Country stars Chris Young, Little River Band and Shenandoah. The heart-swelling love ballads of '80s hitmakersAir Supply. The return of the Bonita Blues Festival.
Those are just someof the biggest concerts coming to Southwest Florida this March. And there are a lot more shows happening, too.
Here are our picks for the top concerts to see in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and the rest of Southwest Florida.
The CDC advises people to get vaccinated and to wear masks indoors in places where the risk of COVID-19 is high. To track COVID cases by county, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html.
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The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass
This brass band is led by Rodney Marsalis, cousin to jazz greatWynton Marsalis(who taught him to play the trumpet). The group plays everything from Handel to Sousa to traditional New Orleans tunes. Part of the Community Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3. $25-$55. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Elvis show
Touring tribute artist Chris MacDonald brings Elvis Presley to life. MacDonald has performed at Graceland’s Heartbreak Hotel. He’ll be joined by Johnny T’s tribute to teen idols. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3. $60. Hilton Naples ballroom, 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. johnnyt-live.com
Little River Band
Australian country-pop act whose 70s hits include “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser” and “Reminiscing."8 p.m. Friday, March 4. $50-$100. Limited tickets available. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Sister Lucille Band
This Southwest Missouri band plays a blend of Memphis-inspired blues, roots and soul it calls “Memphunk.” 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 4. $5. The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro, 2214 Bay St., Fort Myers. 333-2225 or barrelroomfortmyers.com
Dick Fox’s Golden Boys
Former teen idols Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell were discovered by producer Dick Fox. They’ll perform their own hits and also songs by Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Rick Nelson and Bill Hailey. 8 p.m. Friday, March 4. $129. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Legends Concert Series
Three tribute acts perform at the monthly outdoor concert: ThunderJack (AC/DC), Absolute Queen and Absolute Def Leppard. Legends raises money for The Fallen Officers, a foundation that provides scholarships, financial assistance and more to the families and departments of police officers killed in the line of duty. 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. $22-$100. There will also be food trucks. Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. legendsconcertseries.com
Naples Concert Band’s 50th anniversary show
The concert band celebrates its big milestone with two world-premiere performances of “The Dolphins of Paradise Coast” in Naples. The new work was composed by celebrated film composer Rossano Galante and commissioned by the more than 90-member concert band. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Artis—Naples ($15-$25) and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Cambier Park bandshell (free, although donations are accepted). NaplesConcertBand.org
Tim Farrell
The acclaimed acoustic guitarist is known for his elegant fingerstyle playing. Silvia Medina opens. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5. $12-$18. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org
Three Dog Night
Rockers Three Dog Nightracked up 21 hit singles in the 1960s and '70s, including “One,” “Joy to the World” and “Mama Told Me (Not to Come).” 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5. $99. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Theory of a Deadman
The Canadian rock band’s hits include the No. 1 mainstream-rock singles "Bad Girlfriend", "Lowlife", "Rx (Medicate)" and "History of Violence.” 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5. $27. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Ana Popovic
The Yugoslavian blues-rock singer-songwriter is known for her passionate singing and guitar playing. The Buckingham Blues Band opens. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5 (gates open at 5:30 p.m.). $40-$45. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com
Rock for Autism
This fundraising concert features food trucks and live music from country-music duo Chasing Denver and 70s cover band The Rosada Project. It benefits the nonprofit Family Initiative and its services for families and children affected by autism spectrum disorder. 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 5. $50 admission includes beer and a tour of the airplane hangar. Ages 21 and older. Paragon Flight Training’s airline hangar at Page Field, 511 Danley Drive, Fort Myers. FI-Florida.org/Event/RockAutism
Sanibel Music Festival
The 35th annual classical series opens Saturday, March 5, with pianist Jon Nakamatsu, a gold medalist in the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The series continues throughMarch with six more concerts, including the Juilliard String Quartet (March 15), the Opera Theater of Connecticut singing the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber (March 22) and the Emerson String Quartet (March 26). $25-$50 per show. Ticket packages available. Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. sanibelmusicfestival.org
The Toasters
New Yorkers The Toasters were major players in the so-called third wave of ska music in the '80s and '90s, a time when ska went mainstream with huge acts such as The Aquabats, Reel Big Fish,Sublime, Less Than Jake, No Doubt and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The afternoon show also includes The Patina Turners, Chronic Combustion and Bargain Bin Heroes. 3- 6 p.m. Sunday, March 6. $13. There will also be a pig roast and a food truck. HOWL, 4160 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers. 332-0161 or facebook.com/HOWLFTMYERS
Punta Gorda Symphony
The professional orchestra performs a concert called a “Perfect Balance Of Modern & Classics,” including Paul McCartney's “Spiral” & Stravinsky's “The Firebird.” 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. $65 ($15 for youth and students). Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda. 941-205-5996 or PGSymphony.org
Sponge
Detroit rockers Sponge are known for 90s hits such as “Plowed” and “Molly (16 Candles)."8-11 p.m. Thursday, March 10. $10. Buddha LIVE, 12701 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 246-1246 orthebuddhalive.com
“From Bach to the Beatles”
A Southwest Florida Symphony string quartet performs an outdoor concert of classical and rock music, including Bach, Mozart, Coldplay and The Beatles. The songs are played in chronological order from the 18th century to the 21st century. 6 p.m. Thursday, March 10. Free. Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, Naples. swflso.org
Gulfshore Opera's “Songs of Ireland”
Gulfshore Opera performs a concert featuring Irish music at Gulf Theater in Punta Gorda (7 p.m. Thursday, March 10. $30-$40), the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island (7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12. $25) and St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Bonita Springs (7 p.m. Thursday, March 17. $45-$45). Learn more at gulfshoreopera.org.
