 Mark your calendars for SWFL’s first Fringe Fort Myers! This performing arts festival will be a flocking good time, happening June 1-4. Join us for an upcoming event, art class or gallery exhibition. Spots are filling fast for Musical Theatre Intensive Camp, taking place at Broadway Palm this summer!  Fringe Fort Myers June 1-4 • Fringe Fort Myers, presented by the Alliance for the Arts June 1-4, is the newest Fringe performing arts festival in Southwest Florida and maintains long-standing Fringe traditions of being 100% uncensored, 100% un-juried and 100% inclusive. Even better, 100% of ticket sales go directly to the artists. Fringe Fort Myers kicks off on June 1 with the fun and frenetic Teaser Show, with each performance group having three minutes to sell you on their show. How they do that is up to them! Over the next four days we will play host to 48 performances on three different stages at the Alliance for the Arts and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. After the final curtain, Fringe Fort Myers will host the first Fringe awards ceremony celebrating the artists who make Fringe an incredible experience. Tickets are $15 with the option to buy multiple shows for a discount: 3 shows for $42 or 6 shows for $78. Tickets may be purchased online at artinlee.org/fringe or by calling the box office at (239) 939-2787. Find Out More → Get Tickets →  Fringe Fort Myers: Ministry of Silly Walks Friday, June 2 • “Well sir, I have a silly walk and I’d like to obtain a Government grant to help me develop it”. Unlike the fictional British government minister in the legendary Monty Python skit, we can’t help you get a government grant for it, but you could win tickets to any of the performances during Fringe Fort Myers if you win the Silly Walks contest! Join us on Friday, June 2 @ 6:00 pm as special Emcee and Guest Judge @RachelAndersonTV from AB7’S More Explores announces the contestants and presents the winner. Participation is free, but registration is required. As an added perk: Silly Walk completion will give you 2.5 times higher oxygen uptake and higher amounts of calories burned compared to normal walking. Compete at Fringe and lose weight! Register → View All Fringe Events →  Fringe Fort Myers: New Wave Glow in the Dark Dance Party Saturday, June 3 •Get your dancing shoes on and come dance to your favorite music from bands like the B-52’s. Glow in the dark swag will be included in the admission price. This will be a great night to groove to these iconic bands! The event will be hosted by Sadie from The 96.9 WINK FM Logan and Sadie Morning Show! Purchase Tickets → View All Fringe Events → June’s Featured Gallery Exhibit  Joan Sonnenberg: A Retrospective Exhibition In the Gallery June 16- July 29 • At the age of 5, Joan became interested in the real and imaginary facets of art and life which have formed the basis of her artwork ever since. Interested in geometric patterns achieved through multiple reverse etching processes, Joan superimposes and stacks up to ten images on top of each other until it becomes a complex montage of lines, shapes, and patterns. She strives to alter and combine abstraction with realism; capturing marks made over time through human intervention; the mundane, decaying worn objects, dumpsters, wall graffiti. She also portrays street people, each embedded with stories to tell. She strives to convey the harmonious coexistence of abstraction and realism, transcending and encompassing both doctrines. Opening reception: June 16, 5-7 p.m. • See it first! This free event is open to the public. Come meet your neighbors and enjoy light refreshments! Theatre Gallery Artist: Christian De Jesus is an artist from Fort Myers Florida, who has placed and won in many art shows in the area. His medium of choice is acrylic paint on canvas or cardboard, but he also uses clay and spray paints on occasion. Member Gallery Artist: Our walls will be awash in artwork from our Summer Arts Camp students. Find Out More → View All Events →  CHANGE Acting Class Saturdays, June 10- July 17 • The CHANGE Program (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) engages aspiring adult actors of color in theatre education, provides performance opportunities, and a platform to convene dialogue on social issues that challenge our community through creative, artistic expression. Through this acting course students will explore the fundamentals of acting, character developments, and scene work. The program, taught by Sonya McCarter, is supported in part by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and United Way. Find Out More → View All Classes →  Art-Tini Nights Friday, June 9 • This summer join the Alliance every 2nd Friday of the month as we get your creative juices flowing with craft cocktails. Each class will feature a different art project and three tasty “‘tinis” per participant. In June, we’ll be creating clay Bobble Heads- Bobble Heads are no longer just for the ballpark! Artist/Instructor Victoria Rose Hahn will lead you through the process of creating your own unique doll. This class is perfect for a GNO, a fun date night or a just a great way to wind down after a busy week! Find Out More → View All Classes →  Adult Improv Workshop Saturday, June 10 • Explore the world of Improv with professional actor Jamison Webb! The core of improv is about saying “yes and” to your scene partner to further the scene, but it’s also about saying “yes and” to yourself: trusting your instinct, living in the moment, and, of course, having fun! This workshop is geared to beginners, and it uses simple exercises and basic short form games (like those seen on Whose Line Is It Anyway?) to introduce the art of improvisation. It’s an interactive, hands-on workshop; students will play games, take risks, be bold, and, again, have fun! Find Out More → View All Classes →  Arts & Entertainment Industry Mixer Saturday, June 24 • Join us for the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build stronger connections with other local Arts & Entertainment professionals. Vendors, food and beverages will be available. Dress to impress. The event is free to attend, but registration is strongly suggested. Register on EventBrite. Find Out More → View All Events →  Check Out Our Gift Shop Normal Business Hours • Did you know we have a gift shop FULL of unique, one-of-a-kind items crafted by our Alliance Members? Everything from jewelry, greeting cards, artwork and books! The gift shop is open during business hours, so be sure to swing by and find your next treasure. Check Out Our E-Store → Become a Vendor →  Logo Contest