10 great shows to see in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs: 38 Special, Lita Ford

Rockers 38 Special and Lita Ford. Grammy-winning singer Judith Hill. The 20th anniversary of downtown Fort Myers' Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival.

Those are just four of the biggest concerts happening this January in the Fort Myers, Bonita Springs area. Here are our top picks for the best shows to see:

38 SPECIAL AT CALOOSA SOUND

The classic rockers are best known for "Hold On Loosely," “Caught Up In You," "Rockin' Into The Night" and other '80s hits. Guitarist/singer Don Barnes is the only original member in the band. 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4. $30-$98. Reserved, four-person VIP tables are $500. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. CaloosaSoundAmp.com

CARMEN LUNDY AT ARTS BONITA

Singer Carmen Lundy has been making music in New York City's jazz scene since 1978. She's been nominated twice for the Grammy Awards' Best Jazz Vocal Album. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. $49-$55. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

BEETHOVEN NO. 5 & THE BRITISH INVASION AT MANN HALL

Violinist Charles Yang of classical crossover trio Time For Three joins the Southwest Florida Symphony on Ravel’s “Tzigane,” The Beatles’ “Blackbird” and The Animals’ version of the standard “House of the Rising Sun.” The symphony also performs Beethoven’s famous “Symphony No. 5” and Caroline Shaw’s “Entr’acte.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. $25-$115. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

DELLA MAE AT DAVIS ART CENTER

All-woman string band Della Mae was founded in Boston by lead vocalist/guitarist Celia Woodsmith and two-time grand-national champion fiddle player Kimber Ludiker. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. $45-$50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com

STEVE LUONGO PROJECT AT DAVIS ART CENTER

Fort Myers drummer Steve Luongo ― formerly of The John Entwistle Band and Rat Race Choir ― performs with his new classic-rock band. They'll cover songs by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Who, The Police, Led Zeppelin and more, plus Luongo will tell stories from his long career. The show also features video of the bands being covered. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan 13. $45-$50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com

JEREMY DENK AT BIG ARTS

Renowned American pianist Jeremy Denk has won the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize. He frequently performs at Carnegie Hall. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. $69. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel Island. 395-0900 or bigarts.org

LITA FORD AT THE RANCH

'70s and '80s hard-rocker Lita Ford returns for another Fort Myers show. Ford started her career with all-women rock band The Runaways, best known for their 1976 hit "Cherry Bomb." Her later solo hits include “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever” (with Ozzy Osbourne). Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. $43. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

DAN NAVARRO AT ACMA

Singer-songwriter Dan Navarro's songs have appeared in many movies and TV shows, including "Deadpool 2," "Talladega Nights," "This Is Us," "American Idol" and "The Office." He previously performed in acoustic duo Lowen & Navarro from 1990-2008. He's also a voice actor and arts advocate. Andy Getch opens the show. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. $20. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org

JUDITH HILL AT BIG ARTS

Grammy-winning singer Judith Hill was featured in the Academy Award-winning movie “20 Feet From Stardom," a salute to music's greatest back-up singers. She's toured with Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Ringo Starr. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. $72. Seating is limited. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel Island. 395-0900 or bigarts.org

CALOOSAHATCHEE CELTIC FESTIVAL IN FORT MYERS

The 20th annual Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival celebrates its big anniversary with Celtic and Irish-music bands Albannach, The Screaming Orphans, Syr, Byrne Brothers, West of Galway and more. Plus food, dancers and vendors. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27-28. Daily admission is $12-$15 per day, or $20-$25 for a weekend pass. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. cityftmyers.com/2123/Celtic-Festival

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: 10 best concerts to see in Fort Myers, Bonita: 38 Special, Lita Ford