Bonita Blues Festival
The outdoor blues fest returns after skipping the last two years due to the pandemic. The lineup includes Shaun Murphy, The Nighthawks, Damon Fowler and Mike Zito’s Big Band. 1-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 11-12. $40-$45 per day, or $60 for a weekend pass. The 15th annual event also features food, beer, wine, crafts and after-hours events at The Center Bar and Maria’s Restaurant. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. bonitablues.com
Marc Kudisch
The three-time Tony Award nominee is best known for his Broadway musical roles in “Thoroughly ModernMillie,” “Chitty Chitty BangBang” and “9 to 5,” as well as TV appearances in “All My Children,” “Sex in the City” and “Break In.” 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11. $45. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gulfcoastsymphony
The Swingin' Clique
A musical collective that performs traditional jazz, showtunes and songs from The Great America Songbook. 8 p.m. Friday, March 11. $25-$35. Players Circle Theater at The Shell Factory, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
“Curtis On Tour” concert
Grammy Award-winning violist Roberto Diaz and pianist Kwan Yi bring their touring chamber concert to Fort Myers, including musical selections from De Falla, Bloch and Brahms. Diaz is president and CEO of Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11. $45-50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers.333-1933 or sbdac.com
David Morin
The Elvis Presley tribute artist returns to once again sing and impersonate The King. Friday through Sunday, March 11-13. $25. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Del McCoury
It’s take two for theSouthland Bluegrass and Wilderness Festival, a free music festival originally scheduled for March 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic. Now the outdoor fest has returned with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Del McCoury Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Balsam Range, The Barefoot Movement and more than 10 other musical acts. Musician, storyteller and radio personality Abby The Spoon Lady emcees and performs. The event also features a large merchant section, an RV show, an outdoor expo and a variety of food trucks. Starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 12-13. Gates open at 10 a.m. Free. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Shenandoah
The Alabama-born country band returns to Southwest Florida. Shenandoah is known for hits such as “Mama Knows,” “Sunday in the South,” “Two Dozen Roses,” “Next To You, Next to Me” and “The Church on Cumberland Road.”9 p.m. Saturday, March 12.$30 and $69. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Rotary Rock Blues & Blues
Five local bands perform at this ninth annual fundraiser organized by The Lehigh Acres Rotary Club and Lehigh Acres Foundation. The lineup: Shore Nuff (rock), Checker'd Past (blues), Hitt N Run (rock), Deep Freyed (blues and classic rock) and Southern Sophisticats (blues and roots music). Food and drinks will be sold, including chili, burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, Mexican food, beer, wine and soda. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Free. Chairs and blankets are encouraged (no coolers). Veteran’s Park, 55 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres. 455-5894
Steel Panther
The hair-metal parody act returns to Southwest Florida for its “Res-Erections Tour.” Plus opening act Any Given Sin. 8 p.m. Sunday, March 13. $30.Dixie Roadhouse, 1023 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. 541-7900 or facebook.com/dixieroadhouse
Zlatomir Fung and Rohan De Silva
Acclaimed cellist Zlatomir Fung and pianist Rohan De Silva perform a chamber-music concert. The classical program includes Weir, Bloch, Janáček, and Beethoven. 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 14. $45-$50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Chris Young
Country star Chris Young had the No. 1 song on country-music radio last year with “Famous Friends,” his duet with Kane Brown. Young’s other No. 1 country hits include “Losing Sleep,” “Hangin’ On,” “Raised on Country” and “Drownin’." Mitchell Tenpenny opens. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17. $36-$79. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
Gene Ferrari
The romantic, Vegas-style singer performs a fundraising concert for the nonprofit Family & Friends for Freedom Fund. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18. $30. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. For tickets, call 973-897-2237.
