The Roaring Twenties are around the corner
There will be no shortage of options on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2020 at Fort Myers Beach. Many of the major restaurant venues will have some type of entertainment.
At Lani Kai Island Resort, there will be a Roaring Twenties theme led by the musical act of Angela Hicks and the Midnight Messengers on the sixth floor. Her new group will be playing soul/funk songs in the Island View room beginning at 9:30 p.m.
According to Lani Kai Resort Marketing Director Melissa Schneider, the Island View will transform “into a swanky 1920s Art Deco supper club for an elegant gala featuring a lavish four-course menu and live.” Reservations are highly suggested, she stated.
“Guests are totally welcome to dress up in 1920’s attire and 1920’s elegance,” Schneider said.
The band features Isaiah Suriel on saxophone, Hunter Dahlen on guitar, Jose Cordero on keyboards, Jonathan Taylor on bass and Jalen Rushing on drums. Four of the members are students at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Hicks said most of the members of the band have played together in various arrangements but “this is the first time we are all coming together under this band name.” The group will primarily be playing songs from the 1970’s though there will be some modern songs as well, Hicks said. “It will be something for the people to really dance and party to.”
Hicks cites Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall and Carmen McRae as influences. She also does belly dancing and sword balancing when she is not teaching. She learned the belly dancing trade from her grandmother. She is looking forward to playing with her new group for her first New Year’s Eve concert. “These guys are really great. They can just a hear part of the song and go with it.”
The gala will begin with a sit-down, four-course dinner with three-different time options available at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. There will be a champagne toast at midnight with the music and dancing concluding at 12:30 a.m. Guests at the Island View will get a good look at the fireworks show. There will also be music at the Club Ohana nightclub from the band Radio Ghost. Guests are also welcome to enjoy drinks on the beach outside the resort. Lani Kai’s Sun Deck Restaurant will also be open allowing customers to get a great view of the fireworks as well. “All the restaurants will have free party favors,” Schneider said. That includes hats, noisemakers and necklaces.
Other venues
– David Kasten, who runs marketing for Salty Sam’s Marina, said the Parrot Key Caribbean Grill and the Original Shrimp Dock Bar and Grill will both be open for New Year’s Eve. “We’ll have lived music at both restaurants, party favors, champagne toasts and a special menu,” he said.
– The band Live Wire will play dance and party music at The Original Shrimp Dock Bar and Grill while Caribbean Grooves will belt out “reggae and island music,” Kasten said. “I do recommend reservations because both of them are very popular.”
– At DiamondHead Beach Resort, General Manager Neil Hopgood said both Coste Island Cuisine and Cabanas Beach Bar and Grille will be taking reservations for New Year’s Eve. Chris Kemp will be performing country and rock at Coste Island Cuisine. There will be party favors including a champagne toast at midnight. There will also be outdoor seating on the covered terrace of the first level.
For a complete list of entertainment options on Fort Myers Beach for New Year’s Eve, check out next week’s Beach Beat in the Fort Myers Beach Bulletin.