The soulful, bluesy and haunting folk-rock sounds of Violet Bell are making their way back to Southwest Florida for a series of concerts in the region. The Durham, North Carolina-based music duo is currently on tour promoting their debut album, “ Dream the Wheel ,” with an anticipated second album coming out some time in 2018. Violet Bell’s sound is difficult to categorize into a single genre with musical influences ranging from Fiona Apple and PJ Harvey to Otis Redding, Debussy the Velvet

World-renowned photographer Jerry Uelsmann comes to Southwest Florida for the opening of a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida Southwestern State College . Uelsmann is known for the complex darkroom techniques he pioneered in the 1950s and 60s to create his surreal images and is regarded as the pre-digital master of composite imagery and photomontage. With more than 75 original photographs, including some never-before-seen works, this will mark one of

As we enter 2018 we're taking a look back at how the endangered Florida panther population fared last year. Biologists say the panther population is growing, and that the number of overall documented panther deaths was down in 2017 for the first time in years. Thirty panthers died last year, with 25 killed by motor vehicles. That's down from 2016's record number of 42 overall deaths with 34 vehicle kills.

Have you ever looked into your family’s history? Maybe you’ve even had your DNA tested by a company like 23andMe ? We’re joined by the Lee County Genealogy Society's past president Carol Rooksby Weidlich, and FGCU professor Karen Ryan who is teaching a course on genealogy, to discuss the many ways it’s the possible these days to explore our roots.

The FGCU College of Arts and Sciences kicks off its Seidler Family Lecture Series with a visit from Dr. Lisa Anderson . She is the James T. Shotwell Professor Emeritas of International Relations at Columbia University and serves as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations . Her resume includes serving as Dean of the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs and President of the American University in Cairo. Her speaking engagement is entitled “The State and its Competitors in the

As Florida’s 2018 legislative session begins this week, WGCU is launching a weekly series of legislative roundtable discussions for each Monday edition of “ Gulf Coast Live! ” throughout the 60-day session. These conversations are intended to provide an in depth look at the latest developments in the state capitol and how they impact Southwest Floridians.

The Southwest Florida Symphony in Fort Myers serves as Lee County’s professional orchestra and is one of the oldest symphony orchestras on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The ensemble’s musicians have been providing a broad range of classical performances to local audiences for more than half a century and the group is wasting no time kicking off the New Year with the latest installment of their ‘ Masterworks ’ concert series this Friday, Jan. 6 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall .

Christmas Day has come and gone, but the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th, has even more weight in some cultures. Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, a traditional Catholic holiday is celebrated on the 6th of January through much of Latin America -- and arguably, most so, on the island of Puerto Rico. Sanibel poet Joe Pacheco brings us this piece remembering his first tropical Christmas.

A big year, at least amongst birders, is an unofficial competition to see who can see or hear the most species of birds within a given geographical area. This can be done within a state, country or, even, the world.

We're joined live in studio by the five members of Captain Joe and the Bottom Feeders . The Bottomfeeders are a bluegrass band led by fishing guide Captain Joe McNichols. He was joined by Sharon Morrison, Pat Morrison and Larry Wicker in 2010, and Angela Girdley came aboard in 2017. They've been pickin’ and grinnin’ ever since. They play mostly traditional bluegrass music, but throw in a few other songs that are favorites from the past. They say their goal is to create a pleasing sound while