WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

“Hairspray” is performed by the Theatre Department at Edison State College Charlotte Campus April 13-15. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. 637-3513. COURTESY PHOTOS Theater
¦ Dearly Departed - By the Charlotte Players through April 7 at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280
Aaron St. 625-4175, ext. 253.
¦ Hairspray - at Edison State College’s Charlotte Campus April 13-April
15. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for
students with identification. 637-3513
¦ Legally Blonde the Musical
- At Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
April 5-May 13. (239) 278-4422 or www.
BroadwayPalm.com.
¦ The Turn of the Screw - By the
Royal Palm Players April 6 at the Boca
Grande Community Center. 964-2670 or
www.royalpalmplayers.com.
¦ The Art of Song - At the Community Center Auditorium, 131 First St.
West, Boca Grande, at 8 p.m. April 5-7.
(610) 715-1576.
¦ The School for Wives - By Theatre Conspiracy through April 7 at the
Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the
Arts. (239) 936-3239 or www.theatreconspiracy.org.
¦ Black Tie - By the Florida Repertory Theater through April 22, with preview performances on April 4-5. www.
floridarep.org or (239) 332-4488.
¦ Wicked - At the Barbara B. Mann
Performing Arts Hall through April 15.
(239) 481-4849 or www.bbmannpah.com.
¦ The Great American Trailer
Park Musical - By Broadway Palm
Dinner Theatre through April 29. (239)
278-4422.
Symphony
¦ Classical Series - Jorge Mester conducts the Naples Philharmonic
Orchestra in “Shelley Plays Schumann,”
the final concert in the orchestra’s Classical Series, at 8 p.m. April 12-14 at the
Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The
Concert Prelude begins one hour before
each performance. (239) 597-1900 or
www.ThePhil.org.
Thursday, April 5
¦ Health Lecture - Dr. Saeed
Shahzad is the scheduled speaker at the
YMCA Hi-Y’er Club “Successful Aging”
Series Lecture and Lunch at 1 p.m. at the
Franz Ross YMCA on Quesada Avenue.
Lectures include a light lunch. Free to
club members; $3 for others.629-9622.
¦ Book Signing - The PGICA’s Gifted Gator Boutique hosts a multiple
book-signing event featuring five local
authors from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Authors
are: Roger Strube, Dennis Clark, Virginia Crane, Donnie Brennan and Gwyn
Ramsey. Meet the authors and purchase
their books. 2001 Shreve St. www.pgica.
org or 637-1655.
¦ Pet Party - Muttini Mingle, “A
Pawtastic Yappy Hour,” runs from 5:30-
8 p.m. at Fishermen’s Village. Enjoy a
social time for people and their pets
with live music by singer/guitarist
Michael Hirst. 575-7599.
¦ Dinner Music - Daniel Ribel performs from 7-9 p.m. at the Lions Den
Restaurant at the Kings Gate Golf Club.
24000 Rampart Blvd. 625-0680, ext. 5.

Fashion designer Helen Gerro hosts an Earth Day trunk show April 22 at 207 East Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, featuring fashions made from recycled plastics and jewels by Zhia. The event is free and open to the public. ¦ Trop Rock - Punta Gorda’s own Jim
Morris performs from 6-9 p.m. at the
Nav-A-Gator. 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, April 6
¦ Fight Night - Two-time WWE
Champion Alberto Del Rio appears at
the Charlotte Harbor Event Center and
Conference Center. Enjoy a Meet-and-
Greet with fans at 6:30 p.m., plus eight
matches between the Superstars and
Divas of WWE, NXT and FCW. Bell
time is at 7:30 p.m. $10-$20. 75 Taylor
St. 766-6133, (239) 694-5150 or www.fcwwrestling.com.
¦ Trop Rock - Punta Gorda’s own Jim
Morris performs trop rock music from
5-9 p.m. center stage at Fishermen’s Village. ¦ Art Night - Art Walk runs from 6-10
p.m. in downtown Fort Myers. Enjoy
galleries, exhibits, shows, live music and
an after party. www.fortmyersartwalk.
com.
