WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

The Peace River National Art Festival runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 17-18 at Laishley Park. Pictured is Flamingo by featured artist Marcus Thomas 639-8810. COURTESY PHOTOS Theater
¦ Red - By Florida Rep through March
25. (239) 332-4488 or www.floridarep.
org.
¦ The Great American Trailer
Park Musical - By Broadway Palm
Dinner Theatre through April 29. (239)
278-4422.
¦ Chicago The Musical - March
16-April 1 at Cultural Park Theater, Cape
Coral. (239) 772-5862.
¦ The School for Wives - By Theatre Conspiracy March 23-April 7 at the
Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the
Arts. (239) 936-3239 or www.theatreconspiracy.org.
¦ In The Next Room, or The
Vibrator Play - By Laboratory Theater through March 24. (239) 218-0481 or
www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
¦ Brigadoon - By Broadway Palm
Dinner Theatre through March 31. (239)
278-4422.
¦ TRU - By Florida Repertory Theatre
through March 18. (239) 332-4488 or
www.floridarep.org.
Symphony
¦ Down-Home Music - Ricky
Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder are joined
by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
at 8 p.m. March 16 for an evening of
rousing, down-home music at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. (239) 597-
1900 or www.ThePhil.org.
¦ Pops Series - Southwest Florida Symphony’s Pops Series presents
“Broadway: Behind the Mask” at 8 p.m.
March 16-17 at the Barbara B. Mann
Performing Arts Hall. (239) 418-1500 or
www.bbmannpah.com.
¦ Rodgers Songbook - The Gulf
Coast Symphony presents renditions of
melodies by great American composer
Richard Rodgers in “Richard Rodgers
Songbook” at 7:30 p.m. March 18 at the
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
Enjoy a pre-concert champagne and
chocolate reception by artisan chocolatier Norman Love Confections. $25.
www.gulfcoastsymphony.org or (239)
481-4849.
Thursday, March 15
¦ History Program - Jacqueline
Brown from the Charlotte County Historical Center discusses “Charlotte
County in the Civil War” at 7 p.m. as
the “More than a Trifling Affair: A Tour
of Southwest Florida in the Civil War”
Speaker Series. 22959 Bayshore Rd. Free.
590-1330 or asnapp@fgcu.edu.
¦ Country Western - One Eyed Cat
performs from 7-9 p.m. center stage at
Fishermen’s Village. 639-8721.
¦ Art Event - Punta Gorda Gallery
Walk runs from 5-8 p.m. in the downtown Punta Gorda Historic District.
Enjoy art, music, shopping and dining.
391-4856.
¦ Nature Walk - The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center hosts a free
guided hike at 8:30 a.m. at the Charlotte
Flatwoods Environmental Park, 15801
Tamiami Trail. Upcoming dates are
April 9, 12 and 28. 575-5435.

Here Come the Mummies returns to downtown Punta Gorda for Funkfest 3 on March 31. Gates open at 3 p.m. with Cover Art, Hymn for Her and The BoogieMen. VIP tickets include food and drink. $85 per person; $650 per table. General admission is $17 in advance; $20 at the gate. www.herecomethemummies.com. ¦ Musical Program - Cul-Cen Productions presents “Do You Remember,”
a musical with songs from Motown,
“West Side Story” and many favorites
from that era at the Cultural Center
Theater. The Forever Young Tap Dancers also perform. Show times are 7 p.m.
tonightthoughSaturday,plusa2p.m.
performance on Saturday. Enjoy an Irish
Dinner & Theater at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
$9 members, $10 non-members. Dinner
& Theater are $22. 625-4175, ext. 221.
¦ Live Music - One Eyed Cat performs from noon-2 p.m. center court at
Fishermen’s Village. 639-8721.
¦ Dinner Music - It’s Karaoke Night
from 6-8 p.m. at the Lions Den Restaurant at the Kings Gate Golf Club. 24000
Rampart Blvd. 625-0680, ext. 5.
¦ Live Tunes - The Harbor Knights
perform from 6-9 p.m. at the Nav-AGator. 9700 SW Riverview Cir., Lake
Suzy. 627-FISH.
¦ Music Session - The Gilchrist
Park Music Jam Session takes place
from 6-10 p.m. every Thursday at 400
W. Retta Esplanade. Join in or listen
to diverse musical offerings of guitar,
bluegrass, jazz, folk and country music.
661-5622.
Friday, March 16
¦ Friends Lunch - The Friends of
the Punta Gorda Library present their
fourth annual luncheon at 10:30 a.m. at
the Twin Isles Country Club. Literary
actress Barbara Rinella performs a onewoman show, “Cleopatra: A Life” by
Stacy Schiff. $30-$35. 301 Madrid Blvd.
639-8839 or balbarran@earthlink.net.
¦ Live Tunes - The Copperhead Band
performs from 8 p.m.-midnight at Joe
Cracker Sportsgrille, 1020 El Jobean Rd.
258-3444.
¦ Live Music - Reconnections Band
performs variety music from 5-8 p.m.
center stage at Fishermen’s Village. 639-
8721.
¦ Town Tours - Almost every Friday
through to May 2012, the Punta Gorda
Chamber of Commerce offers Discovery Punta Gorda tours by boat/trolley
combo or just trolleys. The two combo
tours depart Fishermen’s Village at 1:30
p.m. and 3 p.m. with the trolley-only
tour departing at 3 p.m. 639-3720.

