Some couples settle down after they get married. Margaret and Peter Denton sped up.

The Punta Gorda-based parents of a young son (and a second baby on the way) met while loading a shuttle bus to the start of the Boston Marathon in 2012. The duo has built their world around fitness. When they’re not logging laps in the pool, chewing up miles on their bikes or sprinting down trails, they’re coaching athletes, building a sports apparel company and encouraging others to stay active.

Margaret’s social media gives some insight into the couple’s life together. You will see adorable videos on her Instagram account, @irongirlexperiment, of the couple running behind their 5-year-old, Gabriel, after he finishes a 1-mile race and inspiring clips of the 38-year-old sweating through runs in Florida’s 90-plus temperatures, repeating her mantra, “The hard is the good.”

[caption id="attachment_71947" align="aligncenter" width="850"] This fall, the Dentons launch Bomboom, a line of triathlon kits and activewear at accessible prices. “People can feel [properly] dressed for their sport without having to drop hundreds,” Margaret says. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption] 

Being active has been part of the Dentons’ fabric since childhood. Peter, who recently turned 40, grew up on the water (when he was 10, his family sailed from Maryland to Seattle through the Panama Canal), and he excelled at track and cross country in high school. Margaret comes from a family of elite athletes—one sibling played professional baseball, another semi-pro soccer and a third was her college softball team captain. Besides a brief stint playing tennis (she says she wasn’t very good), the Californian didn’t take up sports until after college, when a roommate suggested she couldn’t run a marathon. It’d be too hard, her friend advised. But, Margaret thrives in the challenge zone. After four months of training, she finished the 26.2-mile Las Vegas Marathon, sparking a love of endurance sports. She longed for the feeling of pushing her body as she flew through the miles.

The Dentons still find plenty of common ground through their competitive spirit and love of living life full throttle. Early on, they lived on an 83-foot-tall ship docked in California, where they’d leap into the ocean for open-water swims. When they moved to Washington state, Margaret commuted to work on two wheels and fell in love with cycling. Eleven years later, she feels strongest on a bike. “It’s my floater skill,” she says, referring to the edge she gains on her bike during races as she speeds past competitors.

[caption id="attachment_71948" align="alignleft" width="683"] Margaret’s also launching the Bombloom nonprofit to provide gear for women at every stage—whether it’s young girls being introduced to fitness at an early age, moms looking for balance or older women in need of a healthy outlet. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

In 2017, Margaret set a new goal: race a full Ironman triathlon—a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. “I bite things off in really big chunks,” she says. She taught herself proper swimming form watching YouTube videos and mastered tri bikes, learning to click her shoes in and out of the pedals to improve her efficiency and crouch over drop bars to capitalize on aerodynamics. That year, Margaret competed in Ironman Canada-Whistler. Despite competing on a heavy, entry-level bike and combating about 7,500 feet of climbing on the notoriously hilly course, she finished a respectable 18th in her age group. “It was magic,” she says. “I got all the finish line feels and magic of an Ironman.”

Margaret also felt fitter than ever after training in the three disciplines. Her enthusiasm spread to Peter, and the two participated in Ironman Louisville in 2019. Right after the race, they learned she was pregnant with Gabriel. Early parenthood slowed them down some—but not much. Two years later, Margaret placed in the top 10 in her age group at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Utah. Sponsorships with Bumbleride strollers, Pit Viper sunglasses and New Wave Swim Buoys started rolling in.

The couple’s athletic discipline translates into daily life, allowing them to deftly juggle myriad responsibilities and the hits that come with life. In 2022, the family relocated to Punta Gorda after Peter landed a new job as a firefighter. Within the year, Hurricane Ian walloped the region, destroying their home. Remodeling and repairs consumed resources and threw a kink in their racing plans.

But they kept going. While Peter has been focusing on his firefighting career, Margaret returned to the sport full force this year. She’s already done a half marathon and Olympic-distance triathlon and has a half-Ironman in the books for December—as she enters her third trimester. She’s eyeing half- and full-Ironmans for next year.

They make it a point to move daily. Peter focuses on running, cycling and CrossFit training, and spearfishing keeps the water lover (who can hold his breath for a whopping 5 minutes and 45 seconds) in competitive swim shape. Margaret trains about 20 hours a week, running 5 to 6 of those hours—often while pushing Gabriel in a stroller, sometimes with Peter pacing her. Cycling takes place mostly indoors on her stationary trainer.

As parents with full-time jobs and a new company on the rise (this fall, they launch Bomboom, a line of price-accessible triathlon kits and other athletic wear), the Dentons squeeze in most of their training separately, but they still run and swim together. Running with her husband—whose marathon personal record is 2 hours and 37 minutes—has made Margaret faster. Traveling to races on weekends strengthens their bond, too. “Whenever you’re really into something, it can get weird, so it’s good to connect with someone on the same level,” Peter says with a laugh.

Margaret balances her training with running her marketing business and working with about 10 athletes—including her 73-year-old father-in-law—through her online coaching service. She’s also launching the nonprofit Bombloom to help reduce barriers to entry for girls and women getting into athletics by providing gear. “Triathlon is an incredible way to get fit fast and have community and do something that’s fulfilling and incredibly motivating,” she says. Margaret wants to help other women focus on themselves—whether it’s the 11-year-old girl she met at the pool who couldn’t afford swim classes or moms like her looking for a healthy outlet. “[The demands of] motherhood, getting hit by a hurricane—all of these things that come against you in life—how do you push past those and maintain motivation to do the thing that brings you balance and joy?” Margaret poses. “Well, you have to have the tools.”

[caption id="attachment_71949" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Margaret and Peter are avid runners. “Running is where I fill my bucket,” she says. “It’s spiritual and physical and emotional.” The couple likes to hit trails at Peace River Wildlife Center preserve and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

It’s a busy life, and finding balance isn’t always easy. “I have to constantly check my priorities,” Margaret says. “I find if I don’t prioritize triathlon, two things happen—training doesn’t get done and I’m crankier.” But, the payoff is huge. “It’s like one big date,” she says. “We’re always hanging out with each other.”