¦ Live Music - Latitude performs
from 7-10 p.m. at the Nav-A-Gator. 9700
SW Riverview Cir., Lake Suzy. 627-FISH.
¦ Movie & Wine - D’Vines shows the
legendary rock and roll horror classic,
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” at 10
p.m. Enjoy a wine tasting from 7-9 p.m.
701 JC Center Ct. 627-WINE (9463).
¦ Town Tours - Almost every Friday
through May, 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.
¦ Quilting Group - The Peace River
Quilter’s Guild meets from 10 a.m.-2
p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. 833-4477.
Saturday, April 7
¦ Easter Event - A Spring Spectacular, featuring a 10,000-count Easter egg
hunt for kids up to age 10, runs from
10 a.m.-2 p.m. today and Sunday at the
Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El
Jobean Rd. Enjoy a day of family fun.
626-0001.
¦ Bar Stool Open - GNO (Girls Night
Out) partners with nine Port Charlotte
bars to present the third annual Bar
Stool Open - Back Nine 3 benefiting the
Charlotte County Homeless Coalition at
10:30 a.m. Teams of four enjoy a ninehole miniature golf tournament. $100
per team. The event ends with a wrapup party at 5 p.m. at Chubby’z. 626-9439
or 815-1888.
¦ Writers’ Group - The Suncoast
Writers Guild meets from 10:30 a.m.-
noon at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100
W. Dearborn St., Englewood. A short
business meeting is followed by Charles
Sobczak, who discusses his newest
book, “The Living Gulf Coast, A Nature
Guide To Southwest Florida.” www.suncoastwriters.com.

¦ Sensory Journey - Christ the
King Lutheran Church hosts a sensory
learning event about the last days of
Jesus’ life on earth from 1-6 p.m. Meet
witnesses from the Bible; taste, touch,
feel, and be a part of the Passion story.
23456 Olean Blvd. Register at www.Journey2thecross.com or 766-9357.
¦ Easter Event - The Church of the
Good Shepherd hosts its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on the church
grounds. Children up to fifth grade are
welcome. Bring an Easter basket and
a flower for the Easter Flower Cross.
A surprise visit by the Easter Bunny is
planned. 401 W. Henry St. 639-2757.
¦ Dinner Music - Nick Renfro performs from 7-9 p.m. at the Lions Den
Restaurant at the Kings Gate Golf Club.
24000 Rampart Blvd. 625-0680, ext. 5.
¦ Wine & Song - D’Vines hosts an
Italian Favorites Wine Tasting from 7-9
p.m. Music by Pierre & Paul, aka The
Tremors, starts at 8 p.m. 701 JC Center
Ct. 627-WINE (9463).
¦ Live Music - John Reno performs
from 2-5 p.m. at the Nav-A-Gator. 9700
SW Riverview Cir., Lake Suzy. 627-FISH.
¦ Country Classics - Carol & Johnnie perform from 5-9 p.m. center stage
at Fishermen’s Village. 639-8721.
¦ 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, April 8
¦ Easter Meal - The Cultural Center
of Charlotte County serves an Easter
dinner at noon and 2 p.m. Enjoy prime
rib, ham, roasted turkey and all the
trimmings. Advance tickets are $14; $17
at the door. 2280 Aaron St. www.theculturalcenter.com.
¦ Farmers Market - In observance
of Easter, the Punta Gorda Historical
Society’s farmers market at History Park
is closed today, but visitors are invited
to enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty in the
park. The market is open as usual next
Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Monday, April 9
¦ 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.

¦ Open Mic - The Peace River Center
for Writers hosts an Open Mic Night
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. center stage at Fishermen’s Village. Read, sing, listen and
enjoy. 637-3514.