¦ Vegas Vibe - “Viva Las Vegas,”
starring Jimmy Mazz, starts at 7:30 p.m.
tonight and Saturday at the Charlotte
Players’ Langdon Playhouse. $15. 255-
1022 or www.charlotteplayers.org.
¦ Wine & Song - D’Vines hosts a Vineyard Selections Wine Tasting event from
7-9 p.m. Enjoy music by PCP (aka Pierre,
Claire and Paul) for a pre-St. Paddy’s Day
party with party favors, green beer and
more. 701 JC Center Ct. 627-WINE (9463).
¦ Quilting Group - The Peace River
Quilter’s Guild meets from 10 a.m.-2
p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. 833-4477.
Saturday, March 17
¦ Elvis Show - Elvis tribute artist
Doug King performs his “Tribute to
Elvis” show at 8 p.m. at Nemo’s Sports
Cafe inside Harbor Lanes in Port Charlotte. 3192 NE Harbor Blvd. 625-4794.
¦ Field Trip - The Peace River Audubon Society hosts a field trip to the Babcock Webb Wildlife Management Area.
The target bird is the red-cockaded
woodpecker. Meet at the park entrance
pay station at 7 a.m. DJL8339@comcast.
net or (586) 214-0203.
¦ Irish Supper - The Episcopal
Church of the Good Shepherd in Punta
Gorda serves its annual Irish Corned
Beef and Cabbage Dinner at 6 p.m. in
celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. $12. 401
W. Henry St. 639-2757.
¦ Wine Event - Gilded Grape Winery hosts a Wine Tasting and Customer
Appreciation St. Patrick’s Day event
from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy karaoke under the
stars with Dino. $5. 235-9463 or www.
gildedgrape.com.
¦ Home Tours - The Punta Gorda
Historical Society offers historic home
tours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and from
noon-4 p.m. Sunday. See eight buildings
in the PG Historic District. $10. Get tickets at the PG Woman’s Club Building,
118 Sullivan St. 639-1887 or pghs118@
centurylink.net.
¦ Start Your Engines - Punta
Gorda Speedway features Late Model
Sportsmen for 50 laps, along with Pro
Trucks, Rooke Trucks, Road Warriors
an more. Grandstands open at 4 p.m.
with racing around 6 p.m. $10 adults, $8
seniors, 12 and under free. 575-72234 or
www.puntagordaspeedway.com.

