Friends and neighbors,
This week feels especially creative.
You can learn to arrange flowers at Books on Third, watch artists and musicians take over Fifth Avenue South during Evening on Fifth, or channel your inner Jackson Pollock at Sugarshack's paint-and-sip. If you'd rather leave the creativity to someone else, Nathan Chester—one of the standout voices from The Voice—brings a Motown revival to Artis—Naples, and Wonder Gardens is teaming up with Ankrolab Brewing for an evening of animal encounters, live music and beer benefiting local wildlife.
I hope you find something worth leaving the house for!
Warmly,
Table of Contents
Top 7 Events This Week: Flowers, Motown & Evenings Outdoors
1. Wonder on Tap
📅 Friday, Aug. 7 | 5:30–8:30 PM
📍 Ankrolab Brewing Company, 3555 Bayshore Dr., Naples
Wonder Gardens is taking over Ankrolab Brewing for an evening benefiting the nonprofit's resident animals and historic botanical collection. Expect live music from Nostaljah, animal encounters, prize drawings, family activities, a cornhole tournament, and special beers, cocktails and food truck items that all support the fundraiser. Event info.
2. Flower Arranging Workshop
📅 Friday, Aug. 7 | 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Books on Third, 1300 Third St. S., Naples
Create your own modern floral arrangement during this hands-on workshop led by Flora & Fauna. Guests will learn how to build a garden-style centerpiece using vibrant seasonal flowers before taking their finished arrangement home. Tickets are required. Event info.
3. Justin Silva at Off the Hook Comedy Club
📅 Friday, Aug. 7–Sunday, Aug. 9
📍 Off the Hook Comedy Club, Naples
Connecticut-born comedian Justin Silva has built a large following through his stand-up clips and social media before taking his act on tour. He'll perform multiple shows throughout the weekend at Off the Hook Comedy Club. Tickets start at $25. Event info.
4. Nathan Chester & The Old Souls Motown Revival
📅 Wednesday, Aug. 12 | 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples
If you watched Season 25 of The Voice, you may remember Nathan Chester's powerhouse vocals. He brings his Motown revival to Daniels Pavilion with classics inspired by Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Otis Redding, backed by a live band. Event info.
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Start with a paddleboard on the Gordon River. Cool off beneath the heated pool’s waterfall. Grill dinner outside, pick a mango from the yard, then stay around the fire pit long after everyone planned to head downtown.
And if you do want to go out, 5th Avenue South, the beach, restaurants, shopping, tennis, pickleball, and fishing are all close by.
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The hardest part may be deciding whether Naples itself is worth leaving the backyard for.
5. Sip & Pour: Jackson Pollock Paint & Sip
📅 Thursday, Aug. 13 | 3:00–6:00 PM
📍 Sugarshack Downtown, Bonita Springs
Instead of following step-by-step instructions, this paint-and-sip encourages you to embrace Jackson Pollock's famous drip-and-pour technique. An instructor will guide guests through creating an abstract canvas while food and drinks are available for purchase from Sugarshack. No experience is necessary. Event info.
6. Evening on Fifth
📅 Thursday, Aug. 13 | 6:30–9:30 PM
📍 Fifth Avenue South, Naples
One of my favorite recurring summer events, Evening on Fifth fills the sidewalks with live musicians while shops stay open late and restaurants spill onto the avenue. It's free to wander, easy to pair with dinner, and one of the nicest excuses to stroll downtown after sunset. Event info.
7. Night Tour at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
📅 Wednesday, Aug. 12 | 8:00–10:15 PM
📍 Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Experience Corkscrew after dark alongside an Audubon naturalist as insects, owls and other nocturnal wildlife begin to stir. Summer tours may even include the sanctuary's bioluminescent mushrooms, one of Southwest Florida's more unusual natural sights. Reservations are required. Tickets.
Poll Results: Appetizing Apps?
Last week we asked: You're ordering one seafood appetizer for the table. What are you picking?
Here’s where you landed:
Calamari won with 25% of votes! The race for second place was close, with oysters narrowly edging out coconut shrimp by just a few votes. The consensus seems to be that calamari is the easiest to share with others, unlike some of our more unpopular options like crab cakes or tuna tartare. Thank you all for voting!
This Week’s Poll: On the water?
You're heading for the water. What's your first choice?
Why It Matters
Seven events, one very tempting rental, and plenty of reasons not to spend the week at home.
If I had to pick one, I’d probably save Evening on Fifth for an easy night out and Corkscrew after dark for something a little different.
What are you doing this week? Hit reply and tell me where you’re headed.
Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review
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