¦ Jazz Tunes - The Charlotte County Jazz Society presents a double concert with Dan McMillion Combo and
the Library Jazz Quintet at 7 p.m. at the
Cultural Center of Charlotte County,
2280 Aaron St. Free for CCJS members,
$15 for non-members. 625-4175, 766-9422
or www.ccjazz.org.
¦ 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.
¦ 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, April 10
¦ Musical Standards - Visani presents “A Night of Standards” with Al Holland at 7:30 p.m. Hit the dance floor to
tunes of Rat Pack-era singers. $10. 2400
Kings Hwy. 629-9191.
¦ Field Trip - The Charlotte Harbor
Environmental Center offers an educational Peace River field trip from 7:45
a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Tour of a phosphate mining facility, visit a citrus grove, stop at
a nature preserve and more. Lunch and
snacks are provided. For reservations:
575-5435 or chris@checflorida.org .
¦ Scrapbook Program - The Christian Women’s Club of Punta Gorda &
Port Charlotte meets at 11:30 a.m. at
Benedetto’s Steakhouse. Darlene St.
Pierre presents the therapeutics of
scrapbooking. $15. Bring nonperishable
item for the food pantry. 639-4089.
¦ 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, April 11
¦ Yoga Concert - Join Wynne Paris
for an evening of devotional chanting,
singing and meditation at 7 p.m. at Yoga
at Periwinkle Place, 2605 Tamiami Trail,
Port Charlotte. $10 to prepay; $15 at the
door. 380-5845.
¦ Wine & Song - D’Vines hosts a
Meet the Distributor South American
Wine Tasting with Premier’s Bob Simeone 6-8 p.m. Enjoy the music of Darrel
B, a member of the local band 4Play. 701
JC Center Ct. 627-WINE (9463).

¦ 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
¦ Benefit Lunch - Charlotte Behavioral Health Care’s second annual luncheon to benefit the Fred Lang Foundation is set for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 12
at the Laishley Crab House. $15, with
proceeds benefiting CBHC programs
and services. 639-8300, ext. 275.
¦ Outdoor Sale - A Sidewalk Garage
Sale is set for 7 a.m.-2 p.m. April 13 at the
Punta Gorda YMCA, 10169 Tamiami Trl.
Reserve your spot and an 8-ft table for
$15 or bring your own for $10. 505-4000.
¦ Barbershop Event - Sunshine
District Barbershop Harmony Society’s
2012 Spring Convention is set for April
13-14 at the Charlotte Harbor Event &
Conference Center, 75 Taylor St. 833-5444.
¦ Final Show - TLP presents its final
show of the season, “Country’s Legendary Outlaws & Angels,” at 7:30 p.m.
April 13-14 at the Cultural Center Theater. Enjoy a multi-artist show that pays
tribute to some of the biggest names in
country music. $17. 206-5323 or www.
TLPshows.com.
¦ Seafood & More - A Nautical Flea
Market and Seafood Festival takes place
April 14-15 at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Rd. Enjoy delicious seafood and two days of live music
by local musicians.
¦ Arts Fest - The Bayshore Arts &
Crafts Festival runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 14 at Bayshore Live Oak Park.
View and purchase items from Florida
artists and crafters, including drawings,
paintings, pottery, jewelry, fabric, wooden works and more. 627-1628, ext. 101, or
www.CharlotteCountyFL.com.
¦ Yoga Benefit - A free Yoga Class
for a Cause starts at 1 p.m. April 14 at
Yoga at Periwinkle Place, 2605 Tamiami
Trl. Donations are welcome to benefit
Special Olympics Florida. www.Yogaat-
PeriwinklePlace.com or 380-5845.
¦ Boat Race - Laishley Park hosts the
second annual Punta Gorda Dragon Boat
Festival at 9 a.m. April 14. Teams of 20 are
welcome. http://bit.ly/pgdragonboat .
