Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition

The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is hosting a retrospective exhibition of works by artist Joan Sonnenberg. At the age of 92, Sonnenberg continues creating her large-scale vibrant pieces blending abstraction and realism. We listen back to our earlier conversation with Sonnenberg as the exhibition runs through July 29.

In lieu of our weekly airing of Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition, we listen back to one of the very first episodes of the WGCU podcast Three Song Stories featuring co-owner of Winged Foot Title and former Executive Director of the Alliance for the Arts Lydia Black.

The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers opens a retrospective exhibition of works by artist Joan Sonnenberg. At the age of 92, Sonnenberg continues creating her large-scale vibrant pieces blending abstraction and realism. We speak with Sonnenberg in studio ahead of the exhibition’s June 16th opening reception.

The Laboratory Theater of Florida in Fort Myers is mounting the world premiere production of the parody play, “Save Hamlet.” We learn more about the play and what Lab Theater has in store for the summer and its upcoming 15th anniversary season in a conversation with the director of “Save Hamlet” Madelaine Weymouth and Lab Theater founder and artistic director Annette Trossbach.

The Alliance for the Arts in Lee County is hosting a solo exhibition of works by Florida-based abstract painter Margaret Schnebly Hodge. We listen back to our previous conversation with the artist to explore paintings in the exhibit, her inspirations and insights into her creative process.

A conversation with playwright Monteze Freeman ahead of a staged reading of his play “Dancing in the Blue Light” May 26 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota.

The inaugural Fringe Fort Myers runs June 1-4 at the Alliance for the Arts and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. We’ll get a preview of the variety array of performance artists from all over the world who will be featured in a conversation with festival organizer Bill Taylor.

The Fort Myers Film Festival returns for it’s 13th year May 17-21 and will include screenings of 79 international and independent films in five categories as well as a red-carpet gala, Q&As with filmmakers, a cosplay competition and a closing-night award ceremony. We’ll get a preview with film festival founder Eric Raddatz. We’ll also hear from director Sasha Levinson whose short film “Yachts on the Rocks” will have its world premiere at the festival, and Steve Hilficker who produced the short film “Warriors: The Bernie Mac Disease,” which will be featured.

The Alliance for the Arts in Lee County is hosting a solo exhibition of works by Florida-based abstract painter Margaret Schnebly Hodge. Ahead of an opening reception, Friday May 5, we sit down with the artist to explore paintings in the exhibit, her inspirations and insights into her creative process.

Players Circle Theater in North Fort Myers closes the season with a production of the comedy, “The Foreigner.” We’ll talk with the lead actor in the show Dennis Delamar. After the show ends, Players Circle Theater will begin moving into the New Phoenix Theatre space along McGregor Blvd. We talk with Players Circle Theater co-founders Robert Cacioppo and Carrie Lund Cacioppo about an exciting change of venue for the theater company and what it will mean for theater-goers.