Things to do in Fort Myers, Naples area: Punta Gorda Woodstock, Josh Ward, Love That Dress, etc.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

• Punta Gorda Woodstock: Celebrate Woodstock’s 50th anniversary with three days of peace, love and music from touring and local bands. This is an indoor concert that organizers describe as an “air-conditioned Yasgur's Farm.” The lineup includes “rockadelic 60's music anthology band” Paisley Craze, Grateful Dead tribute Spiral Light, Michael Hibiscus Band, Ben Prestage, Champ Jaxon, The Boogiemen Experience and about 10 more bands. 4-10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. $25 per day or $40-$51 for a weekend pass. Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. (941) 833-5444 or charlotteharborecc.com

Punta Gorda Woodstock:Three days of peace, love and air-conditioning

• “Spring Awakening”: The young actors of Florida Rep’s Conservatory program perform the Tony Award-winning, coming-of-age rock musical with songs by Duncan Sheik. The show contains adult language and mature content. Aug. 9-17. $25-$25 for adults, $10 for students. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
• “Harvey”: Theatre Conspiracy opens its 26th season with this classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy about a man and his imaginary, 6 ½-foot-tall rabbit. Aug. 15-25. $26. Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or at ArtInLee.org/Theatre
• “Seven By Simonelli”: The theater presents seven short comedies from playwright Joe Simonelli, including    “Jersey Bad Boys” (an homage to 1930's gangster flicks), “The Other Women” (about two women comparing notes on the philanderer they’re involved with) and “Class Act” (set in a sleazy New Jersey acting academy). Aug. 16-18. $22. Cultural Park Theater, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com
• Music Walk: Downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of every month. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

• Josh Ward: Rising country star from Texas with several million views on YouTube for songs such as “Sent Me You” and “Together.” Plus opening act Cody Weaver. 9 p.m. $12-$15. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
• FMFI benefit concert and food drive: Musicians from the Florida Music Food Initiative perform to help feed Lee County’s hungry. 7 p.m. Free admission with a donation of non-perishable food items. The concert benefits Harry Chapin Food Bank. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org
• “Give My Regards to Broadway”: Gulf Coast Symphony performs Broadway favorites with nationally known Florida performers Mark Sanders (Perchik in the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof”) and Carolann Sanita (Maria in the Asian and European tours of “West Side Story”). 7 p.m. $29-$59. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com 
• Songwriters 4 Vets: This second-annual event features popular local country musician Ben Allen and seven Nashville songwriters: James Otto, Wyatt Durette, Patrick Davis, Channing Wilson, Django Walker, Levi Lowery and Tyler Reeve. They’ll perform and tell the stories behind their songs, including “Chicken Fried,” “Colder Weather,” “Texas On My Mind” and “Something Bout a Boat.” It's a fundraiser for The Kevin Popke Foundation. 8-11 p.m. (VIP meet and greet from 6-8 p.m.). $100 (VIP is $300 extra). Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Estero. songwriters4vets.com
• Electric Lipstick Masquerade Party: The classic-rock cover band performs at this fourth-annual party celebrating the birthdays of singer Colleen Leavy and drummer Dustin Melton. Includes giveaways, cupcakes, a photo booth and an after party. Everyone is encouraged to dress up for the masquerade theme. 7-9:30 p.m. Free with a $10 minimum food or drink purchase per person. Cape Cabaret, 4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral. 549-3000 or capecabaret.com
• Pocket Change: The long-running Fort Lauderdale band that plays high-energy Motown, Philly soul, reggae and rock classics — often to the accompaniment of tight harmonies and choreographed dance steps. Part of the 34th annual SummerJazz on the Gulf outdoor concert series overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Parking is available just north of the hotel at Lowdermilk Park with free trolley service to the resort and back. Blankets and lawn chairs are OK, but no outside food or drinks. The Watkins Lawn at Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. 261-2222 or NaplesBeachHotel.com

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

• Green Knuckle Material: New Jersey indie-rap rockers with an elaborate sci-fi backstory involving a futuristic hero who was sent back in time after battling his arch enemy. The hero’s essence was split into five separate entities that became Green Knuckle Material. 8-11 p.m. Free. Rack’em Spirits & Times, 1011 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/RackemspiritsandTimes
• Fifty Shades of Magic: The sexy dancers of this all-male revue perform to raise money for disabled veterans. Audience members are asked to donate pillows, blankets and/or air mattresses. 6:30 p.m. $25-$35. Capt’n Fishbones Seafood Grill at The Shell Factory, 16554 N Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. Call 702-741-4896 or 239-603-2941, or visit 50shadestickets.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21

• Love That Dress: The 11th-annual fundraiser is billed as “the ultimate feel-good girls-night-out shopping spree of the year.” The popular event lets you buy high fashion at reasonable costs, including donated, “gently used” dresses, shoes, handbags and accessories. Plus a silent auction, food, cocktails and more. Benefits PACE Center for Girls. 6-9 p.m. $30-$40 ($150 for VIP). Embassy Suites, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero. lovethatdressleecounty.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