¦ School Musical - Charlotte High
School’s award-winning Theatre Department presents “Xanadu” from April 14-22
at the Charlotte Center for the Performing Arts. $15 for adults, $10 for students.
www.thecpac.net or 505-SHOW.
¦ Bridal Show - The annual Bridal
Show & Expo run from noon-5 p.m.
April 15 at Fishermen’s Village. 575-3067.
¦ Big Band Show - The Charlotte County Big Band show starts at 7
p.m. April 16 in the Cultural Center of
Charlotte County Theater, 2280 Aaron
St. The program features music made
famous by Glenn Miller, Count Basie
and more. The two-hour concert is the
conclusion of the 2011-2012 Swingin’ on
Mondays series. 625-4175, ext. 221 or 222,
or www.theculturalcenter.com.
¦ Vocal Impressionist - Johnny
Fusco, a singer/vocal impressionist,
takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 17 at
Visani. $12. Enjoy a Las Vegas legends
tribute show. 2400 Kings Highway. 629-
9191 or www.visani.net.

¦ Comedy Hypnotist - Rich Guzzi
returns to Visani April 18-21. Enjoy an
interactive hypnosis show using volunteers
from the audience. $10-$15. 2400 Kings
Highway. 629-9191 or www.visani.net.
¦ Concert Series - The Steve Fest
concert series wraps up its 2011-12 season April 20 at History Park, 501 Shreve
St., Punta Gorda. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Local group Still Friends opens the fest,
featuring Copper Box. Food by Smoky
Westby’s. Bring your own beverages and
chairs.
¦ Street Fest - Punta Gorda Block
Party entertainment director Mike Dallenbach has signed Three Dog Night
founder and vocalist Chuck Negron as
the lead act for the April 21 street festival
in downtown Punta Gorda. A schedule is
pending. www.puntagordablockparty.info.
¦ Go Gerro – Fashion designer Helen
Gerro hosts an Earth Day trunk show
April 22 at her shop at 207 East Marion
Ave., Punta Gorda, featuring fashions
made from recycled plastics, including
Guinness banners and tarp from Hurricane Charley. Jewels by Zhia. Free.
¦ Go Green – The Yoga Sanctuary
and Salon Blue host Punta Gorda’s fifth
annual Earth Day celebration from 6-8
p.m. April 22 at Gilchrist Park, Punta
Gorda as a benefit for the Charlotte
Harbor Environmental Center. 505-9642
or www.theyogasanctuary.biz.
Ongoing Events
¦ Art Lesson - Beginning and intermediate students are invited to explore
the wonder of watercolors from 10-11:30
a.m. on Tuesdays at Inspiration Studio,
25370 Zemel Rd. $10.
¦ Yoga Class - Yoga by the Pond is
offered from 9-10 a.m. on Thursdays at
Inspiration Studio, 25370 Zemel Rd. All
levels of students can participate in the
restorative yoga offered at this outdoor
venue. $ per class. Bring a mat, towel
and water.
¦ 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 portcharlotteyoga.com.
¦ 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.
¦ 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.
¦ 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.
¦ Tai Chi - Sharon Fultz instructs tai chi
on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon-1
p.m. at the Punta Gorda Woman’s Club, 118
Sullivan St. 276-0674 or 639-1887.
¦ 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.
¦ Tai Chi - A free, informal gathering to
practice tai chi is held every Saturday from
9:30-10:30 a.m. at Gilchrist Park.
¦ Video Games - Get Your Game on
@ Your Library from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays at
Mid-County Regional Library, 2050 Forrest
Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte. Join the video
gaming night for teens ages 10-19. 613-3166.
¦ Open Market - Every Thursday from
9 a.m.-2 p.m., there is an Open Market for
all vendors, businesses, and anyone who
has anything to sell, held in the Fountain
Room of the Cultural Center of Charlotte
County. Tables are $25; 10 percent discount
if you sign up for the month. 625-4175, ext.
253.
¦ 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. ¦