[caption id="attachment_71950" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

The post This Punta Gorda-Based Couple Run, Ride and Thrive Together appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Arielle Valle emerges from her studio with her long, brown hair tied into a bun, concrete smudged on her face and flaking off her skin from elbow to fingertip. “Today's a concrete day; we're like, ‘Pretend I'm not here.’ I'm locked in my little cave like a gremlin all day long,” the multihyphenate maker says.

Arielle and her mother, Beth, run Cape Coral’s The Wallflower Shoppe, where they sell their handmade ‘soulful essentials,’ including Arielle’s concrete pottery, Beth’s natural beauty and home products, and the duo’s signature eco-friendly, nontoxic candles, which they mix and pour in house.

On 47th Terrace, just a few blocks from Cape Coral’s Midpoint Memorial Bridge, the shop is marked by a mural from Fort Myers artist Gabrielle Kesecker. The whimsical doodles of mushrooms and flowers span the windows of the 1976 former real estate building the Valles renovated over seven months. The women spent five years building their brand of sustainably minded home decor and wellness products at artisan markets nationwide before opening their shop.

[ngg src="galleries" ids="436" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]The peaceful, eight-month-old boutique prompts guests to linger, explore and try the goods. A rattan seating area, dubbed the ‘day room’ for its sunny exposure, fronts a coffee bar with brews from Cape Coral’s Bones Coffee Company and gluten-free and vegan treats from the next-door Sweet Real bakery. In the center of the spacious front room, tables and shelves house a mix of Wallflower’s artisan wares alongside goods from other makers with a similar ethos (think: sustainable yoga mats and blocks from the Cape’s 42 Birds).

Opposite the day room is the cozy ‘green room,’ named after the many plants surrounding the space’s plush, burgundy furniture. Mood lighting from a farmhouse chandelier and a nearby floor lamp make this area a perfect reading and study nook. “We have a group of high school girls that comes every week,” Beth says of the growing band of regulars the Valles nurture. “To take a break, they wander around, smell things and have tea.” They’re so cute,” Arielle adds.

Arielle started making candles as a way to unwind after years of working multiple jobs in her 20s. She was living at her parents’ house with her brothers, sisters-in-law and a few close family friends. “It was like everyone decided, ‘Well, she's got this big house, we’ve got to fill the rooms,’” Beth says with a laugh.

To help Arielle out of a funk, she and her sister-in-law went to Hobby Lobby on a whim for candle-making supplies. Soon, Arielle started selling her organic, minimalist products at local markets. Mom would often help, and she brought along expertise from her lifelong interest in healing essential oils. After Beth retired from her career as a firefighter-paramedic in Broward County earlier this year, she moved to Cape Coral and went all in on her daughter’s venture.

Behind the coffee bar, two separate workspaces help the tight-knit duo keep up with Wallflower production. In the lab to the right, Beth translates her obsession with plant-derived oils into a beauty line, with an aloe-based shampoo and conditioner, moisturizing cold-pressed face oils and vitamin E-infused hand scrubs. Both women produce the flagship coconut soy-wax candles, and Arielle hand-casts the containers for their Signature Concrete Candles line. The younger Valle woman added concrete pottery to her repertoire a few years ago, eager to offer eco-friendly, refillable vessels.

[ngg src="galleries" ids="437" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]Working on-site, Arielle mixes rapid cement concrete with water to pour into molds, sourced from a fellow artist on Etsy. She manipulates the industrial material into organic shapes using plant-based pigments to yield earthy hues and marbled effects on miniature busts of Michaelangelo’s David, sculptural vases inspired by historic aristocrats, and an assortment of dinnerware and trinket catchalls. She’s now also dabbling in furniture-making, starting with a concrete tabletop for her home kitchen.

Arielle finds magic in the craft. “Literally, it was a bag of frickin’ sand a few hours ago, and now look how pretty it is,” she says, palming an in-process desert-hued candle jar. A water-based, food-safe sealant—her ‘secret ingredient’—gives the pieces their satin appearance, a nod to the collection’s Old World sensibility.

On the opposite side of the Valles’ workspaces, a moody hallway covered in dark, botanical wallpaper leads guests to a more experiential side of Wallflower: a yoga studio and workshop. The intimate studio—outfitted with 42 Birds’ biodegradable, chemical-free, grippy cork mats—hosts yoga classes and full moon meditation sessions. In the nearby candle-making workshop, another mural by Gabrielle cheekily plays off the shop’s name with the title of Stephen Chbosky’s book The Perks of Being a Wallflower. There, small groups learn mindfulness-centric practices, like the Hindi tradition of henna tattooing, terrarium building and candle-making. “If you take a candle class with me, I give you the science—the firefighter in me comes out—the measurement and why we do this,” Beth says, laughing. “[Arielle’s] just like ‘Eh, pour it in.’”

The space also serves as a DIY refill station for regulars who’ve got the process down and like to experiment with the add-ons from the shelf, stocked with scented oils, crystals, dried flowers and aromatic herbs. Everything in the space is designed around the women’s mission to promote holistic, Earth-friendly practices locally. “It’s always about the community,” Arielle says.

The post Cape Coral’s Best Shop for Eco-Friendly Homewares appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Stepping inside this Marco Island apartment, you’re prompted to take a deep, cleansing breath. Inhale, a space done in subtle variants of cream with every detail conceived to exalt the Gulf views—exhale, the worries of the day. A generous Burton James sofa covered in performance fabric beckons family and guests to enjoy the view of the Ten Thousand Islands in the living room. “We wanted your eye drawn out to the beautiful water without busy patterns interfering with the peaceful vibe,” the homeowner says.
Previously, the four-bedroom condo in the Veracruz at Cape Marco paraded an ornate, Tuscan-inspired style. For a while, the family lived with the pomp; their three sons were still in school, so they only visited their Marco retreat a few weeks a year. Now, with the boys off to college and the husband and wife logging about six months in their subtropical abode, they’ve commissioned a space created in their image.

Bonita Springs-based Signal House Builders connected the couple with Naples’ Little Palm Design Group, where interior designers Dawn Harmon and Kirsten Young took on the project. “The floor plan was dated, it was dark and broken up into smaller rooms, so the first thing we did was open it up,” Dawn says. Structurally, that meant removing a wall between the kitchen and living area, squaring off some of the bedrooms for a better use of space, redoing cabinetry and adding beams in the ceilings to house overhead lighting. The Little Palm team also replaced the condo’s baseboards, molding, flooring and hardware. “There’s not a surface that wasn’t touched,” Dawn says.