The Michael Buble Experience
Local singer Paul Todd Jr. and his band perform a solo show featuring Michael Buble’s biggest hits, plus a little Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and more. 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20. $25. Fort Myers Theatre, 16120 San Carlos Blvd., No. 5, south Fort Myers. bit.ly/3sgh6ht
Phil Vassar
Southwest Florida Event Center holds its first concert since reopening after shutting its doors in 2020. This “soft reopening”— the official reopening happens March 25 with a sold-out, all-star Beatles tribute – features a center regular, country singer/pianist Phil Vassar. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19. $30-$70. Southwest Florida Event Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. 245-9910 or facebook.com/swflec
Locash
The country duo bring their “Woods & Water Tour” to Fort Myers. Locash’s hits include “I Love This Life,” “One Big Country Song,” “Ring on Every Finger,” “Keep in Mind” and “Feels Like a Party.” 9 p.m. Saturday, March 19. $34 and $71. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 ortheranchfortmyers.com
Damon Fowler
The popular Florida bluesman plays an outdoor show with opening actsBig Al & The Heavyweights and Tommy Lee Cook & The Buckingham Blues Band. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19. $15. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com
The Nouveaux Honkies
This Florida duo plays what they call “roots and roll that rocks.” Their music combines roots music with blues, Americana, swing and more. Robert Bidney opens. An outdoor concert organized by the Americana Community Music Association. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 20. $16. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
Wayne Newton
Las Vegas legend Wayne Newton sings “Danke Schoen” and other hits. He’ll also answer questions from the audience in this new show called “Up Close and Personal." 8 p.m. Monday, March 21. $125. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Bad Boys of Opera
This touring show features three acclaimed male vocalists: Baritone Gustavo Feulien and tenors Cody Austin and Eric Margiore. This is the final concert in the 2022 Community Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22. $25-$55. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
“Hard Travelin’ with Woody”
A musical, multimedia play featuring the words, music and art of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie, written and performed by Randy Noojin. March 23-April 3. $40-$50. Players Circle Theater at The Shell Factory, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
Intermezzo Memory Choir
This chorus consists ofpeople living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss, along with their care partners and volunteers. They'll perform a food-themed concert, including“American Pie,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “The Water is Wide” and “Day-O.” 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. A reception follows. Free. St. Hilary Episcopal Church, 5011 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.288-2535 ormastersingersfm.com/intermezzo-choir
“Stars of the Sixties”
A touring group show featuring 60s musical acts Jay and The Americans, Gary Lewis & The Playboys and more. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. $47-$86.Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Sierra Hull
The bluegrass singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall (twice). 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26. $45-$50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers.333-1933 or sbdac.com
Grupo Siggno
The popular Tejano band from Santa Rosa, Texas, performs with norteño band Grupo Solido. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 26. $58. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Sounds of Jazz & Blues
The annual concert returns with three blues and jazz acts: Mike Imbasciani, Deb & The Dynamics and headlining jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright. 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, March 26. $25-$30. Tarpon Point Marina, 6179 Black Marlin Lane, Cape Coral. capeconcerts.com
La India and Melina León
Merengue singer/actor Melina León and pop/salsa singer La India play an outdoor show organized by radio station La Nueva Playa 99.3 FM. This concert was postponed from January. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26. $49 ($79 for VIP). Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Air Supply
Paradise Coast Sports Complexhosts its first major musical act: '80s hitmakersAir Supply. The soft rockers’ 11 Top 40 hits include romantic ballads “All Out of Love,” “Even the Nights Are Better,” “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” and the No. 1 “The One That You Love.” Henry Gross opens. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26. $49-$179. Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. 252-4386 or playparadisecoast.com
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Grammy Award-winning country stars are best known for the Top 10 hit “Elvira.” The Oak Ridge Boyscelebrate that song’s 40th anniversary on their U.S. tour. 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 28. $45-$79. Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. charlotteplayers.org
Veronica Swift
The rising New York jazz singer has been compared to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. She sings everything from swing to bebop to slow ballads. 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. $62. BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel Island. 395-0900 or bigarts.org
Connect with this reporter:Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
