America 250

Gulf Coast Symphony is celebrating America250 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall with a fully staged production of “1776” on April 18 and 19.

The Marco Island Historical Society is commemorating America250 with a large-format photography exhibition by Clyde Butcher. An opening reception takes place April 9th in tandem with a performance by the Marco Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marco Island Historical Society Reenactors of an original play titled “Founding Mothers.”

Composer George Gershwin is best known for “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris.” But he also partnered with his brother, Ira, to write the greatest of all American operas, “Porgy & Bess.” Gulfshore Opera is bringing a condensed version of the witty, gritty story of unshakable love to the stage to celebrate America250.

Opera Naples is observing America250 with two patriotically themed concerts, 'Scalia/Ginsburg' and 'Stars and Standards, An American Songbook Celebration.'

This week marks 161 years since Union and Confederate troops met in The Battle of Fort Myers.It was one of the 10,000 places where the Civil War was fought, to paraphrase the opening narration in Ken Burns' epic PBS-TV series: The Civil War.

The Wasmer Art Gallery at FGCU is hosting an exhibition of works by multidisciplinary artist Onajide Shabaka titled “Becoming Tomorrow’s Dream.” Shabaka’s work is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and ecological narratives often exploring themes related to the African diaspora, collective memory, history, anthropology, and ethnobotany. We will talk with Shabaka about the exhibit and his broader artistic practice.

The Wasmer Art Gallery at FGCU is hosting an exhibition of works by multidisciplinary artist Onajide Shabaka titled “Becoming Tomorrow’s Dream.” Shabaka’s work is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and ecological narratives often exploring themes related to the African diaspora, collective memory, history, anthropology, and ethnobotany. We will talk with Shabaka about the exhibit and his broader artistic practice ahead of his artist talk, Jan. 22, at the exhibit’s opening reception.