The directive was clear when adding back decorative touches: “Soft and creamy, light and airy, and comfortable,” Dawn says. She and Kirsten worked toward a plush, contemporary style with classic touches. “We wanted it to feel timeless, not trendy,” Dawn says. “Clean-lined, clean colors but with accents like crystal and marble—the sorts of materials you never get tired of.”
The tone is set from the entryway. The duo replaced the solid doors with five-panel frosted glass versions to allow light to flood in. Dawn laid the entry’s white oak flooring in a herringbone pattern to set the area apart from the rest of the home, lined the vestibule in grasscloth wallpaper for a rich effect and added furnishings with soft gold accents to enhance the laid-back elegance. “We tried to offer a yin and yang with textures—the nubby, textured wallpaper contrasts with the slick mirror; the earthier, warmer wood on the flooring is a counterpoint to the crystal chandelier,” Dawn says.

The tone-on-tone palette of neutrals continues throughout the home. Two living areas, the dining room and kitchen stretch beyond the vestibule, with quartzite, shellstone, walnut, glass and burnished brass creating a sophisticated but unfussy blend.

The ‘must’ for the great room was a giant sectional that could accommodate the family of five. “This is where everyone hangs out to watch TV or play games,” Dawn says. Low-slung side tables are integrated into the sectional, and a pair of ottomans have sliding tables on top to hold more food or drinks.
A feature wall, with a shellstone fireplace surround, holds the TV and walnut built-ins with a custom neutral-brown stain. “We worked really hard to get the red out with that finish,” Dawn says. The cabinetry is anchored with a Taj Mahal Quartzite, a nod to the Crystal Quartzite of the kitchen countertops. “It’s a nice way to bring in the elements of the island and offers a contrast to the wood,” she adds.

Warmly tinted walnut continues in the adjoining dining room’s built-in bar. “The bar is the highlight of the space,” says Dawn, noting that the doors can pocket back to display the content of the cabinets. Above the round table hangs a chandelier with clear extruded glass tubs and a burnished brass base.

On the other side of the room, the bright-white kitchen cabinets flaunt brass hardware, and the backsplash incorporates a wavy tile pattern—a nod to beachside living. The team added a second island to allow plenty of space for prep and entertaining. “One’s more a working island, the other is for gathering and eating,” Dawn says. The kitchen wall stretches down to a smaller family room that culminates in what the designer calls the “magic window.” “It has the prettiest view in the whole apartment,” she says. “That’s the artwork, the wow of the room.”

In every space—from the larger gathering areas to the more intimate bedrooms—the Little Palm team mixed textures. Textured chenille chairs, a wool rug, velvet pillows and fuzzy knit throws offer coziness without distracting from the view in the family area. In the primary bedroom, rod pocket drapes above floor-to-ceiling windows cover blinds and hardware, and a silk bedcover, faux fur throw and pale leather bench soften the stark white walls. “They make the room feel gentle, serene and quiet,” Dawn says. “After all, that’s why they come here.”

Builder: Signal House Builders
Interior Design: Little Palm Design Group
Photography: Diana Todorova

[ngg src="galleries" ids="435" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"] 

The post A Luxe, Minimalist Family Retreat on Marco Island appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Steps off Old 41’s paver-stone stretch, a flurry of white umbrellas and rattan chairs grant access to the string-light adorned Downtown Coffee and Wine Company. Java-juiced crowds of neighbors and friends shuffle in and out, pausing at the sidewalk to greet a familiar face or claiming a cream-colored concrete table to soak up good company before jetting off to work. The staple Downtown Bonita Springs haunt—built out of a minimalistic structure from the first half of the 1900s—feels more tenured than its age. Owners Brandon and Caitlin Schewe opened the doors just five years ago, but for Downtown Bonita Springs today, that may as well be a lifetime. “The coffee shop helped change people’s view of the area,” Caitlin says. “They started to believe that this could be something cool, something new.”

The successful opening of Downtown Coffee sent up a signal flare to other young, like-minded Southwest Floridians. Downtown Bonita was on the precipice of a long-awaited renaissance. Since 2019, more than a dozen small businesses, ranging from restaurants, bars and breweries to boutiques, salons and spas, have joined the ranks of legacied stalwarts, like Survey Cafe, Shangri-La Springs and Maria’s Restaurant. “We go to Maria’s a lot for Taco Tuesdays,” Brandon says. “I used to show up there with like 20 to 30 of our friends back in the days when we were just starting out with the coffee shop.”

[caption id="attachment_71915" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Many point to Caitlin and Brandon Schewe’s Downtown Coffee and Wine Company’s opening in 2019 as the beginning of Downtown Bonita Springs’ long-awaited renaissance. The once-abandoned Old 41 corridor is now a hub of activity, with dozens of new and soon-to-arrive bars, boutiques, breweries and restaurants, including Caitlin and Brandon’s other hotspot The Bohemian (below). Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71916" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

Brandon and a legion of other locals also flock to El Gran Taco Loco, the stand behind the town’s catch-all for snacks, dried chilis and pantry essentials, Benson’s Grocery. Benson’s, like most of the beauty parlors, antique stores and shops that fill the main drag storefronts, has long served the area’s backbone Hispanic community.

Tucked next to a strip mall tattoo parlor, Tortilleria Jalisco presses out hot tortillas ready to order, and about half of the signage downtown reads in Spanish. Other sites reach further back to Bonita Springs’ roots as a pioneer settlement-turned-winter retreat. The charm shines through attractions like Old 41’s oldest home (and base for the Bonita Springs Historical Society), The McSwain House, a 1915 shotgun-style structure built from locally cut and milled wood. The restored home remains open daily for tours, and the backyard butterfly garden—perfect for a leisurely afternoon with a book—is always open to the public. Likewise, the quirky, 1930s roadside animal attraction, the Wonder Gardens, maintains its Old Florida flair with its tea house and wrought iron aviary pavilions that flutter with tropical plumage. A motley crew of boaters still take to the Imperial River every Christmas for a parade of dubiously decked-out vessels. And, the bellow of church bells rings through the afternoon daily.