¦ Crafts & More - The Spring Buckler’s Craft Fair runs today and Sunday
at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. $6. (386) 860-0092 or
bpcrafts@cfl.rr.com.
¦ Art Fest - The annual Peace River
National Art Festival runs from 10 a.m.-
5 p.m. today and Sunday at Laishley
Park. 639-8810.
¦ Seafood & Cars - The Matlacha
Mariners host their 11th annual Southwest Florida Seafood Festival, Classic
Car & Bike Show from 11 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. at the German American Club, 2101
SW Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral. Enjoy
a wide variety of fresh seafood, live
music and the area’s best classic cars.
898-5004, 699-9393 or 2257.
¦ Irish Fest - A St. Patrick’s Day
Celebration runs from 5-9 p.m. at Fishermen’s Village. Enjoy traditional Irish
tunes by Lee County Pipes & Drums
and Marcille Wallis & Friends plus Irish
dancers and food. 637-4874.
¦ Nature Hike - The Manatee-Sarasota Group of the Sierra Club hosts a
Little Manatee River State Park Hike at
8:15 a.m. Wear sturdy shoes and bring
water, a trail snack and sun protection. To carpool, meet at 7:15 a.m. in
the truck parking lot for Cracker Barrel
Restaurant at SR 64 and I-75. -795-8973
or 752-3200.
¦ Art Class - Join instructor Jill
Park for a beginner’s Portrait Drawing
Class from 2-5 p.m. The six-week session runs through April 21 at the Punta
Gorda YMCA. $60 for Y members, $80
for non-members. 10169 Tamiami Trail.
505-4000.
¦ Green Beer - D’Vines hosts a St.
Paddy’s Day Party from 8-11 p.m. Enjoy
party favors, green beer and more. 701
JC Center Ct. 627-WINE (9463).
¦ Live Tunes - The Jack Mosley Band
performs from 2-5 p.m. and Golden
Hippo plays from 6-9 p.m. at the Nav-
A-Gator. 9700 SW Riverview Cir., Lake
Suzy. 627-FISH.
¦ Wood Crafting - The Peace River
Woodturners meet from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
at the Charlotte County Cultural Center
Community Room. 2280 Aaron St., Port
Charlotte. 743-5140.
¦ Farmers Market - A farmers market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to
1 p.m. at Taylor Street and West Olympia Avenue in front of the old Charlotte
County Courthouse. Shop for fresh and
organic produce, seafood, baked goods
and more. 391-4856.
Sunday, March 18
¦ Beatles Tribute - The Royal Palm
Players host The Nowhere Band at 4 p.m.
at the Boca Grande Community Center.
The band brings The Beatles to life with
period costumes and authentic instruments. $79 adults, $50 kids under 12. 964-
2670 or www.royalpalmplayers.com.
¦ Authentically Irish - George
Casey (County Clare) and Cahal Dunne
(County Cork) present laughter and
songs from Ireland at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at
the Cultural Center of Charlotte County.
$15- $17. 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte.
625-4175 or www.theculturalcenter.com.
¦ Live Music - Latitude performs
from 6-9 p.m. at the Nav-A-Gator. 9700
SW Riverview Cir., Lake Suzy. 627-FISH.

¦ Fashion Show - The American
Business Women’s Association holds its
Spring Fling Fashion Show from 1-5 p.m.
at Visani, 2400 Kings Highway. $25, with
proceeds benefiting the ABWA’s scholarship program. 255-3555.
¦ Farmers Market - The Punta
Gorda Historical Society has a farmers
market from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday
in History Park, 501 Shreve Street. Vendors can call 380-6814 or e-mail Ldesguin@hotmail.com.
Monday, March 19
¦ Free Film - Feature filmmaker and
producer Rob Tritton presents a free
screening of “Endure,” starring Judd
Nelson, Joey Lauren Adams and Tom
Arnold, at 6 p.m. at the Mid-County
Regional Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson
Blvd. 613-3166,
¦ Concert Series - Burnt Store
Presbyterian Church’s 2012 Concert
Series comes to a close with a 7:30 p.m.
performance by the Woody Herman
Orchestra. $20. 11330 Burnt Store Rd.
639-0001 or info83@embarqmail.com.
¦ Jazz & More - The Charlotte
County Big Band plays at 7 p.m. at the
Cultural Center of Charlotte County,
2280 Aaron St. $8-9. This is a fundraiser
for the Charlotte High School Band.
www.charlottecountybigband.com.
¦ Banjo Tunes - The Four Lead
Strummers play from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
center stage at Fishermen’s Village. 637-
0515.
¦ Painting Group - The VAC Plein
Air Group meets from 9 a.m.-noon, location TBA. 627-2770, 639-8810 or www.
vacpleinair.webs.com.
¦ Play Bells - The Joyful Ringers
handbell choir rehearses from 4-6 p.m.
Mondays in the Music Suite at North
Port High School, 6400 W. Price Blvd.
423-0726.
¦ Dance Classes - Professional
dance instructors Frank and Donna
Alsip have classes starting at 6 p.m.
at the Punta Gorda Historical Society
Woman’s Club, 118 Sullivan St. Learn
American and Latin dance styles. 473-
5468 or frankalsip@comcast.net.
¦ Singing Time - The North Port
Chorale rehearses from 6:30-9 p.m. on
Mondays in the Music Suite of the
North Port High School, 6400 W. Price
Blvd. 423-7335 or www.northportchorale. info.
Tuesday, March 20
¦ Military Reception - The Military
Heritage Museum hosts a Reception
for Military Women and Rosies from
4-6 p.m. in honor of Women’s History
Month. Free. 575-9002.
¦ Denver Tribute - John Denver tribute artist Tom Beck performs “Rocky
Mountain Memories” at 7 p.m. at the
Cultural Center of Charlotte County.
$18. 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. 625-
4175 or www.theculturalcenter.com.
¦ Lunch Program - PGICA hosts a
Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
at 2001 Shreve St. Enjoy a free lunch
and a lecture featuring Dr. Charles Triola on the topic of P.A.D. Reservations
required: 637-1655.

