Downtown Crowd, March 2025 by Ballinger Publishing

SHOUT OUT

Celebrating the Wins That Lift Us All

Nonprofit certification boosts credibility and demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of management. It builds trust with donors, partners, and volunteers while enhancing accountability and stewardship.

— Andrea Krieger PSC’s Executive Director of Institutional Development

Rishy and I support many not-for-profits.

This certification creates a gold standard in quality. Organizations that are certified will be seen very favorable by us in the decision on where to donate.

— Quint Studer

The Value of Accreditation

Pensacola State College’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Philanthropy is raising the bar for nonprofit organizations with its prestigious certification programs. Designed to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while promoting the highest standards in nonprofit management, these certifications are a game-changer for organizations aiming to amplify their impact.

Led by a team of dedicated PSC staff, nonprofit experts, and community partners, the program equips nonprofit professionals with best practices in critical areas such as board governance, strategic planning, fundraising, risk management, human resources, and financial management.

Certified organizations gain access to a host of benefits, including grant opportunities, research resources, and templates designed to enhance their mission’s impact. Certification also signals professional

Accreditation benefits your organization, board of directors, and stakeholders by providing: A MARK OF QUALITY

Showing a commitment to accountability, competence, and excellence.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Assures board members, funders, and stakeholders that policies and procedures include necessary safeguards.

growth and team development, empowering nonprofits with cutting-edge skills and knowledge.

“These certifications open doors to incredible projects and collaborations,” said Andrea Krieger, PSC’s Executive Director of Institutional Development. “They position nonprofits as transparent, ethical, and forward-thinking—qualities that attract funders and partners.”

Krieger emphasized that certified nonprofits often stand out in competitive grant processes, with funders prioritizing organizations that demonstrate compliance and excellence.

“We’re thrilled to support nonprofits that enhance the vibrancy of our wonderful community,” she shared.

Through PSC’s certification programs, nonprofit professionals can transform their organizations and strengthen their impact.

BENEFITS VARY BY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

Whether enrolled in Organizational Excellence, Core Competency, or a Subject Matter Certificate; accreditation provides expert instruction to help train your team and improve individual and organizational efficiency.

5Eleven • Blue Wahoos • Bodacious Shops • Bodacious Bookstore Bodacious Brew Thru • Bubba’s Sweet Spot • Oyster Bay • Studer Properties Submit your shout out: info@quintstuder.com

DOWNTOWN CROWD | MARCH 2025

Editor’s Letter

Morgan Cole, Editor

The days are getting warmer and it’s finally starting to feel a little bit like spring. March 20 marks the first official day of spring, and it’s about time! Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed our historic Florida snow day, but I’m ready to get back outside and start enjoying some of my favorite spring activities again.

Luckily, there’s plenty of springtime fun happening in Pensacola, and March kicks off the spring season with a bang! From festive St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the final Mardi Gras parade of the season to the return of the annual Books by the Bay Festival, the month of March is filled with exciting local events to help you kick off the spring season.

In this issue, we’ve brought you the stories behind some of Pensacola’s iconic Irish pubs and their upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and details on the upcoming Books by the Bay Festival.

You’ll also read about one of my favorite recurring events—the Pensacola Songwriter Rounds Series at The Handlebar. The monthly songwriter show features local singer-songwriters sharing their original songs in a listening room atmosphere. It’s a fantastic local event that spotlights a talented group of local musicians, and I highly recommend checking it out! Learn more about it on page 10.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to get boozy on St. Paddy’s Day or prefer a more laid-back outdoor event, these local events are sure to put some spring in your step!

As always, we hope you enjoy the read and, until next time, Cheers!

e v e r y W e d n e s d a y s t a r t i n g a t 5 p m

$ 1 0 D I N E I N O N L Y B U R G E R B U R G E R B R E W B R E W + +

a t l a s o y s t e r h o u s e . c o m

5 Questions with Creatives

Angela Lowery, Owner of Artsy Angie Creations

Angela Lowery is a local artist who has found a niche in painting vibrant custom pet portraits. Using acrylic paints, Lowery captures the personality and quirks of each pet she paints, creating pieces that are as unique as the furry friends they pay tribute to.

