Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency
Dear colleagues and community partners,
 
We are excited to share this monthly communication dedicated to Arts & Culture activities within our redevelopment areas. The Fort Myers CRA with its numerous community partners have supported arts and cultural developments in the City of Palms since 1984. We invite you to share and participate in these events. Your support is invaluable to our community.
 
For questions related these activities, or to share a community art or cultural event occurring within our redevelopment areas call (239) 321-7100 or email us at cra@cityftmyers.com.
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC) was founded in 1997 by Jim Griffith as Florida Arts, Inc. SBDAC hosts concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibits, dance, independent film, cotillion, and arts education. Its mission is to nurture innovation and excellence in the visual and performing arts through these events and community outreach programs.

Location: 2301 First Street
Phone: 239-333-1933

Dec. 3-31, 11:30 am Wednesdays, Fridays, 6:30 pm Tuesdays
(Arrive 15 minutes early to register), $16

Dec. 3 - 4, 11 am - 10 pm, Dec. 5, 11 am - 5 pm, $2 Donation Entry

Dec. 3, 5:30 pm, No Cost

Dec. 3 - 29, Entry Donation (Opening Dec. 3, 6 pm)

Dec. 4, 10 am - 2 pm, $6 per Child (No Cost for Ages 2 & Under)

Dec. 4, 7:30 pm - 10 pm, No Cost

Dec. 6, 7 pm, $10 General Admission, $8 Students & Seniors
(Doors open 6:30 pm)

Dec. 16, 8 pm, $10 General Admission

Dec. 17, 8 pm - 11 pm, DJ Selecta AJ, No Cost
River District Alliance
The mission of the River District Alliance (RDA) is to promote and enhance the continued development of the historic Fort Myers River District as a hub of economic, social and cultural activity.

As one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, the RDA strives to preserve the essence of downtown while promoting the growth of the business and economic sectors that make the area thrive.

Location: 1401B Lee Street

Dec. 3, 5:30 pm - 10 pm, No Cost

Dec. 3, 6 pm - 10 pm, No Cost

Dec. 17, 6 pm - 10 pm, No Cost

Dec. 31, 6 pm - 12:30 am, No Cost
Arts for ACT Gallery
Arts for ACT Gallery is the non-profit art gallery, studio and boutique owned by Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT), the domestic violence, sexual assault and Human Trafficking Center.

Location: 2265 First Street
Phone: 239-337-5050

Dec. 3 - 31, No Cost (Opening Dec. 3, 6 pm; Exhibit through Jan. 3)

Dec. 8, 15, 22, 29, 1 pm - 3 pm, $5 - 15
DAAS Co-Op Gallery at the Butterfly Estates
We are Southwest Florida’s premier Art Gallery, featuring some of the best artists of our area. Our gallery operates in a cooperative system, which means that we all participate, collaborate, coordinate and tend to all business matters. DAAS stands for David Acevedo Art Studio. Acevedo is the founder, curator and director of the venue. DAAS Gallery holds exhibition opening receptions every first Friday of the month, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., in conjunction with Fort Myers Art Walk.

Location: 1815 Fowler Street, Unit 3
Phone: 239-590-8645

Dec. 3 - 26, No Cost (Opening Dec. 3, 6 pm)
Ollie Mack Gentry Photography
Ollie Mack Gentry Photography Studio & Gallery is a full-service photography studio, offering the highest quality images and service for a variety of different occasions. From individual headshots and family portraits to iconic people, places and things.

Location: 2443 First Street
Phone: 239-440-0061

Dec. 3, 6 pm
Florida Repertory Theatre
Florida Rep is Back! Celebrating 24 years of Award-Winning Regional Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre is a fully professional regional theatre company located in the heart of the Fort Myers River District. Performing in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre, Florida Rep welcomes over 90,000 visitors to Southwest Florida each year, to see nationally recognized comedies, dramas, new plays, and musicals. “As Good as Broadway!” -The Wall Street Journal

Location: 2268 Bay Street
Phone: 239-332-4488

Dec. 3-15, Single Tickets Start at $55
Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally-known winter home site of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Visitors will enjoy touring 20+ acres of historic homes, buildings and gardens, the Edison Botanic Research Laboratory and the Edison Ford Museum.

Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd.
Phone: 239-334-7419

Dec. 3 - 24, 26 - 31, 5:30 - 9:30 pm,
$20 Self-Guided Tours Adults, $10 Teens ages 13-19, $2 Children ages 6-12; $30 Guided Tours Adults, $25 Teens ages 13-19, $18 Children ages 6-12, $10 Members (Runs to Jan. 2)

Dec. 4 - 5, 9 am, No Cost

Dec. 5, 10 am, $40 Members, $60 Non-Members

Dec. 11, 10 am, $60 Members, $75 Non-Members

Dec. 18, 10:30 am, $90 Members, $100 Non-Members
(Registration required at least 24 hours in advance)

Dec. 20 - 23, 9 am, $160 Members, $185 Non-Members

Dec. 27 - 30, 9 am, $160 Members, $185 Non-Members
True Tours
True Tours walking history tours are not only fun, the history is documented, fascinating and often surprising. Our tours consistently receive 4.5 Star + reviews for their entertainment and educational value. Private tours are available. All tours (except The Armchair Tour) leave from The Franklin Shops, 2200 First Street.

Location: 2200 First Street
Phone: 239-945-0405

Dec. 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 29, 8 p.m., $18, Reservations Required

Dec. 4, 9, 18, 23, 10:30 a.m., $18, Reservations Required

Dec. 1-31, Call for Pricing,
Reserve your own 60-Minute Private Session from Your Home/Venue
Reservations Required

Dec. 1-31, Call for Pricing, Reserve your own Private Tour
Reservations Required
Williams Academy Black History Museum
The Williams Academy Black History Museum preserves the history and culture of Black people in Lee County. Housed in the 1942 addition to the original 1913 Williams Academy building, the Williams Academy was one of the area’s first schools built for Black students using government funds. The Lee County Black History Society, Inc. (LCBHS), acquired the building in 1995, moved it to Roberto Clemente Park, and historically restored it, where they educate, preserve, and display the history and culture of black people in Lee County.

Location: 1936 Henderson Avenue
Phone: 239-332-8778

Now Open with Limited Hours!
Call 239-332-8778 for information and schedules

Dec. 4, 3 pm, No Cost

Dec. 10, 6 pm, No Cost
Neenie's House
Neenie's House is an arts and cultural emporium in the East Palm neighborhood in Fort Myers, FL. This unique venue hosts art openings, music performances, and more. The venue is available for private parties. Visit Neenie's House Mercado every weekend!

Location: 481 Marsh Avenue
Phone: 224-678-4901

Dec. 5, 12, 18, 26, Noon - 4 pm, No Cost

Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28, 7 pm - 10 pm, No Cost
SWFL Band JAM-Boree
The North Law Firm and the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency present this first-of-its-kind battle of the bands event bringing the exciting sights and sounds of some of the best show-style marching bands to Fort Myers!

  • Lakewood H.S. (St. Petersburg, FL) vs. Hertford H.S. (Hertford, NC)
  • Dunbar H.S. (Fort Myers, FL) vs. Spoto H.S. (Tampa, FL)
  • Tampa Tech H.S. (Tampa, FL) vs. Yulee H.S. (Yulee, FL)
  • Ribault H.S. (Jacksonville, FL) vs. Kendrick H.S. (Columbus, GA)

Special Guest Bands:
Marching Typhoons/Coahoma College (Clarksdale, MS)
The ROAR/Florida Memorial University (Miami, FL)

Special Guest:
Emcee-C Akeem McCullough "Dolla Watson", Social Media Star

Location: North Law Firm Stadium, 3800 Edison Avenue
Phone: 224-678-4901

Dec. 5, 3 - 7 pm, $10 Advance Tickets, $12 at the Gate
Quality Life Center
Join the festivities at Quality Life Center on December 17 as the community unites at Let's Celebrate Kwanzaa! Reserve your space now! Due to limited capacity, there is a mandatory R.S.V.P.

Location: Quality Life Center, 3210 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
R.S.V.P. Required: kallen@qlcswfl.org

Dec. 17, 7 pm
The venue below is located near our redevelopment areas
but not within them. We feature them as a partner in the arts to the Fort Myers CRA and other venues within the redevelopment areas.
Alliance for the Arts
The Alliance for the Arts is a vibrant and welcoming nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in the heart of southwest Florida. The Alliance is creative space that spurs and supports self-expression, imagination and equity.

Location: 10091 McGregor Boulevard
Phone: 239-939-2787

Dec. 3 - 4, $10

Dec. 3 - 5, 7:30 pm, Dec. 4, 2 pm

Dec. 4, 9 am - 1 pm, No Cost

Dec. 10, No Cost

Dec. 9 - 11, 16 - 18, 7:30 pm, Dec. 19, 2 pm,
$25 Members, $30 Non-Members

Dec. 12, 3 pm, $15 Members, $16 Non-Members

Dec. 19, 6 pm, $10 Members, $12 Non-Members

Dec. 19, 4 pm, $15 Members, $16 Non-Members
#REDEVELOPMENTWORKS
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