In This Weeks Slice:

• 🕍 The Naples Players ‘23 - ‘24 season opens.

• 🎄 Christmas is in July!

• 🤠 Luke Combs: World Tour

• 🏗️ New redevelopment coming to Fifth Avenue S

IN THE NEWS

Fifth Avenue S redevelopment project proposes new restaurant and rental units. 🏗️ The project is planned to create a new restaurant and luxury rental units on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. The proposal would demolish the single-story building at 472 Fifth Ave. S., between the Del Mar and Osteria Tulia restaurants, and replace it with a three-story structure that would have a ground-floor restaurant and two floors of high-end residences. (GB)

Hoffman to acquire Bleu Provence in Olde Naples, 🇫🇷 the award-winning French restaurant that has operated for nearly 25 years on the Crayton Cove corner of Eighth Street South and 12th Avenue South. After the Old Naples business changes hands this summer, it will continue to operate status quo, Naples-based Hoffmann reports. (GB)

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is open 🏖️ after Hurricane Ian and it's still glorious. The popular, natural Naples beach is a local favorite, has historically ranked high in national best beach lists and ranks as the No. 1 best thing to do in Naples by U.S. News & World Report. (NDN)

Florida Legislature heightens fear of loosing local control. 🚧 The Florida Legislature passed several bills this session that strengthen developer rights but weaken local control over planning and zoning decisions. The result: Residents of beachside communities and other Southwest Florida cities and towns will have less time and fewer legal tools to block construction projects and developments that don’t fit the character of their neighborhoods. (GB)

THINGS TO DO

Today

🍊 The Hunchback of Notre Dame presented by The Naples Players. This timeless retelling of Victor Hugo’s renowned novel, partnered with Disney & Alan Menken’s sweeping score and Stephen Schwartz’s moving lyrics, demonstrates the power of love, acceptance, and what it means to be a hero. (Pine Ridge)

Tomorrow

🍊 Mercato Nights Music Series featuring Moonstone Riders. Don’t miss this awesome group playing the perfect mix of Country, Funk & Jam-band. Jam out to all the best hits from Pink Floyd to Johnny Cash & everything in between. Lawn chairs are welcome! 6:30 - 8:30pm (Mercato)

Friday

🍊 A Brothers Revival: An Allman Brothers Tribute is performing for one day only at Artis Naples. Be transported back to the heyday of the Allman Brothers when they take the stage in Daniels Pavilion for an electrifying tribute concert. 6:00pm and 8:30pm (Pelican Bay)

🍊Live Music at Food and Thought 2: Brendon McDonnell. 6:00 - 9:00pm (Vanderbilt)

Saturday

🍊 Third Street Farmers Market has fresh produce, flowers, pastas, seafood, pastries & baked goods, prepared foods, jams, relishes, fresh roasted coffee and much more. 7:30 - 11:30am (Olde Naples)

🍊 Vanderbilt Farmers Market is North Naples largest, longest running, year round, pet & family friendly Farmers Market! 8:00 - 12:00pm (Vanderbilt)

🍊 Christmas in July Artisan Market. Have a very merry time strolling through the market discovering gifts for friends, family & even yourself. 12:00 - 4:00pm (Mercato)

🍊 Elevate Nights Summer Groove Dance Party at Seed to Table featuring The Rich Kids from 8:00 - 10:00pm followed by a DJ. (Immokalee Road)

Sunday

🍊 Live Music at The Pub: Austin James. 1:00 - 4:00pm. (Mercato)

Monday

🍊 Get your Pickleball on at East Naples Community Park. Free to play from 12:00 - 5:00pm. $5 fee applies outside those hours. (East Naples)

Tuesday

🍊The Sweet Liberty offers Sunset Cruises on their catamaran out into the Gulf. 6:45pm. (Naples Bay)

HAPPY HOUR 🍹

Dorona will be offering a Sips & Bites Special featuring a Wine Flight of 2 White & 2 Red Wines as well as 2 Bites from 5pm to 7pm for just $22 on Thursday, July 6th. (Sun Terrace)

DOWN FOR A DRIVE? 🚘

Luke Combs: World Tour is coming to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for two nights, Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th. Featuring Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Gary Allan, and Brent Cobb. 5:45pm (Tampa)

FUN FACT 🦅

Did you know that you can find Bald Eagles in the Everglades? (Source)