While Lowery typically receives requests to paint dogs and cats, she doesn’t shy away from any task. She has showcased all sorts of animals in her work—from dogs and cats to reptiles, chickens, hamsters and more.

To check out more of Lowery’s work, check out @artsyangiecreations on Facebook and Instagram. Lowery accepts commissions online at artsyangiecreations.myportfolio.com.

DTC: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your professional background?

AL: I’m originally from Miami, but I have lived in Pensacola for 21 years. My family moved here to be closer to my extended family when I was 7 years old. I am a cat mom of three. I am married to my high school sweetheart and expecting a baby boy in March this year. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of West Florida (UWF). I pursued the degree as my love for art has been lifelong and mostly self-taught. I wanted to expand my talents further under the incredible professors in the art department. I studied figure drawing, metal and wood sculpture, ceramics and techniques to refine my painting skills..

DTC: What first inspired you to start creating, and how did you find your niche in pet portraits?

AL: I started pet portraits as a gift for my parents and my now-husband, capturing all of our animals. I painted each pet on individual 4x4-inch canvases and turned them into ornaments for Christmas in 2019. After sharing my work on social media, friends and family began reaching out in January 2020, asking me to paint their loved ones’ pets as gifts. I continued with this niche, as it not only brought me joy but also helped me during painting critiques in my painting class at UWF. Over time, more people discovered my work and reached out for paintings of their beloved pets on canvas. I have loved painting every piece since!

DTC: Tell me a little bit about the different types of pieces you create.

AL: Magnets are my most affordable piece and have the quickest turnaround time of the pieces I offer. I place an adhesive magnet on the back of a 2-inch by 2-inch canvas. Then, I paint the portrait and apply finishing varnish for completion. Magnets can be completed in one day and shipped out or picked up one to two days later.

Ornaments are my most popular option around the Christmas season. I take a 4-inch by 4-inch wrapped canvas, paint the portrait and apply finishing varnish. Once the varnish is dry, I glue a gold loop string and a thin cardboard piece with my logo on the back to keep the ornament from being punctured on the back since I use wrapped canvases. Depending on the queue of commissions, ornaments can take about four to seven days for shipping or pick up.

Standard canvases are chosen by the person getting the commission based on either the budget or size desired. They can choose from a wrapped or flat canvas in various sizes. Turnaround times vary, depending on the size of the selected canvas.

DTC: Can you take me through your creative process and describe what goes into creating one of your pieces?

AL: My process depends on the photo reference(s) provided by the person

wanting the commission. I often start by putting the photo reference into Photoshop and cropping it to the size of the canvas; then, I print the photo out. If the person has commissioned multiple pets on one canvas, I create a photoshopped photo of all pets together to fit the desired canvas size and then print it. Once the photo is printed out, I use tracing paper to trace the image and transfer it to the canvas. At this point, my canvas has a coat of paint applied. It is either the desired background color of the person commissioning it or the color choice has been left to my artistic discretion. I transfer the overall shape of the pet onto the canvas and paint it white as a base to finish transferring the pet’s features. I work in layers throughout the piece, starting with the base colors of the pet(s) and gradually building up to finer details, finishing with elements like whiskers or a collar.

DTC: Is there anything else you’d like to add, or that you’d like readers to know?

AL: I’m always here for all pet portrait needs, whether your pet has been over the rainbow bridge for years or if you want your earthside pet on canvas just because. While my portfolio is mostly cats and dogs, I would love to paint more reptiles, chickens, birds, horses, and more. I’m always up for a challenge when it comes to something I’ve never done before!

by Nicole Willis

JAN.

Pensacola Songwriter Rounds Series

Shining the Spotlight on Local Songwriters

by Chloe Cadenhead

From Belmont-DeVilliers’ storied jazz, blues and ragtime clubs to the the Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival, Pensacola has served as a hub for live music of all genres throughout its history.

Fast forward to 2025, and venues across the city continue to keep Pensacola’s musical heritage alive by hosting open mic nights and events that provide a platform for local musicians to share their work.

The Handlebar is one modern-day venue rooted in history where local musicians can take the stage and perform their original songs.