The original recipe for Downtown Bonita Springs remains, but it’s taken on an undeniable fusion flavor. Ceremony Brewing, Zach Smith’s artisanally inclined punk rock brewery with a penchant for skeletal logos, hosts monthly ‘emo nights’ that draw loads of millennial and Gen Z beer lovers. Chris Magnus—owner of the new food truck park-meets-rooftop bar, Rooftop at Riverside—serves local history-themed cocktails and hosts ‘Reggae Summer Sundays.’ “If you look at our Bonita Springs slogan—Small Town Charm, Big Bright Future—I think that’s something we’ve got to keep,” Chris says. He credits the city leaders with minding caution amid expansion—this isn’t the place to get your Starbucks fix. While the city of Bonita Springs booms with big box stores and high rises, downtown stands separate, unique. “It still feels like a pretty small town,” Chris says.

[caption id="attachment_71917" align="aligncenter" width="850"] A spirit of collaboration unites the area’s young entrepreneurs—most of whom are between their 20s and 40s. Ceremony Brewing owner Zach Smith (right) and Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge co-owner Danielle Dyer often partner on a trolley hop along the Old 41 corridor (follow the bars’ social media accounts for dates and tickets). Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

Many of the entrepreneurial newcomers, like Brandon and Caitlin, have reclaimed once-abandoned structures, adding a distinctly youthful, bohemian vibe to the eccentric town. Others capitalize on new structures from developers like Kyle Moran, of Moran Kennedy, or Steve Hovland, the man behind downtown’s buzz-worthy retail center, Entrada Plaza. The plaza on the corner of Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road is home to croissant-haven and haute coffee shop Wolfmoon Bakery; intimate and eclectic tapas joint The Bohemian; local natural skincare startup Cleansing Essentials; and the trendy, plush-couch-filled women’s boutique Love, Celine. “These are all, importantly, local entrepreneurs,” Kyle says.

With each new restaurant opening, bar or brewery launch and boutique offering, you can find a young, passionate Southwest Floridian at the helm; most fall between their 20s and 40s. Many—like Stephen and Danielle Dyer, of the three-year-old, rustic-polished Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge—have long called Bonita home and simply wanted to serve the community they loved. Some—like Jennifer Kallstrom, the 23-year-old owner of Love, Celine—are Neopolitans who turned northward to launch their eclectic ventures. “When I was looking for where to open, I just kept coming back to Old 41. I don’t know why—it just felt right,” Jennifer says. “It’s growing so much.” Others, like the guys behind Sugarshack Downtown have spent years growing and evolving right alongside the town.

[caption id="attachment_71918" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Sugarshack Downtown, expected to open in fall of 2024, is the most hype-generating opening on the horizon. The new venture from local jam session connoisseurs Sugarshack Media (below) positions Bonita as a hub for live music. Courtesy Sugarshack Media[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71919" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Courtesy Sugarshack Media[/caption]

Long loved for their highly popular, streamable jam sessions, Sugarshack blossomed out of cofounder and musician Eddie Kopp’s 1940s house, a few blocks from downtown, a decade ago. The thick, subtropical setting of his Bonita backyard has had as much to do with the brand’s growth as anything else. Viewers loved seeing their favorite bands play unplugged, in a lush, unmanicured setting with the faint sound of crickets and frogs in the background. There was no question on where they’d plant their flag when the group was ready to expand. Now, Sugarshack is gearing up to open the kind of music venue the team has long hoped for in Southwest Florida—a place to draw local bands like Rock Republic and West Wave alongside the contemporary touring artists they like to work with at their backyard sessions, those who have hopscotched straight from Tampa to Miami for years. The mellow joint will sit somewhere between a gastropub and a mini-amphitheater and is expected to bring a much-needed boost to the local music scene. “Bonita is receptive to new ideas; it’s a hidden gem,” Eddie says. “To be a part of the growth of Bonita and this kind of revitalization of downtown is really special and really important to me and my team. We’ve been trying to put Bonita on the map for the past 10 years with Sugarshack, and I think this next chapter is going to do that to the biggest extent.”

Despite the potential for competition amongst the businesses sprouting like mushrooms in damp soil, there’s an undeniable camaraderie among the energetic, impassioned crowd. Before launching Wolfmoon in 2023, owner Clara Fasciglione sold her now-famous croissants at Downtown Coffee and Wine Company; Love, Celine’s Jennifer frequents Brandon and Caitlin’s next-door, upscale restaurant, The Bohemian; Chartreuse and The Bohemian share the talents of Southwest Florida’s premier bartender Stanley Worrell—the list goes on. The entrepreneurs advise one another, promote one another, and occasionally, they schedule a booze trolley together to hop from one of their spots to the next (keep an eye on the joints’ social media for the heads-up on dates and tickets).

[caption id="attachment_71920" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Natural skincare boutique Cleansing Essentials (right) and soon-to-come Sauna House, a modern bathhouse with a communal sauna and cold-plunge pool, represent downtown’s new mood—a forward-thinking ethos centered on mindful consumption, community-building and living it up with stellar food, drinks and experiences. Photography by Zach Stovall[/caption]

And, there’s more on the horizon. This fall, Naples health and fitness devotee Robert Sorenson opens the doors to Sauna House—a modern bathhouse with communal sauna spaces, cold-plunge pools and a nonalcoholic bar with local kombuchas and teas. Brandon and Caitlin are cooking up their third Downtown Bonita hotspot, the Canary Club. Expected to open sometime next year, the restaurant hones in on the lunch crowd with wood-fired sourdough pizzas, spun with the fresh, spice-filled flavors found at the intersection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Zach is working with his landlord to renovate the existing structures around Ceremony and add two new restaurants to the shady roadside corridor, and Kyle is finalizing plans for six new eateries and libations hubs that should trickle into the Downtown District over the next five years. The developer has been on a mission to coax out the area’s potential since moving to Bonita Springs in 1993. Back then, he says, the area was little more than an industrial wasteland. Now, Kyle says “Downtown Bonita Springs has tremendous potential and appears well on its way to becoming a vibrant destination for the three Cs: culture, commerce and community.”