¦ Nature Walk - The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center hosts a free
guided tour of Deep Creek Preserve at
8:30 a.m. 10797 SW Peace River St. 575-
5435 or chec@sunline.net.
¦ Wood Art - The Charlotte County
Woodcarvers Club meets from 8 a.m.-
noon at the Punta Gorda Boat Club, 802
W. Retta Esplanade. 505-4246 or 639-1947.
Wednesday, March 21
¦ Irish Comedy - Visani hosts “The
Irish Comedy Tour” tonight through
Saturday. 2400 Kings Highway. www.
visani.net or or 629-9191.
¦ Stewart Tribute - Rod Stewart
tribute artist Rick Larrimore performs at
7 p.m. at the Cultural Center of Charlotte
County Theater. $13 members, $5 nonmembers. 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte.
625-4175 or www.theculturalcenter.com.
¦ Lenten Study - Burnt Store Presbyterian Church offers a Lenten study
series titled “Final Words from the Cross”
at 5:45 p.m. every Wednesday through
March 28. The study series follows “The
Works” dinner at 4:45 p.m. Dinner is a $5
donation. 11330 Burnt Store Rd. 639-0001
or info83@embarqmail.com.
¦ Fun for Singles - The Shell Factory
hosts a Singles Mingle from 6-9 p.m. every
Wednesday in the Dolphin Club with
music by Erich. (239) 995-2141, ext. 117.
Upcoming Events
¦ Easter Fun - The Punta Gorda
Historical Society Easter Egg Hunt runs
from 10 a.m.-noon March 31 at History
Park, 501 Shreve St. Children from 1-10
are welcome to hunt for eggs and win
prizes. 639-1887.
¦ Country Tunes - The inaugural
Rockin Country Bash is set for March 245
at the Punta Gorda Speedway. Enjoy a day
of family fun including kids’ events and
live music By the Buck Shot Band, Tayzor
Ban and Push, and more. $10, kids 6 and
under are free. 8655 Piper Rd. 575-7223.

