lying Game” series) and kids author Chris Grabenstein (“Word of Mouse,” “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library”). At least 21 more authors will attend the free fest, including Shelley Shepard Gray, Mark Greaney, Susan Wiggs, Lori Wilde, Kami Garcia, S.J. Kincaid, Salina Yoon and Candace Fleming. The 18th-annual event is organized by the Lee County Library System to promote reading and the library. It features book signings, contests, meet-and-greets, author talks, readings, activities and free books for kids and teens, a teen battle of the bands and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Free. Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. Readfest.org
Naples author talks about hit ‘The Nix,’ TV series, Reading Fest
Suicide Is a Drag The annual fundraiser features drag-queen performances, burlesque dancers, live music, a silent auction, dinner, cocktails and more. The event raises money for C.A.R.E.S. Suicide Prevention. Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., performances at 8 p.m. $60. The Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers. 425-3468 or caresprevention.ticketleap.com/suicide-is-a-drag-2017
Hooter Girls swimsuit competition Local Hooters Girls compete in a swimsuit competition for the chance to win $30,000 and become Miss Hooters International. The contests are hosted by 2016 Miss Hooters International and Hooters calendar cover girl Sable Robbert. Live music is provided by The Dweebs. The two local competitions take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Naples Hooters, then 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the Fort Myers Hooters. Free. The winners get sent to compete in the 21st Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant later this year. HootersFlorida.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 19
“9 to 5” Last chance to see Dolly Parton’s musical based on her hit 1980 movie. Three co-workers kidnap their terrible boss and make female-friendly changes in the office. March 9-19. $48-$53. TheatreZone in the G&L Theatre at The Community School of Naples, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. 888-966-3352 or theatrezone-florida.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
Carol Burnett The comedy legend returns to Fort Myers for a night of laughter and reflection. The show features video clips and questions from the audience — similar to the famously unfiltered opening of “The Carol Burnett Show.” 7:30 p.m. $62-$158. Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
“After Rauschenberg” This juried art exhibit featured work inspired by the late legend’s nontraditional and experimental approach to art. March 22-April 29. Free admission. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel Island. 395-0900 or bigarts.org
Gallagher The water-smashing comedian brings his “Jokes on You Tour” to Naples. $20-$30. 8:15 p.m. Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 1100, Naples. 389-6901 or offthehookcomedy.com
FRIDAY, MARCH 24
“The Cave” The world premiere of this play from “Dexter” author Jeff Lindsay. A Union soldier, a Confederate soldier and a runaway slave have a chance encounter while looking to escape from the Civil War. Performed by Theatre Conspiracy. March 24-April 8. $24. Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 936-3239 or theatreconspiracy.org
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” The quirky, satirical, Tony-winning musical about kids competing in a spelling bee. March 24-April 12. $45-$52. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
“Hairspray” The 1950s return to Cape Coral in this hit musical that racked up eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A lovable, plus-sized teen gets the chance to dance on the popular Corny Collins TV show — much to the chagrin of the reigning teen queen. March 24-April 2. $13-$19. Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com
Jefferson Starship This version of the hit-making band doesn’t include singers Mickey Thomas or Grace Slick, but it does have founding members David Freiberg and Donny Baldwin. Grammy nominee Cathy Richardson takes over Slick’s spot. 8 p.m. $38-$48. Southwest Performing Arts Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. 389-6901 or swflpac.com
Wycliffe Gordon The celebrated trombonist performs as part of the Jazzy Nights series. Cocktails at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 in advance, $35 at the door. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
I Love The 90’s Tour Do you love the 90s? If you do, Germain Arena has a concert for you. Some of that decade’s best-known pop acts will perform March 25: Vanilla Ice, Naughty By Nature, Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, Rob Base, All-4-One and Young MC. Together, the bands have an impressive lineup of hits, including “Ice Ice Baby” (Vanilla Ice), “O.P.P.” (Naughty By Nature), “Fly” and “Every Morning” (Sugar Ray), “It Takes Two” (Rob Base), “I Swear” (All-4-One) and “Bust a Move” (Young MC). 8 p.m. $35-$90. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or germainarena.com
Jon Pardi The country singer performs “Dirt on My Boots,” “Up All Night” and more. 9 p.m. $24-$56. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Sounds of Jazz and Blues Trumpeter Rick Braun headlines the annual music festival. Plus opening acts Gruv Therapy and Mike Imbasciani & His Bluesrockerz. 5-10 p.m. $40-$45. Tarpon Point Marina, 6179 Black Marlin Lane, Cape Coral. Capeconcerts.com
Celebrate Bonita Country star Joe Nichols returns to Southwest Florida to play the first of two local shows this weekend: The annual Celebrate Bonita! festival. Nichols’ hits include “Yeah,” “Brokenheartsville,” “Sunny and 75” and “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.” The four-time Grammy Award nominee will headline the festival, which celebrates the city’s birthday with live bands, food, vendors, displays, a kids activity area with rides and a fun house, and more. The musical lineup also features The Ben Allen Band, Sarah Hadeka and the SCS Band. 2-9 p.m. Free. See below for Nichols’ other show Sunday in Cape Coral. Celebrate Bonita takes place at Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or visit cityofbonitasprings.org.
“The Merchant of Venice” The Shakespeare classic about love, intolerance, humor and mercy. March 25-April 15. $20-$64. Gulfshore Playhouse at The Norris Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S., downtown Naples. 261-7529 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org
“Night at the Opera” The Southwest Florida Symphony and the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida take on arias and choruses from some of the world’s most famous operas. NBC-2 meteorologist Robert Van Winkle narrates and tells the stories behind the music. 8 p.m. $27-$87. Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Charter School Authority Rally with Joe Nichols If you didn’t get enough Joe Nichols at Celebrate Bonita, the country star is also playing this fourth-annual fundraiser in Cape Coral. The day’s activities include scavenger hunts, games, inflatables, rides, a car and truck show, a vendor marketplace and live entertainment by the Ben Allen Band, Joe Nichols and more. The event benefits classrooms for The City of Cape Coral Charter Schools. Noon to 6 p.m. Free. German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. charterauthorityrally.org
Goldenfest Celebrate golden retrievers and other dogs at this annual event that features pet vendors, rescued animals available for adoption, pet portraits, live entertainment and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. 995-2141 or or shellfactory.com
Bluegrass in the Theater Join fellow acoustic-music lovers in the Foulds Theatre for three hours of live music by Ryan Bladen (otherwise known as “Little Eddie”), Highland Grass and The Bugtussle Ramblers. Presented in partnership with the Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida. 2 p.m. $10. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
“Wicked” star teaches workshop Laura Woyasz played Glinda in Broadway’s “Wicked.” Now she’s visiting Fort Myers to teach a workshop on singing and acting. 2-4:30 p.m. $85 participate, $20 to watch. Curtain Call Studios, 15250 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit #119-120, Fort Myers. 208-9138 or curtaincallstudios.com