for Digital Art Lab Beginning June 15 • AFTA is seeking a Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab logo that captures the spirit and intention behind this new space. That’s where the public comes in! We are holding a competition for a new logo to be used across a variety of platforms, including, but not limited to, our website, social media sites, merchandise and promotional materials. A prize of $500.00 and an Alliance Traveler Membership, good for one year, will be awarded for the winning entry. We are seeking a creative, professional, stylized logo that embodies the use of this new space and reflects our mission to advance our community through the arts. The logo should be adaptable to different iterations in size and application and reflective of the creative nature of the space. It should also include the official name of the lab, Bloom & Wallace Digital Arts Lab. Please note the Ampersand must be incorporated into the design. The contest is open to submissions from anyone. Contestants can work in groups or individually; only one (1) prize will be awarded, regardless of group size. Find Out More → View All Classes →  Storm Stories: Call for Artists Call To Artists • We believe in the healing power of art. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, we have seen a great need for healing in our community. We are asking artists to create artwork about their experiences during or after the storm in any capacity. It may be stories of resilience or trauma or loss. It can evoke a wide range of emotions. It is meant to be cathartic and therapeutic and shareable, something everyone can relate to in some way. Artists may submit 1 – 3 pieces for consideration for this exhibition. There is no entry fee. Submissions open June 1, 2023. All entries must be submitted online no later than August 7 at 5pm. No materials will be accepted at the Alliance – this exhibit is online entries only. Full details can be found on the Prospectus. Download The Prospectus → Submit Your Story →  Wednesday Night Market Wednesday, June 14 • Join us under the stars, every second Wednesday of the month from 5 pm to 8 pm for our monthly pop-up Market. We feature a selection of fresh produce, art, live music, food trucks and beer and wine. This month’s live music provided by Johnny Dee. Interested in becoming a vendor? Contact Danny at Events@ArtInLee.Org Find Out More → View All Events →  Art Classes for All Ages and Abilities Your creative journey starts with you, so pick your level and don’t stop until you get to your destination. Stay connected and inspired from your living room, kitchen table or studio with our online art classes or connect outdoors or in our classroom. Upcoming classes include: ADULT & TEEN –Adult Improve Workshop (18+) –CHANGES Acting Class (17+) –Fluid Art Series: Pouring with Gadgets –Neurographica: Lessons from the Sea Turtle (13+) –The Art of Birth Chart Reading (18+) –Zentangle for the Seasons (13+) –Landscape Painting from a Photo –Art-Tini Nights: Mini Bobble Head –Beginning Belly Dance (18+) –Intermediate Tribal Belly Dance (18+) –Workshop Series: Getting Your Art into Retail –Beginner Bonsai Workshop –Resin Intensive Workshop –Bring Your Own Bonsai –Painting with Terry Lynn (16+) –Morning, Evening, Intermediate and Painting Studio YOUTH –Tierra & Friends World Movement & Music (0-3) –Tierra & Friends World Movement & Music (4-6) –Painting with Eunique (ages 5-10) –TikTok Tuesdays for Tweens and Teens (10-16) –Free Famly ArtLab-Father’s Day Gift –Manga and Pizza (Ages 12-18) –Free Family ArtLab-Fringe Edition! –Audition Prep-Private Acting Classes Register → View All Classes →  Musical Theatre Camp Musical Theatre Camp at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre for Grades 1 – 12 • The Broadway Palm & Alliance for the Arts teamed up to bring the Musical Theatre Camp back this year! Focusing on high quality training for students of all ages – campers will get a peek into the life and training of professional musical theatre actors right on the Broadway Palm Stage. Geared towards students looking to expand their training in singing, dancing and acting – this year we have weeks designated for various age ranges so everyone gets a chance to join in the fun! Campers will have the unique opportunity to work with professional actors from Broadway Palm’s current production of The Little Mermaid. Each week will culminate in performance on a Broadway Palm stage where every student gets a chance to shine. Spots are limited to 15 campers, so enroll early! You may choose to become a member or renew your membership during the registration process. It will be an optional item chosen at the end of the online registration process. Find Out More → Register →  Free Family ArtLabs- Father’s Day Edition Saturday, June 17 • Make creativity part of your family routine the third Saturday of each month during Family ArtLab! Drop in for free, hands-on family fun from 10 a.m. to noon. Explore something new every month like art making, gallery activities, games and more – all inspired by artworks on view in the gallery, famous artists, national holidays and artistic traditions around the world. This month we’ll be making a special gift for the Father figures in your life! Admission is free, but please register so we can have an accurate count for supplies. Recommended for ages five and older, but all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Find Out More → View All Events →  Youth Theatre Presents Assassins June 8-11 • With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, you’re always guaranteed to see a play that will leave a lasting impression and Assassins is no different. Although, it actually is since this is not your run-of-the mill musical. A carnival sets the stage for this show looking at the lives of nine men and women who either assassinated or attempted to assassinate a United States President. Here are just a few of the Assassins (successful or not) you will get to see up close and personal: John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, and Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme. Be prepared to feel a myriad of emotions as this play is as funny as it is dark and strange. And you will leave remembering these words forever, “Everybody’s got the right to be happy.” Recommended for 11th grade and older. This show contains themes and language that may not be suitable for all audiences. Get Tickets → View All Events → Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org 239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre • Digital Arts Lab  |