Gary Levox of Rascal Flatts. FORT MYERS’ ISLANDS, BEACHES AND NEIGHBORHOODS / COURTESY PHOTO
Since the debut of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest in 2014, the annual festival has grown ever bigger and more celebrated. The eighth festival starts this week and runs Sept. 16 through 25. It promises singular singing experiences throughout 10 tune-filled days:
¦ Three different venue destinations throughout Lee County: Captiva Island (Sept. 16-18), downtown Fort Myers (Sept. 19-22), and Fort Myers Beach (Sept. 23-25)
¦ 100+ live and lively performances, most of them admission-free
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau recommends you don’t miss one single event, but — for those who can’t make them all — suggests these six sweet notes. Some of the ticketed events are already sold out, so don’t wait to reserve your spot. For more information, visit island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com or download the free, newly updated version of the Island Hopper mobile app – not only for the latest information at your fingertips, but also enter for a chance to win tickets to the headliner concert and a two-night stay at its venue, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Resort on Fort Myers Beach, plus a $200 gift card.
This year’s big act brings Gary LeVox to the Pink Shell poolside stage for a ticketed concert featuring the cofounder of Rascal Flatts. With 17 No. 1 singles and sales topping 23 million albums, the band has gathered the most awards of any country group in the last decade. Since embarking on a solo career, LeVox has released the single “The Distance,” one of five songs on his debut collection. Show time is 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.); tickets are $49 and available from the website or app.
A favorite star of Island Hopper past, two-time Grammy-winning vocalist and songwriter Kristian Bush appears on Captiva Island Friday, Sept. 16, at South Seas Island Resort; and Saturday, Sept. 17, at Key Lime Bistro and Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. Country musician Bush forms half of the multi-platinum duo Sugarland, whose hits such as “Stuck Like Glue” and “Stay” regularly strike No. 1 on the charts. His body of work also includes a rock jam band, TV and musical theater.
Once again, the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center downtown Fort Myers hosts some of the area’s best singer-songwriters in a one-stop showcase, including Roy Schneider, Kim Mayfield, Ray Cerbone, Robert Bidney and Bill Metts. Each artist will share original music and the stories behind their songs. The event begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, and performances follow at 7:30. Tickets are $10 each and seating is on a first-come basis.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa hosts the free First-Ever Pride Live Performance poolside starting at 2 p.m. On deck: Brooke Eden, Shane Stevens, Tyler James Bellinger and Sheena Brooke.
Songs + Dinner + Wine = packaged delight
The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro in downtown Fort Myers takes songwriting entertainment a couple of notes tastier. On Monday, Sept. 19, it pairs music with a three-course dinner and wine starting at 6 p.m. Musicians Frank Myers and Lance Carpenter will perform on stage. Tickets are $75 inclusive of tax and gratuity.
Aaron Barker has written songs for George Strait, Clay Walker and Willie Nelson; and Dave Pahanish’s hits have been made famous by Jimmy Wayne, Toby Keith and Keith Urban. Both perform free: Barker on Sept. 16 at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Captiva Island and on Sept. 20 at Twisted Vine in Fort Myers; and Pahanish at five performances at different Fort Myers Beach venues.
Check out episode 70 of The Sanibel Captiva Guide Podcast for a guide to Island Hopper at thesancapguide.com/ category/podcast. Also, keep an eye on the Island Hopper app for updates throughout the 10 days of live music. For more information about Fort Myers’ Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods, check out VisitFortMyers.com. ¦
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