[caption id="attachment_71921" align="aligncenter" width="850"] While the vibe is hip and youthful at new-wave places like recently opened food truck park Rooftop at Riverside and speakeasy-inspired Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge (above), Bonita heritage shines through in ways big and small. The peacock tiki mugs at Chartreuse recall the flamboyant birds that strut around the iconic Wonder Gardens down the street. Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71922" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

The growth of downtown is not just a matter of new businesses opening, it’s about people: the ones popping open folding chairs to catch a concert in Riverside Park; the families pointing out hawk nests on their walks down the Bonita Estero Rail Trail; the couples launching kayaks into the Imperial River from Riverside Park’s canopied inlet; the kids ordering ice cream at the 15-year-old For Heaven Shakes Ice Cream; and the thousands who flock to the streets of downtown for the annual Independence Day parade. More than 20,000 people have moved to Bonita Springs in the last 20 years, nearly doubling the city’s population and driving more traffic downtown. The city, county and private investors have pumped millions of dollars into improved infrastructure over the last decade, most visibly in the paver-patterned roundabouts, expanded pedestrian sidewalks and crossings, event- and kayaker-friendly green spaces like Riverside Park and generous parking that encourages people to ditch their car and walk or hop on one of the area’s pay-to-ride e-scooters. It’s all part of a greater strategy to redefine the image of Downtown Bonita Springs, a once-burgeoning community center stripped of its through-traffic commerce with the redrawing of Highway 41 in 1977. “When that very disruptive change happened, a lot of downtown was essentially abandoned,” Kyle says.

Zach, a former Naples school teacher, moved to Bonita back in 2012 alongside the throngs of young families who’ve descended on the area over the last decade. “I quickly realized I was not alone,” the brewmaster says. “A lot of the people up here in Bonita are younger working-class families like us.” By the time he launched Ceremony in 2022, choosing a spot in Downtown Bonita was a no-brainer. “It’s just my love for the community,” he says. “I didn’t want it to be anywhere else.” Rooftop at Riverside’s Chris isn’t surprised that the area is drawing families like Zach’s. He grew up around Downtown Bonita, and when he talks about his memories, a familiar wash of nostalgia and anticipation colors his eyes. “I played Bonita League baseball; my dad coached me. Then, my kids played, and I coached them,” he says. Recently, the Magnus family hosted a birthday party for their twins and invited a disparate group of friends from the area. “We thought, heck, we’re going to have to introduce everyone,” Chris says with a laugh. He was wrong. Almost everyone had crossed paths. Some had taught other’s children, others had shared a few stools at the bar or were longtime friends. “It was wonderful,” Chris says. “There’s just something about Bonita.”

[caption id="attachment_71923" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71924" align="aligncenter" width="684"] A series of pastel-hued cottages at downtown’s central Riverside Park serves as artist studios and base camps for local businesses, like CGT Kayaks. The rental company outfits visitors and locals to explore the canopied Imperial River that runs through the heart of town. Photography by Dan Cutrona[/caption]

The post Downtown Bonita Springs—The Best New Place to Live and Play in SWFL appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

The scent and sound of sizzling garlic and onions waft in from an unknown source at Backyard Social in Fort Myers. Plates and paper boats piled high with crispy truffle fries, overloaded lobster rolls and saucy slabs of ribs accessorize outdoor tables and the faces of the people digging into them. Basket pendant lights sway to the thumping R&B remixes from a DJ who’s proven he can handle the demands of the throngs that swarm the 9,000-square-foot space. Somewhere nearby, the rhythmic knocks and tumbles of falling pins from the on-site bowling alley punch into the air.

This is the scene at one of Southwest Florida’s newest food truck parks. Over the past few years, hip, alfresco, social hubs with a range of mobile canteens have popped up locally, from Backyard Social and Bay Street Yard in Fort Myers to Rooftop at Riverside in Bonita Springs and Naples’ Celebration Park.

The then-innovative Celebration blazed the trail in 2018 when it opened in the Bayshore Arts District, quickly cultivating a strong millennial and Gen Z following. The pandemic’s demand to safely gather alfresco fueled the park’s popularity. Post-Hurricane Ian, in 2022, a slate of new parks emerged, filling the need for outdoor-driven, adaptable social spaces with affordable eats and electrifying energy—places where locals could reunite, heal and embrace a remodeled future.

[caption id="attachment_71900" align="aligncenter" width="850"] A slate of events and activities fills food truck parks’ calendars—from the seasonal maker markets at Backyard Social (above) to the dance nights at Bay Street Yard to the Wooftop Wednesdays for dog lovers at Bonita’s Rooftop at Riverside. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

Beyond touting contemporary architecture, striking public art and built-in social games, the venues pump out a wealth of high-quality cuisine. Pick a table at any of these locales, and you’ll be surrounded by a range of skilled home cooks-turned-restaurateurs, barbecue masters in the making and classically trained chefs testing their next ventures. And, each truck offers something distinct.

At Backyard’s No Manches, self-taught Peruvian chef Vanessa Franco Goñi infuses her homeland’s flavors into familiar Mexican dishes for inspired creations like quesabirria bao buns and pork carnitas tacos stuffed in fresh-pressed blue corn tortillas (which Vanessa picks up daily from Tortilleria La Guera in Lehigh Acres). “Cooking my food means independence and doing my own thing,” she says. A few trucks over, Fort Myers-raised, mid-twenties Tyler Goguen brings Central Texas craft-style ’cue to the game with Beau’s BBQ. Thick slabs of beef ribs and brisket by the pound (with a simple dry rub smoked low-and-slow for 15 hours over post oak wood) dance out of the truck alongside soft slices of white bread, pickles and paper boats brimming with picnic sides.

[caption id="attachment_71901" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Chefs revel in the creative challenge of serving from a 120-square-foot food truck. The need for experimentation leads to dishes like quesabirria bao buns at the Mexican-Peruvian No Manches truck at Fort Myers’ Backyard Social. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

Chefs appreciate the creative challenges and freedom of cooking in a 120-square-foot truck. Having no set restaurant menu to occlude the imagination has drawn big-name restaurateurs, like 21 Spices’ Asif Sayed and the Neri family, owners of Naples’ beloved Molto Trattoria. Both restaurateurs have satellite locations at Celebration with blessedly stripped-down versions of their established fine-dining menus (think: roasted lamb naan flatbreads with mint chutney at Asif’s Deccani Bites and classic, deep-fried arancini rice balls at Molto Street Food).