The Handlebar’s rich musical history made it the perfect candidate for singer-songwriter Katie Dineen to host her monthly Pensacola Songwriter Rounds Series. Each month, Katie and a small group of both local and touring musicians gather at The Handlebar in downtown Pensacola and perform four to six of their original songs in what’s referred to as

“The Pensacola Songwriter Rounds is modeled after Nashville-style songwriter rounds, which are essentially a show-and-tell for songwriters in a listening room,” Katie explained. “Four or five songwriters sit on stage sideby-side and one person shares a song then ‘passes the mic’ to the next writer. This style of song sharing allows for spontaneity among artists.”

Katie has been performing in Pensacola and the surrounding area since 2020 and began using her local influence to help bolster other songwriters in the summer of 2022.

One of these new performers is Pensacola native, Nate Clay. He had performed before, playing keyboard for his friend, Tori Vinson, but had never played solo. Clay performed his original music for the first time at the Songwriter Rounds in January 2025.

“Having a date set and a goal to look towards has really motivated me to hone these songs into a performable state,” Clay said. “Ideas without discipline only get you so far and the rounds have given me the drive to follow through and actualize the stories I have to tell.”

One significant difference between these Songwriter Rounds and traditional open mic events is the environment. Contrary to typical bar or cafe settings, The Handlebar becomes what’s referred to as a “listening room,” with no chatter or background noise. Instead, all attention is focused on the music and lyrics.

“The listening room atmosphere cultivates a sense of togetherness between the artists and the audience, a feeling of hearing and being heard,” Katie said.

For many first-time performers, this makes the experience much more approachable.

“My own music leans toward balladry, being more quiet and contemplative, and I felt it would be well-suited to the listening atmosphere Katie Dineen has worked to establish with the rounds,” Clay explained.

Photos by Will Rain

“The listening room atmosphere cultivates a sense of togetherness between the artists and the audience, a feeling of hearing and being heard.”

From slow piano ballads to upbeat acoustic folksongs, there are no constraints when it comes to the type of music performed in the Songwriter Rounds. Both local and touring musicians across all genres of music are invited to perform at the event. Many of the singer-songwriters also welcome improvised collaboration on their songs, with some even inviting the audience to sing along as they perform.

“Building a community around original music, I hope that it will draw more of that in,” Katie said. “My hope for the future of this series and the future for Pensacola is that it becomes an artistic hub. I’d like for it to continue to go on and be a space for songwriters to express themselves.”

The next Pensacola Songwriter Rounds Series event will be held at 6 PM on March 30 at The Handlebar at 319 N. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola.

For updates on upcoming events and to learn more about the Pensacola Songwriter Rounds Series, visit facebook.com/pensacolasongwriterrounds and check out @pensacolasongwriter and @katiedineensings on Instagram. You can also visit thehandlebar850.com for future dates and venue details.

If you have recently been married in or around the Pensacola area and have an interest in appearing on the cover of the annual Weddings issue of Pensacola Magazine, visit ballingerpublishing.com/weddings2025 and submit up to three high-resolution images of your wedding for a chance to be featured on the next cover!

It’s officially that happy-go-lucky time of year, and there are plenty of ways to get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Although Pensacola isn’t exactly known for its extensive Irish history, it is home to a handful of iconic Irish pubs that know how to go big when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

Whether you’re looking for green beer and bar crawls, traditional Irish eats and treats or the perfect spot to jig along to some live music, these local Irish pubs will surely deliver a healthy dose of St. Paddy’s Day fun for everyone. Sláinte!

McGuire’s offers a huge list of beers (locally crafted and others), an extensive food menu with generous portions and plenty of traditional live music—bagpipes included.

The menu features a variety of traditional Irish pub foods like Irish boxties, shepherd’s pie, authentic Irish lamb stew, Irish cockles and mussels, corned beef and cabbage, lamb shank colcannon, Irish steak and mushroom pie.

McGuire’s also boasts an onsite brewery, which first opened in 1988 and brews fine ales, porters, stouts and more. All beers are brewed at McGuire’s in the traditional oak and copper brewery using the finest malted barley, imported hops and McGuire’s signature house yeast.

They offer five beers regularly: light ale, Irish stout, red ale, IPA and porter. Other seasonal beers are offered on rotation, including their popular raspberry wheat ale, Belgian ale, Oktoberfest, Hefeweizen and more. The signature drink at McGuire’s is the Irish Wake, a powerful cocktail that mixes rum, blue curaçao, orange juice and peach schnapps. For those who don’t drink, McGuire’s also brews its own root beer.

