Kevin Smith

The Alliance Youth Theatre’s production of “Rent” is a tour de force rock musical that features three locals home from college for the summer. Under the direction of Artistic Director Carmen Crussard, Director Miguel Cintron and Choreographer Kiana Raine Cintron, the entire ensemble cast of high school and college students is, in a word, outstanding.

The show’s message of self-acceptance and empowerment has resonated with audiences around the world. Based on the hit 2013 film, “Frozen” reveals that true love comes in many forms -including self love - and the bond between sisters is truly special.

“Rent’s” legacy is inseparable from the fight against HIV/AIDS. The musical describes a time when an AIDS diagnosis was a death sentence, and the show conveys the climate of fear, depression and despair felt by those infected with the virus.

Photographer Amsel Adams is remembered for panoramic black-and-white images that promoted the enjoyment and conservation of our national parks. A new exhibition at Naples’ Baker Museum of Art celebrates that connection as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

No Kings rally brought out thousands all over Southwest Florida on Oct. 18.

Jessie and James and Ivy and Mae are the newest residents of The Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs. Two female American river otters (Ivy and Mae) and two juvenile American alligators (Jessie and James), were feted at the zoological park for a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Aug. 28.

They came by the thousands in Southwest Florida, by the tens of thousands across the state and by the millions across the U.S. — for a variety of reasons both political and philosophical but bonded by fear and hope.Saturday was both a protest and a rally called No Kings Day, a reference to claims that President Donald Trump wanted to be a monarch over what has been a republic.