With more options at your fingertips, it’s easy to find something to satisfy everyone—even restricted eaters. The gluten-adverse find pie heaven at Rooftop at Riverside’s Zoey’s Pizza, from father-daughter duo Doug and Zoey Lester. Born partly out of necessity (Zoey has celiac disease), the Lesters’ menu of gluten-free pizzas (plus, free-range chicken wings and salads) relies on flour imported from Italy and recipes informed by Doug’s experience as a Le Cordon Bleu Australia-trained chef.

Not feeling pizza that day? Go to any of the other trucks around Zoey’s for po’ boys with Gulf-caught shrimp at OCN Seafood Co.; savory galettes and sweet crêpes from the French-run Ma Petite Crêperie; and small-batch wholesome and booze-spiked ice cream at Crooked Cow Creamery.

[caption id="attachment_71902" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Backyard Social’s clubby atmosphere—filled with psychedelic murals, old-school games and neon signs—reflects the decidedly youthful tilt of the food truck park craze. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

The vibe within these ‘eatertainment centers’—as Backyard Social’s co-owner Mat Baum calls food truck parks—is decidedly youthful. Backyard exudes the energy of a hip Miami club, with its sprightly, 1980s-inspired synth-wave aesthetic (psychedelic murals, old-school games, neon signs). “There’s no pressure—it allows for people to relax and do what they think is fun,” Mat says.

Rooftop at Riverside celebrates a local sense of place, with its beach house-like, two-story site housing the only rooftop bar in Bonita. Owner Chris Magnus honors his hometown’s heritage on the walls, with relics from the Bonita Springs Historical Society, and on the cocktail menu, developed by TV show Bar Rescue cohost Phil Wills. Special drinks nod to local landmarks and icons like the Belle Myers gin cooler, named after a 1900s ferry that went to and from Downtown Bonita. “People were worried about losing our small-town charm and [having] overdevelopment, so we said, ‘Let’s listen to the people,” Chris says. “Our history in Bonita Springs isn’t really old, but it is really cool.”

To foster a sense of community and make good on food truck parks’ experiential promise, Chris maintains a steady lineup of events, including bingo nights and the charming Wooftop Wednesdays, with dog meals at each truck.

[caption id="attachment_71903" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Celebration Park blazed the trail for Southwest Florida food truck parks in 2018 when it opened in Naples’ Bayshore corridor, fueling the neighborhood’s artful revitalization. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

Entertainment and community are built into the fabric of all the parks, evidenced by the omnipresence of ping-pong tables, cornhole sets and socializing nooks. Fort Myers’ newer Bay Street Yard revolves around its outdoor stage, which hosts live music and has a big screen for sporting events. Renowned Fort Myers-based modernist architect Joyce Owens designed the showpiece venue, using shipping containers for the two bars and bathrooms (with a communal trough sink between) and the upstairs VIP platform. “There are all kinds of different spaces—the lawn with Adirondacks and high-tops; the covered seating area between the bars; upstairs, which has three curtained-off ‘suites’ you can reserve and a rail overlooking the stage,” Joyce says. The warehouse-chic space, across the street from Luminary Hotel & Co., solidifies the area’s reputation as a culinary hub, with three distinct food trucks painted to match Bay Street’s vibe.

Just like Celebration and Rooftop at Riverside are benchmarks for their neighborhoods’ revitalization, Bay Street fosters Downtown Fort Myers’ return as a dynamic urban center. “What’s nice is it’s a contained urban site,” Joyce says. Chance encounters by the trough sink and under the covered bar lead to friendships, lovers groove along to live music (the open-concept, alfresco setting means there’s plenty of room to boogie) and families let children roam free, knowing intrepid tykes can’t venture beyond Bay Street’s strategically walled-in perimeter. “It brings people closer together,” Joyce says. “Like every great party, it’s not spread out.”

[ngg src="galleries" ids="434" display="imagebrowser"]

The post Food Truck Parks Take Over SWFL—Here’s Where to Find the Best Eats appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Alina Rubio is in constant communication with her future self. “I take my 45-year-old self out to coffee,” says the 29-year-old sculptor and owner of southeast Naples’ art studio and creative workspace, MasterPeace. “I talk to her about who she is, what she looks like, feels like, even what her house, furniture and art collection looks like—I hope she has a super cool art collection.” Treating her imagined future like a present reality helps Alina understand what she wants out of life and pursue her goals with intention.

The Miami native has often felt the pull of her older, wiser self at turning points in her journey. During her college years, Alina befriended a fellow artist and introduced herself as a sculptor. There was just one problem—she’d never sculpted before. But, the voice inside compelled her to try. That night, Alina went home and created her first sculpture—a silhouette of a woman carved into wood. Years later, after a stint as a gallerist and art adviser at Miami’s blue-chip Opera Gallery, she felt the pull again. This time, the now-bonafide sculptor was visiting Naples for an art fair and stumbled across the quirky, A-framed shopping complex off Tamiami Trail that became MasterPeace.

[caption id="attachment_71888" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Alina Rubio combines her passions for art, wellness, design, music and education at MasterPeace, a Naples-based studio workshop offering weekly classes, where people at any skill level can embrace creativity. Photography by Christina Bankson[/caption]

Alina set up shop in Naples in May of 2023 to create a safe space where anyone can reflect and explore their creativity through the arts. She is not an art therapist, but Alina’s classes mirror the practice’s principal ideas. “A lot of wellness comes from dedicating a little time to ourselves, whether by drinking more water, going for a walk, listening to music or writing in your journal. MasterPeace is just like an extension of that idea,” she says. In this stylishly serene, open-concept space, the sculptor blends her experience in the Miami fine arts world with her interests in the arts, wellness and education, offering art workshops weekly (and private events) suited for any skill level.