You can enjoy live music just about every night of the week from 9 pm until close, which typically includes a mix of traditional Irish pub music and other popular modern favorites.

McGuire’s Irish Pub

600 E. Gregory St.

McGuire’s Irish Pub is one of Pensacola’s oldest restaurants, and it’s also known as the oldest craft brewery in Florida. McGuire’s first opened in 1977 as a small neighborhood pub in the Town & Country Plaza shopping center in Pensacola. In 1982, it moved to its current location, which served as Pensacola’s original 1927 old firehouse.

Known for its on-site brewery and funny patron traditions, like kissing a stuffed moose head and stapling autographed dollar bill “tips” to the ceiling, McGuire’s Irish Pub has become a staple in the Pensacola community. The 20,000-square-foot restaurant boasts around 615 seats spread amongst various themed rooms—each inspired by a turn-of-the-century, New York Irish-style saloon.

McGuire’s Irish Pub is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 2 am and on Sunday from 10 am to 2 am. For details on upcoming events, daily specials and more, visit mcguiresirishpub.com/pensacola and follow @mcguiresirishpub on Facebook and @mcguirespensacola on Instagram.

48th Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Prediction 5K Run

March 8

Get your run on at the 48th Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Run in downtown Pensacola. Dress up in your wackiest green ensemble and join more than 5,000 racers for one of the largest 5K prediction runs in the country. Crossing the finish line is just the beginning, come for the run and stay for the party! The cost to register is $45 and all ages are welcome. Race registration fees include a McGuire’s Run shirt and access to the best post-race party around, featuring live entertainment, Irish fare and cocktails, beer and more. The certified 5K course (3.1 miles) starts and finishes at McGuire’s Irish Pub. To register and for complete event details, visit mcguiresirishpub.com.

by Morgan Cole & Nicole Willis

O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown

321 S. Palafox St.

O’Riley’s Irish Pub is one of two O’Riley’s locations in Pensacola. The downtown pub made its debut on Palafox Street in 2013 and offers a little something for everyone.

The two-story venue boasts a full-service restaurant and main bar on the first floor with multiple large-screen TVs for sports games. In addition to ample indoor and outdoor seating, patrons can also enjoy an upstairs pool room and dart lounge.

O’Riley’s downtown location also offers an extensive food menu featuring a mix of American and traditional Irish pub foods like cajun egg rolls, chili cheese fries, burgers, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Irish boxties and shepherd’s pie.

While O’Riley’s doesn’t brew its own beer, it does have more than 30 beers on tap with everything from domestic to local craft brews. The pub also offers a large selection of spirits and creative cocktails, including their signature Irish Trashcan, which contains a mix of vodka, gin, rum, peach schnapps, Blue Curaçao and Red Bull.

O’Riley’s runs happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm with BOGO domestic draft beers, wine and well drinks.

As for entertainment, O’Riley’s always has something fun going on. Weekly events include trivia nights, bingo and gamer nights. You can also enjoy Dollar Nights on Wednesdays starting at 8 pm.

O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown is open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3 am and Saturday through Sunday from 10 am to 3 am. The pub also hosts brunch on Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

For details on upcoming events, daily specials and more, visit orileyspub.com and check out @orileysirishpub on Facebook and Instagram.

O’Riley’s Irish Pub St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

March 15 to 17

O’Riley’s Irish Pub is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all weekend long! Enjoy drink specials, green beer, corned beef, cabbage and other Irish fares all weekend. Kick off the weekend with the Green Eggs & Kegs Brunch on Saturday from 10 am to Noon. Then, starting in the afternoon, join in the Grog March Pub Crawl starting with registration at 4 pm featuring raffles and prizes at 10 pm. Perfectly planned for crawlers to recover, there will be another Green Eggs & Kegs Brunch from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday. On March 17, O’Riley’s will open at 10 am. Select promos and specials will be held throughout the day on Monday. For more information, visit orileyspub.com.

