Concierge

People say they love to live on or visit Sanibel and Captiva islands because of the wildlife. But what about the islands wild life? By city standards it may be rather tame, but it's definitely not extinct.

For such a small place, night life abounds on Captiva. Chadwick's Lounge, located at the entrance to South Seas Plantation, features a local favorite, the Danny Morgan Band for Island Sounds (see Island Troubadour in this issue, page 26). The band performs Wednesdays through Sundays, beginning at 9 p.m. until about midnight or 1 a.m. On Tuesdays from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., Chadwick's patrons are treated to the Southwest Florida Steel Drum Band. Chadwick's Square, Captiva, 941/472-5111. Bellini's of Captiva offers piano entertainment every night of the week during season. Assistant manager Michael Roundy says the three pianists who comprise the rotating roster Òusually play light jazz and classic piano, and also take requests. They play from about 7 p.m. until 10 or 11 p.m. 11521 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/472-6866.

Co-owner Wil Rivait of The Terrace books piano entertainment several times a week inside his establishment. The scheduled pianist, who is one of two or three regulars, plays from about 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-1677. Captiva Garden Grille, formerly the Royal Windsor on Captiva, will feature musician Gary Davis each night during February, March, and April. Davis, a solo artist who hails from Wales, plays the guitar and mouth organ. Also during those three months, on Sunday afternoons, a steel drum band will perform, and a barbecue will be held in the restaurant's garden. 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/ 395-2988.

This is the first season for R.C. Otter's Island Eats, located in the former Captiva Art Caf. Owner Rob DeGennaro schedules nightly entertainment year round, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entertainers include Mark Northey, Pat McCune on 12-string guitar, Jeff Reed, the Charlie Jenkins Band, and the Troublestarters. 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-1142. Crab racing is tons of fun in the Crow's Nest Lounge at Tween Waters Inn every Monday, every week of the year. The family show starts at 6 p.m., followed by the adults-only show at 9 p.m. Live music and dancing, usually to Top 40 tunes, takes place Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sundays from 8 p.m. to midnight. Also at Tween Waters, in the Old Captiva House, pianist Frank Arrigo serenades diners on Tuesdays through Sundays, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., whether it's season or not. Arrigo is known for his easy listening background music, and he also takes requests. 15951 Captiva Road, Captiva, 941/472-5161.

Sports fans head for the original Lazy Flamingo, located at Sanibel's Blind Pass, to watch their favorite teams on television, including satellite channels. If you happen to be at the other end of the island, visit Lazy Flamingo II, which has seven televisions and a satellite dish. 6520 Pine Ave., Sanibel, 941/472-5353 and 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-6939.

Versatile musician Richie Bartow plays the guitar and piano at Beaches Bar & Grill, located at Windows on the Water in the Sundial Beach and Tennis Resort. Bartow performs every Tuesday through Sunday, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 941/395-6014.

Morgan's Forest is an adventurous experience for the young and the young at heart. Dine in a South American tropical rainforest setting that's full of intermittent mist and fog, thunder and lightning. Near your table you'll find lifelike birds, monkeys, and, oh yes, a sloth and a leopard. At the bar, watch the butterfly flutter by. 1231 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 941/472-4100.

At the urging of patrons, Beachview Inn Restaurant and Lounge, which overlooks Beachview Golf Course, has greatly expanded its entertainment schedule this season. Owner Ken Steele explains, Lots of people really like piano music, especially when they are dining. So we have a piano player every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, from about 6 p.m. to 9:30 or 10 p.m. In addition, Steele has booked the Charlie Jenkins Band to perform Tuesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 1100 Parview Drive, Sanibel, 941/472-4394.

Pianist Jean Calamaci plays everybody's old favorites, and is also happy to take your special requests, at Portofino at the Sanibel Inn. Calamaci is scheduled every Friday and Saturday, year round, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 937 East Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 941-472-0494. The piano at the Riviera Restaurant, in Nutmeg Village, gets a lot of use every evening during season, from about 6:30 p.m. to 11 or 11:30 p.m. From June through November, it's played almost every Thursday through Sunday. We usually rotate three pianists, according to assistant manager Michael Binkowski. They play requests, jazz, Top 40 hits, classical, you name it. They can play just about anything. 2761 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 941/472-1141.

The Sanibel Grill, located at the Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, keeps sports junkies satisfied with its six satellite televisions and 10 large-screen televisions. Manager Scott Donnelly has his establishment stay open until 1 a.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and until midnight on Sundays. That way, you always have plenty of time to follow your favorite teams and stars, be they professional or college. 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 941/472-4453.

Cameron Diaz, move over. Let another newbie give karaoke a try in Legends Bar & Grill, at Tarwinkle's Seafood Emporium. That popular, and often hilarious, form of entertainment is held on Fridays and Saturdays, from about 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. In addition, Legends has five satellite televisions, including a 61-incher. Win a free drink by taking part in NTN-interactive Trivia. Corner of Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1366. McT's Shrimp House and Tavern attracts pinball wizards, video game addicts, and fans of electronic darts, from 4:45 p.m. to 12:30 or 1 a.m., 365 days of the year. Not to be left out, couch potatoes can while away the time in front of the large-screen television sets. 1523 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-3161.

Live entertainment takes place nightly throughout the year at Jacaranda's Patio Lounge. Featured groups at the well-known hangout include the Tropical Breeze Reggae Band, Loose Change, and a Dixieland jazz group known as the Dixie Dooley Band. 1223 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941-472-1771. The islands lost one late-night spot when Locos Grill and Comedy Club shut its doors a few months ago, but it gained another with the addition in November of The Bungalow, next door to the Island House Restaurant at the former Locos location. Bike-path riders can take a break and cool off there, starting at 3 p.m. daily. ÒThe Bungalow is a real casual atmosphere, explains co-owner Mike Fitz, who also runs the Island House and the Beached Whale on Ft. Myers Beach. Patrons enjoy satellite televisions, a pool table, electronic darts, juke box, and video games until the closing time of 1 a.m. 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel, 941/472-8311.

Across the Sanibel Causeway at Punta Rassa, the Courtside Sports Bar & Grill is located on the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa compound. Nascrab races are featured every Wednesday night, year round, starting with the family show at 6 p.m. and the adult show at 9 p.m. Manager Frans Kox has installed 25 television sets and eight satellite sets, including at least one large-screen television. Kox brings in as many as three more for special events such as the Super Bowl. ÒWe can pretty much show anything from all over the world, he notes, adding that Courtside stays open daily until midnight. 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Ft. Myers, 941/466-2138. NLG