Each workshop is a bit different: One week may combine working with clay and doing yoga with Kim Quan from The Flow Body yoga studio, while the next might be painting and listening to live music from local musicians and Florida Gulf Coast University students. Each class is tailored to foster community and creative ‘flow.’ “For my dad, ‘flow’ has been an important word,” Alina says of the unbridled state of focus and inspiration often described by artists. “It’s like time is slow and fast at the same time and you are just connected.” Throughout her life, Alina watched her parents—her dad is a first-generation Cuban American; her mom emigrated from Venezuela after Alina was born—push through hardships and build successful businesses. Even in the midst of turmoil, her dad tended a lush garden. It kept him centered and present. Through years of reading psychology journals and plumbing anecdotal evidence shared by other creatives, Alina realized being present is the key to mastering creative flow—though that may be easier said than done. “Oftentimes, we get in our heads thinking about the future or the past,” she says. “I’m very guilty of doing that, and with the flow state, it really brings you into a moment of absolute presence in the now.”

[caption id="attachment_71889" align="aligncenter" width="683"] The MasterPeace owner and sculptor displays some of her heritage-inspired creations, such as Chair with Pearl Earring, in the studio. The minimalist, high-back chair is adorned with an oversized stud and hoop, representing the sentimental weight of family heirlooms. Photography by Christina Bankson[/caption]

Alina earned a degree in early childhood education and a minor in fine arts from Florida International University (FIU) in 2018. There, she studied under renowned Miami sculptor Robert Chambers and found refuge in the fifth-floor library. An avid reader, Alina is fascinated by the psychology behind creativity—how it impacts people, relationships and society. Combining this fascination with her studies of teaching methods like Reggio Emilia (a curiosity-driven approach to education out of Italy that is similar to the Montessori method), the MasterPeace maven aims to expose more people to the benefits of investing in the artistic side of their brain in a no-pressure environment, so her students can be more present and tapped in with their inner selves. “It’s a very constructivist teaching style, which means that it is really led by the student and not necessarily led by the teacher. So, I don’t tell you what to do. You tell me what you’re interested in, and we work from there,” Alina says.

While the sculptor looks to her future self for courage, she calls on her past for inspiration. The MasterPeace studio is lined with sculptures and works-in-progress deeply rooted in familial relationships and history. Alina refers to some of her pieces, like Chair with Pearl Earring, as ‘sculptural heirlooms.’ The sturdy wooden chair, seemingly pierced with an oversized pearl stud, signifies the act of passing down an object imbued with memories and sentimental meaning. Recently, she has started producing ‘sculptural poems,’ a series of life-sized shadow boxes that display hand-made sculptures symbolic of her unique connection with specific family members and loved ones.

[caption id="attachment_71890" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Alina follows a creativity- and curiosity-driven Reggio Emilia-inspired teaching method for her ever-evolving workshops. Themes like yoga and pottery set the stage for inspiration, and Alina offers guidance, but students create freely in a no-pressure environment. Photography by Christina Bankson[/caption]

MasterPeace itself is something of a living artwork, underscoring the significance of creativity in every aspect of our lives while weaving together all of Alina’s callings. “Growing up, it always felt like society was putting some kind of rock on my shoulders, telling me I had to pick just one,” Alina says. “ [MasterPeace] pulls together all the things that I have ever loved. This is the poetry. It’s the music. It’s the sculpture. It’s the art. It’s the wellness. It’s the therapy. This is everything.”

[ngg src="galleries" ids="433" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"]

The post Naples’ Best New Art Workshop appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Embark on end-of-summer adventures as a last hurrah with the kids. Tackle, art workshops, community festivals and reading days as the littles bid adieu to vacation days.

Aug. 2-3 

Camp Mending Heart Jr. at Aunt Janet’s House, Naples 

Six- to 10-year-olds working through grief find comfort and fun at Avow Kids’ sleepover camp. Starting at noon, counselors lead the kids through icebreakers, then launch into a series of activities that enhance coping skills and encourage bonding through play. Kids play with visiting therapy animals, splash in the nearby community pool, watch Inside Out 2 to learn how to digest emotions and practice mindfulness through guided meditation. In the morning, counselors teach campers about the importance of balanced meals during breakfast. 

Learn More 

Aug. 4 

New Moon On The Boardwalk at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples 

Catch a glimpse of a Perseid meteor shower, a shooting star spectacle that is projected to be visible during the next to the new moon. Guides usher guests into the wet prairie to see the stars and wildlife through an onsite spotting scope. On land, little explorers listen to a story time reading of Heather Zschock’s Whoo’s There? A Bedtime Shadow Book; engage with mammals furs, alligator skulls and owl pellets on the nocturnal animal touch table; and snack on sandwiches and locally made ice cream. 

Learn More 

Aug. 6-8 

Back to School Tools at Aunt Janet’s House, Naples 

Returning to the classroom can be stressful for some kids, especially when they are navigating their grief journey. Avow Kids helps students learn and implement coping strategies—like breathing techniques—that keep them calm and focused. With the help of the nonprofit’s experts, kids create goals to work on throughout the academic year. 

Aug 6 Back to School Tools ages 11-17: Learn More  

Aug 7 Back to School Tools ages 5-10: Learn More 

Aug 8 Back to School Tools in Immokalee: Learn More 

Aug. 10 

14th Annual Lipman’s Backpack Giveaway and Back to School Event at Immokalee High School 

More than 20,000 backpacks have been distributed to local elementary- and middle school-aged students since 2010. This year, Lipman Family Farms hosts more than 50 local nonprofits—like Guadalupe Center and IMAG History & Science Center—to distribute free bikes, haircuts and backpacks filled with school supplies. 

Learn More 

Aug. 10 

Neapolitan Family Back to School Expo at North Collier Regional Park Gymnasium, Naples 

A mix of up to 60 vendors—from food trucks to fire trucks—are stationed throughout the gym. Princesses and other characters, like Way Too Tall Torrie the stilt walker, greet kids as they snack and sign up for afterschool clubs, classes and sports. Since it’s the first day of early voting, parents are invited to bring their children to the ballot box and show them the ropes of civic duties. 

Learn More 

Aug 17 

Community Day 2024 at IMAG History & Science Center, Fort Myers 

Local nonprofits like Alliance for the Arts, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Dogs Inc. (formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs) come together for a family-friendly celebration of everything that makes Southwest Florida great. Check out science and animal shows and lawn games, then pop over to food vendors like Kona Ice and Firebread Food Truck for flavored shaved ice and subs. 