¦ Religious Drama - The Franciscan Mystery Players of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Cape Coral present
“The Way of the Cross” at 7:30 p.m.
March 23 at the Episcopal Church of
the Good Shepherd in Punta Gorda.
The multi-media presentation provides
a living enactment of the Stations of the
Cross. 401 W. Henry St. 639-2757.
¦ Variety Show - “The Carol and
Johnnie Variety show” starts at 2 p.m.
March 25 at the Cultural Center of
Charlotte County Theater. Enjoy some
golden oldies, comedy, impersonations
and ventriloquism featuring Roger the
Codger, plus a tribute to the silverscreen cowboys. $8 members, $9 nonmembers. 2280 Aaron St. 625-4175.
¦ Fashion Show - The Charlotte
County Democratic Women’s Club
hosts a fashion show by BoutiqueOn-
Wheels from 1-3 p.m. March 25 at the
Punta Gorda Woman’s Club, 118 Sullivan
St., Punta Gorda. Enjoy finger food, door
prizes and more. $15. 661-1577.
¦ Mazz & Tobin - Jimmy Mazz
and Patrick Tobin come together to
create the ultra cool personalities of
“The Chairman of the Board” and “The
Prince” of the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra
and Dean Martin, at 7 p.m. March 25 at
the Cultural Center of Charlotte County
Theater. $15. 2280 Aaron St. 625-4175 or
www.theculturalcenter.com
¦ Benefit Breakfast - A Pancake
Breakfast for Relay For Life is set for
8-10 a.m. March 30 at Sterling House.
Enjoy hotcakes, melon, sausage, coffee
and juice with proceeds going to the
American Cancer Society. 250 Bal Harbor Blvd. 575-9900.
¦ Art Event - The second annual
Art Sarasota returns March 30-April 2
aboard SeaFair, America’s megayacht
venue. The event gathers 28 galleries and features exhibitions, receptions,
cocktail parties and music on the sky
deck. SeaFair docks at Marina Jack’s at 2
Marina Plaza. $15-$30. www.expoships.
com.

Ongoing Events
¦ Yoga Class - Yoga at Periwinkle
Place offers Yoga Flow at 5:30 p.m. on
Mondays and Fridays. Walk-ins are $10.
855-0232 or portcharlottey
¦ Glass Exhibit - “American Studio Glass: Fifty Years of Extraordinary
Achievement” is on view in the Richard
and Barbara Basch Gallery at the Ringling College of Art and Design through
March 24. The exhibition of more than
30 works features some of the major
figures in the American Studio Glass
movement. 2363 Bradenton Rd., Sarasota. 351-5100.
¦ Plant Sale - A Native and Florida
Friendly Plant Sale runs from 9 a.m.-2:30
p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays throughout
the winter season at CHEC’s Alligator
Creek Preserve, 10942 Burnt Store Rd.
Proceeds help fund environmental programs at CHEC. 575-5435.
¦ Flea Market - The Train Depot
Outdoor Flea Market runs from 8:30
a.m.-2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each
month at the Punta Gorda Train Depot
Freight Dock at Taylor Road and Carmalita Street. To reserve space: 639-6774.
¦ Fitness Program - The Cultural
Center Fitness Salon offers the Silver-
Sneakers Fitness Program, an exercise
program designed for older adults.
(800) 295-4993, 625-4175, ext. 263, or
www.silversneakers.com.
¦ SilverSneakers - SilverSneakers
members can enjoy full membership
privileges at the Punta Gorda YMCA,
including the use of cardiovascular and
toning equipment and participation in
fitness classes. SilverSneakers classes
are offered twice a week. 505-4000.
¦ Fitness Classes - Certified group
exercise instructor Mimi Ford presents
Forever Fit Total Body Workouts from
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Mondays and
Wednesdays at the Franz Ross Park
YMCA in Port Charlotte. Forever Fit is a
low impact/variable intensity class that
is included with a YMCA membership.
629-9622.
¦ Bicycle Rides - Acme Bicycle
Shop hosts rides of 15-35 miles, weather permitting, every Saturday. Meet at
Acme in the Crosstrails Center in Punta
Gorda. Rides start at 8:30 a.m. Helmets
required. 258-3400 or 286-5393.
¦ Sunday Pedal - Acme Bicycle
Shop hosts a 50-mile Sunday Breakfast
Ride on the second and fourth Sundays
of the month, starting at the Winn-Dixie
parking lot in Punta Gorda near I-75 Exit
164. Meet at 7:15 a.m. and depart at 7:30.
Helmets required. 258-3400 or 286-5393.
¦ Love to Garden? - The Charlotte
County Master Gardeners present plant
clinic featuring Florida gardening tips
at the PGICA from 2-4 p.m. on the
third Tuesday of each month at the
Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association,
2001 Shreve St.
¦ Line Dancing - Take the stage from
7-9 p.m. every Wednesday in Center
Court at Fishermen’s Village in Punta
Gorda. Cost: $3. 575-8188. ¦

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