Top 5 things to do this weekend in Lee County: Bonita Pride pageant, Songwriters 4 Vets

Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?

Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including the annual Songwriters 4 Vets concert and the all-new Bonita Springs Pride Pageant.

Plus we look at what's ahead in the coming weeks: Bluesman Buffalo Nichols, the 10th-annual South Cape BaconFest and more.

To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected].

1. William S. Burroughs and Laurie Anderson exhibit at FSW

Rauschenberg Gallery's William S. Burroughs and Laurie Anderson exhibit features art, artifacts and more, including this untitled 1986 piece by Burroughs. The piece began as a found metal sign. Then Burroughs applied acrylic paint and gun shots.
Rauschenberg Gallery's William S. Burroughs and Laurie Anderson exhibit features art, artifacts and more, including this untitled 1986 piece by Burroughs. The piece began as a found metal sign. Then Burroughs applied acrylic paint and gun shots.

New exhibit "Language Is A Virus" pairs legendary Beat Generation writer William S. Burroughs ("Naked Lunch," "Junkie") and pioneering avant-garde artist/musician Laurie Anderson (“O Superman") for the first time, according to Rauschenberg Gallery. Anderson and the late Burroughs, who died in 1997, were friends and collaborators. The exhibit explores language as "a transformative force, a carrier of ideas and a potential weapon." It features works on paper, unique manuscripts/publications, personal artifacts, handwritten lyrics and never-before-seen original paintings blasted by shotgun and “bowling ball canon." Now through Dec. 7. Free. Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway S.W., Building L, south Fort Myers. 489-9313 or rauschenberggallery.com

2. Songwriters 4 Vets concert in Bonita Springs

Nashville songwriters return for another Southwest Florida concert raising money for military veterans through the Songwriters for Vets foundation. They’ll perform and tell the stories behind their songs. The lineup includes Wyatt Durrette, Channing Wilson, Patrick Davis, Eric Paslay and Levi Lowrey. 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. $125 for a single seat, $375 for a table for four. VIP packages also available. The Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. songwriters4vets.com

3. Bonita Springs Pride Pageant

Bonita Springs Pride founders Dominique Sierra (right) and wife Lora Sierra often perform as drag kings in Southwest Florida.
Bonita Springs Pride founders Dominique Sierra (right) and wife Lora Sierra often perform as drag kings in Southwest Florida.

Bonita Springs gets its first LGBTQ pride pageant in this fundraiser for the upcoming Bonita Springs Pride festival Sept. 28. Participants compete to win the titles of Mr., Miss and Mx. Bonita Springs Pride. Competition categories include "crowning wear" (what they'd wear if they were crowned), talent and Q&A. Organizers say the event is designed to "spotlight the beauty, talent, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals while fostering inclusivity and support within the Bonita Springs community." 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. $13. Ceremony Brewing, 10441 Packinghouse Lane, Bonita Springs. bonitaspringspride.org

4. Southwest Florida Regional Blues Challenge

The Blues Challenge returns to Southwest Florida with local blues acts competing for a chance to move on to the main event next year in Memphis: The International Blues Challenge, where several hundred blues bands from around the world compete for prizes and potential blues stardom. The Fort Myers event is organized by the Southwest Florida Blues Society. 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. Doors open at noon. $10-$20. Mango Rita's Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 11, south Fort Myers. swfbs.org

5. Comedy 'Where There's a Will' at Fort Myers Theatre

Joe Simonelli, left, and Lori Sigrist, right, act out a scene during a rehearsal of a production of The Spirit of Bay Manor put on by The Marco Players on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Joe Simonelli, left, and Lori Sigrist, right, act out a scene during a rehearsal of a production of The Spirit of Bay Manor put on by The Marco Players on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Former New York playwright Joe Simonelli, who now lives in south Fort Myers, co-stars in his play "Where There's a Will." In the comedy, William Shakespeare time travels to modern-day Staten Island to help a struggling playwright. Aug. 22-Sept. 1. $22-$32. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., No. 5, south Fort Myers. 323-6570 or ftmyerstheatre.com

MORE THINGS TO DO

SWFL Sports Card Show in North Fort Myers

Vendors buy, sell and trade a variety of baseball cards, Pokémon cards and other sports cards and memorabilia, from vintage to modern.  There will be more than 70 vendors from across the state, plus giveaways, raffles and barbecue food truck Meatgoons. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. $3 (free for ages 12 and younger). Pondella Bingo, 959 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers. 440-5204 or facebook.com/swflcardshow

LOOKING AHEAD

Fringe Fort Myers fundraiser show: "Stabilized Not Controlled"

Naples actor Frank Blocker stars in the one-man play "Stabilized Not Controlled."
Naples actor Frank Blocker stars in the one-man play "Stabilized Not Controlled."

Fringe-festival regular Frank Blocker performs this edgy one-man play to raise money for Fringe Fort Myers, the annual event featuring comedians, dancers, theatrical acts and more. The actor's decision came after Gov. Ron DeSantis cited "sexualized" fringe fests as the reason for slashing grants for all Florida arts groups this year. Blocker says only a fraction of fringe offerings include adult material, however, and the worldwide events are usually big economy boosters in their respective cities. The adult-oriented "Stabilized Not Controlled" follows the battle between an evil landlord and his arch nemesis, an elderly sex addict in recovery. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug 30. $15-$30. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

Bluesman Buffalo Nichols at Arts Bonita

Bluesman Buffalo Nichols
Bluesman Buffalo Nichols

Musician Carl "Buffalo" Nichols usually plays blues music with a traditional, stripped-down sound. But he ventured into more experimental territory on his latest album, "The Fatalist," adding layers of synthesizer and samples of blues legends such as Charley Patton. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

10th-annual South Cape BaconFest

Visit 11 downtown Cape Coral bars and restaurants to sample bacon-themed drinks and appetizers at the 10th-anniversary South Cape BaconFest. Then vote on your favorites. This year's fest is described as a "walking pub crawl" instead of the usual "trolley event," but limo buses will still be available to shuttle people to four designated areas. From there, they can easily walk to multiple locations. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. $25-$30 ($20 for designated drivers). Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St, Cape Coral, under the front awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation

Stellar Records anniversary

Liz Cochran, owner of Stellar Records in Fort Myers, stands for a portrait on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The store sells new and vintage vinyl records, cassette tapes, vintage decor and more.
Liz Cochran, owner of Stellar Records in Fort Myers, stands for a portrait on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The store sells new and vintage vinyl records, cassette tapes, vintage decor and more.

The Fort Myers record store celebrates its one-year anniversary with a punk-rock concert featuring musical acts Except You, Dave! Ja! Vu!, Weird Times and Go Read Theory. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. $10 admission at the door.  Stellar Records in Miracle Plaza, 4204 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers (across from Edison Mall). 689-5883 or stellarrecordsfl.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 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected].

Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bonita Springs Pride Pageant, Fort Myer Blues Challenge: Things to do