• “Once”: The Broadway musical racked up a whopping eight Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical. The romantic story follows the blossoming relationship between a Dublin street musician and a Czech pianist as they start writing songs together. All the actors play their own instruments onstage as they sing soulful, folk-rock love songs such as “Falling Slowly” and “Say It to Me Now.” The musical is based on the critically acclaimed movie. Aug. 22-Sept. 28. $48-$63. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
• Big Sky Comedy All Stars: Nationally known comedian Nick Guerra headlines this comedy show, the first of several leading up to the planned Sunkiss Comedy Festival next year in Southwest Florida. The festival is a spin-off of  Montana's annual Big Sky Comedy Festival. The lineup also includes Lukas Seely and Lisa Corrao. 7 p.m. $20. Big Blue Brewing, 4721 S.E. 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral. 471-2777 or sunkisscomedy.com
• Jaycee Acoustic Jam: Musicians of all ages, instruments and skill levels are welcomed to this weekly event. It’s not an open-mic event, though. It’s a community of local acoustic musicians who just love playing music together in the park. 6-8 p.m. every Thursday. Free. Jaycee Park, 4125 S.E. 20th Place, Cape Coral. For more info, search for “Jaycee Acoustic Jam” on Facebook
• RickoLus: The Jacksonville Beach singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs. Plus opening act Kyle Anne. 8 p.m. Free admission with a suggested $5 donation. Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral.  549-7542 or facebook.com/NiceGuysPizza

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

• Summer Singer-Songwriter Competition: This third-annual event closes out the center’s Sounds of Summer concert series. Local and national musical acts perform their original songs and compete for prizes and the chance to play the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Performers are chosen from videos submitted to the contest. The deadline for submitting videos is Aug. 12. 8 p.m. $5 admission. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers.  333-1933 or sbdac.com
• Mike Imbasciani and his BluezRockers: The young Southwest Florida bluesman has been singing and playing guitar professionally since age 5. 7:30 p.m. Free. Bert’s Bar & Grill, 4271 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 282-3232 or bertsbar.com
• Propaganjah: Ocala band that plays energetic, melodic, “one drop”-style reggae with strong Caribbean and R&B roots and a positive point of view. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Free. Big Blue Brewing, 4721 S.E. 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral. 471-2777 or bigbluebrewing.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24

• The Artimus Pyle Band: The former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer pays tribute to his old Southern rock band, including big hits like “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Plus opening act Letters from Jett. 7 p.m. $32-$75. Southwest Florida Event Center, 11515 Bonita Beach Road S.E., Bonita Springs. 245-9910 or swfleventcenter.com
• The Blue Gators: The chilled-out, blues-fusion band plays their own blues, rock and Americana songs. 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Free. Rack’em Spirits & Times, 1011 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/RackemspiritsandTimes
• Gather’s Battle of the DJs: Two Southwest Florida deejays — DJ Malike and DJ Flex — spin music and battle it out to see who wins bragging rights. 8 p.m. Free. Gather restaurant at Tarpon Point Marina, 5971 Silver King Blvd., Suite 116, Cape Coral. 673-9939 or facebook.com/gathercape
• Drag Queen & King Bingo: Twice-monthly event hosted by men and women in drag. 7-10 p.m. $10 includes a book of six games with three cards per game. Takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Rockade, 1015 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. 541-7900 or facebook.com/caperockade

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

• Rescue Cats Rock quarter auction: Bring lots of quarters to bid on items and raise money for local cat-rescue nonprofit group Rescue Cats Rock. 4 p.m. Paddles are “rented” for $3 each or two for $5. Food and drinks can be purchased. Cactus Jacks Waterfront Bar & Grill, 3448 Marinatown Lane, North Fort Myers. 440-4073 or facebook.com/RescueCatsRock
•  “D.M.V.”: Last chance to see this world premiere from local playwright Zalman Velvel. On her last day before retirement, a DMV employee gets locked in a battle with the mayor, the tax collector and an egotistical politician. Aug. 9-25. $28. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
• International Blues Challenge Regional Competition: The Blues Challenge returns to Southwest Florida with local blues acts competing for a chance to move on to the main event next year in Memphis: The International Blues Challenge, where several hundred blues bands from around the world compete for prizes and potential blues stardom. Noon to 6 p.m. $12. The Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 11, south Fort Myers. 466-8326 or therhythmhousefortmyers.com
• “A Toast to Tenacity”: This free event celebrates the 99th anniversary of women’s suffrage with a spoken-word segment featuring local citizens portraying key figures in the suffrage movement, a voting quiz with prizes and a grape-juice toast like the one suffragists did when women won the right to vote during Prohibition. Plus a short performance from “The Agitators,” Theatre Conspiracy’s play about the lifelong friendship between suffragist Susan B. Anthony and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. A wine and cheese reception will follow. 5-7 p.m. Free. Open to ages 12 and older. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org/event/tenacity

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)