April Showers bring lots of Events on Sanibel

One of many nice things about "Spring" season on Sanibel is that , while traffic and congestion slows down, fun-filled activity does not.

There are many enticements, in addition to our natural wonders,  available all year long, that visitors can do on Island during April and May.

And some of them are quite unique.  Here is just a small sampling of what lies shortly ahead:

Tomorrow , those who have a bike can see the island in a unique perspective. Bike enthusiasts can bring their bicycles and join a naturalist on the Wildlife Drive/Indigo Trail loop to learn about the refuge’s bird life and ecology. The Drive is paved while the Indigo Trail is hard-packed shell, so the tour is suitable for people of all abilities. Fun for all ages! Meet at the flagpole in front of the Education Center at 10 a.m. 4 miles, 1½ hours, unlimited learning and fun, all for free!

There is also an engaging show tomorrow at Big Arts.  Though as kids we are criticized for making faces, Making Faces is actually the focus of this interesting day.  Dennis Joyce , a professional artist, retired University professor, former Sanibel resident, and people watcher will be demonstrating his art with a showing from noon to one on April 9. His ceramic figures express his witty observations of modern life. With this exhibit, he shares his entertaining yet serious world view. We might see ourselves in these often amusing, sometimes harrowing characters.  Lots of smiles at no charge.

Want something special to do at night?  The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club is sponsoring the fundraiser Unsinkable Women: Stories and Songs from the Titanic at Schein Hall on April 9 at 7:30 pm. The play was written by and is performed by award winning New York actress, Deborah Jean Templin. It has been performed in over 100 venues to outstanding reviews. Deborah Jean Templin portrays nine women survivors of the Titanic disaster and what they did in their subsequent lives. It is based on in-depth historical research and the women are portrayed in period costumes and characteristic accents to the accompaniment of songs from the era. The event will benefit Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships, The Sanibel Historical Museum and BIG ARTS.  There is a $55.00 admission fee for this special event.

There is a stunning exhibit at Big Arts, again gratis, called "Inflorescence" beginning on April 12 at noon with work by Lyle Bowen and Cory Hunter. The term "inflorescence" refers to a period of blooming for plants. Both of these artists approach the idea of growth and flowering in very different ways. L Bowen sometimes uses puzzle pieces to create the “dappled” effect of light on the petals or leaves; there is a sense of the fecundity of nature in his large canvases.  Hunter uses an innovative technique of applying high-voltage electricity to “bloom” on painted substrates, allowing natural pathways to appear; these patterns are then painted over into abstract designs or natural. Come see the stunning artwork created from these innovative techniques!

 

And if you want to delight your ears as well as your eyes, put this one on your things to do: Island Jazz begins its tenth season of free Sunday afternoon concerts in the Boler Garden of Big Arts. Even if it rains, the show goes on; it simply moves into the covered Gainer Verandah. Island Jazz features Harry Reiner on trumpet, Tom Cooley on drums, Gene Federico on vocals and guitar, Louis Pradt on clarinet, John Schiedo and Babe VanDeVelde on saxophone, Bill Johns on bass, and Charlie Winkler on keyboard. Special guest vocalist is Sally-Jane Heit. Frequent guest players include many of the best jazz musicians in southwest Florida playing all styles of music from jazz standards and Dixieland to bop, pop, and more.

 The above represents just a few selections but the options go on and on!