Learn More 

RECURRING 

First Saturdays 

Nature Explorers at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers 

On August 3, tiny wanderers ages 5 to 11 dive into topics like astronomy, biology, flora and fauna during the two-hour-long, drop-off event. Littles explore the outdoor trails, education center and planetarium.  

Learn More 

Third Saturdays 

Pups ‘N’ Books at Collier County Public Library’s Headquarters Regional Branch, Naples 

Little animal lovers ages 6 to 12 are invited to the library on August 17 to play with and read to service dogs from Naples-based nonprofit Golden Paws Assistance Dogs.  

Learn More  

Fourth Thursdays 

Family Fun Night at Bell Tower Shopping Centre, Fort Myers 

This monthly, two-hour soiree invites families to meet exotic animals from Adam's Animal Encounters, play inflatable archery with Chuck it Axes and indulge in Sweet Dreams’ treat of the evening: cotton candy. Photo ops, family games, a bounce house and face-painting artists bring an extra dose of fun to the shopping plaza. 

Learn More  

Fridays and Saturdays Beginning Aug. 23 

Art Workshops Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples 

The interactive kids museum launches arts and crafts events for kids ages 6 to 10, where various mediums and materials are available for little artists to explore. In August, kids transform cereal boxes into sculptures that reference pop culture and recreate Brazilian artist Romero Britto's playful work with acrylic paint and canvas. 

Learn More  

The post 10 Events for SWFL Kids in August appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

The summer heat is in high gear in Southwest Florida, but there are plenty of activities to cool things down. In Naples, comedian Nate Jackson brings the funny in his comedy show. In Bonita Springs, local artists explore deep connections to themselves and nature in Arts Bonita’s latest exhibition. And in Fort Myers, Candlelight Concerts presents classical arrangements of Adele songs. You won’t want to miss these August events. 

Now through Aug. 10 

Murder on the 19th Hole at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers  

Guests become part of the ‘whodunit’ comedy thriller in the latest from the dinner theater. Revert to 1976, take on a new identity, and try to solve the mystery of who the killer is behind the murder on the 50th  anniversary of a fictitious top Florida golf destination. 

Learn More  

Now through Aug. 11 

Clyde’s at the Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers 

Redemption comes in the form of the perfect sandwich in the regional premiere of this show. Watch as sandwich shop owner Clyde rules over her staff of misfits to keep them on the straight and narrow as they work together for a brighter future.   

Learn More  

Now through Sep. 5 

Floracion at Arts Bonita 

Five local Latina artists create introspective works that explore the deep connections of the soul to nature, themselves and each other.  

Learn More 

Now through Oct. 13 

As We Rise at Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum Naples 

Coined “ Photography from the Black Atlantic,” the exhibition (drawn from Toronto’s The Wedge Collection, which dedicates itself to artists of African descent) explores African culture. Explore poignant themes of beauty, joy, belonging, subjectivity and self-awareness. 

Learn More 

Now through Oct. 31 

United Nation’s Ocean’s Decade Art Exhibit at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, Naples 

This traveling exhibition focuses on the ocean’s significance in an effort to help reverse its decline. It features nearly 40 digital works from artists around the world, highlighting the seven principles of ocean literacy—don’t miss the joint reception with United Arts Collier on August 14.  

Learn More  

Aug. 2 

Days of Future Passed at Seminole Casino, Immokalee 

The Moody Blues’ bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, John Lodge, reprises iconic hits from his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band in this rescheduled show. Stick around for the second set, when John and his crew play the entire Days of Future Passed album with symphonic music and enhanced video and lighting.  

Learn More 

Aug. 2-4 

Nate Jackson at Off the Hook Comedy Club, Naples 

The comedian steps into Naples with ease, hot off his recurring role on NBC’s Young Rock, appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City, and with more than 3.5 million TikTok followers to his name. 

Learn More  

Aug. 2-29 

The Artful 8 at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers 

Eight local artists—including Artsemble Underground co-founders Cesar Aguilera and Brian Weaver—explore the number eight through different lenses. Find original works drawing on everything from harmony and cultural connection to renewal and prosperity.  

Learn More 

Aug. 3 

Tikifest at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda 

Hawaiian, Polynesian and other cultural musical and dance groups perform throughout the open-air shopping and dining destination. Food and art exhibits, vendors and demonstrations stay on tap all day. 

Learn More 

Aug. 5 — Oct. 2 

HOT! HOT! HOT! at Marco Island Center for the Arts 

Artists interpret sweltering weather, food, trends, fire and fashions for the exhibition. Swing by the meet-the-artists reception on Aug. 13 (Don’t fret: If you can’t swing it this month, there’s another reception on Sept. 10). 

Learn More  

Aug. 15 – 25 

Where There’s a Will at Fort Myers Theatre 

A struggling playwright, a demanding manager, an estranged girlfriend and a pressing deadline: Enter William Shakespeare, somehow transported to the year 2014. Brace yourself for plenty of humor and whimsy from the Bard. 

Learn More  

Aug. 16 

Ramón Ayala: El Principio de un Final Tour at Hertz Arena, Estero 

The “King of Accordion” embarks on his farewell retirement tour after 60 years and more than 50 concerts across arenas and auditoriums on both sides of the United States-Mexico border.  

Learn More 

Aug. 17 

Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Adele at Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers 

Thousands of flameless candles illuminate the Listeso String Quartet as they perform symphonic renditions of the British pop singer’s greatest hits. 

Learn More  

Aug. 23 — Sep. 8 

The Studio Players present: It’s Only a Play at Golden Gate Community Center, Naples 

 The theater troupe opens its season with a comedy about the cast of a Broadway flop as they attempt to enjoy their opening night party amid devastating reviews. 

Learn More  

Aug. 31 

Meditation Walk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers 

Tap into mindfulness and nature on this morning wet walk through ​​the Slough. Towering cypress canopies set loom above as woodpeckers, owls and other friendly critters call out from beyond. 

Learn More 

The post 15 August Events in SWFL appeared first on Gulfshore Life.