O’Riley’s

March 15

Grog March Pub Crawl

O’Riley’s annual Grog March is back for another year of St. Paddy’s Day fun to support our local Manna Food Pantries’ mission of feeding the hungry across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Enjoy beer, Irish whiskey and themed specialty drinks at each of the stops along the way! To participate, crawlers are asked to support Manna with a $10 cash donation and bring a non-perishable food item to donate at the door. Grab your green gear and get ready to party for a good cause! Registration begins at 4 pm at O’Riley’s in downtown Pensacola, with the crawl kicking off around 6:45 pm. An afterparty will be hosted at O’Riley’s at 10 pm featuring raffles, prizes and more Irish fun! Crawlers must be 21+. For event details, visit orileyspub.com.

O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern

3728 Creighton Rd.

O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern, Pensacola’s original O’Riley’s Pub, is a locally owned and operated neighborhood Irish pub that has served the Pensacola area for over 20 years. The original O’Riley’s Irish Pub was transformed into what we now know as O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern in 2003 when owners Patti and Derek Sonnen decided to venture into the hospitality industry.

Located off the beaten path on Creighton Road, O’Riley’s Uptown provides a fun getaway at the north end of Pensacola for those not looking to drive downtown. O’Riley’s Uptown is known for its large outdoor patio, backyard space and pool room. Patrons can also enjoy dart boards, arcade machines and more than a dozen HD TVs with watch party seating.

The tavern maintains a regular day following, with an extended happy hour offered throughout the week, including Dollar Night every Wednesday with a live DJ. O’Riley’s also hosts weekly trivia, bar bingo and karaoke nights with some awesome prizes for winners.

O’Riley’s Uptown offers a variety of nightly drink specials and an extensive craft beer menu. Unlike its sister pub, you won’t find any food here. They offer around 20 beers on tap with local craft favorites like Pensacola Bay Brewery’s Riptide, Sir Richard’s Queen’s Lager and more.

You’ll find a host of weekly events including bar bingo, karaoke, trivia, late-night Jackbox Mondays and more. O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern is open daily from 11 am to 3 am. Visit orileystavern.com and follow @orileysuptowntavern on Facebook and Instagram for details on other upcoming events, nightly drinks specials

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern March 15 to 17

O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern is going green for St. Patrick’s Day with a threeday celebration from March 15 through March 17 featuring themed drink specials, a live DJ, games, prizes, exclusive merchandise and more. Enjoy all the green beer, Guinness and Irish Whiskey that your heart desires throughout the entire weekend. On March 17, O’Riley’s will transform into Ireland with a St. Patty’s Day celebration that spans the entire venue, including the patio and O’Riley’s backyard.There will be a $5 cover starting at 3 pm. Visit orileystavern.com/new-events for event details.

Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub

49 Via De Luna Dr.

Owned and operated by locals Gary Humphrey and Seamas Hunt, Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub (Paddy’s) is somewhat of a hidden gem on Pensacola Beach. The pub officially opened its doors in March of 2000, just a few days before St. Patrick’s Day, and has developed a loyal following that’s turned it into one of the most popular hangouts on the beach.

Gary Humphrey and his wife, Maureen, relocated to the Pensacola area from Pittsburgh back in 1983 and have called it home ever since. Co-owner Seamas Hunt moved to Pensacola from County Wicklow, Ireland in 1996 after graduating from college. He and his wife Sharon and their four kids reside in Gulf Breeze.

Gary and Seamas decided to open Paddy’s back in 1998 when Gary and his wife accompanied Seamas and his family on a trip to Ireland to attend his twin brother’s wedding. During the trip, Seamas took Gary on a tour of his favorite Irish pubs and Gary was so impressed, the two made it their mission to introduce the people of Pensacola to a “real Irish pub.”

Like O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern, you won’t find any Irish grub at Paddy’s, but with more than 100 beers available, you’re sure to find something you can enjoy. Paddy’s signature drink is the Irish car bomb, which is a cocktail that’s made by dropping a shot of Irish cream and Irish whiskey into a glass of Irish stout — typically Guinness.

When it comes to entertainment, Paddy’s always has something going on. Live music is a huge draw for the pub and you’ll find local big names like The Modern Eldorados, plus traditional Irish tunes by The Irish Claddagh. Paddy’s also hosts regular karaoke and open mic nights.

The pub slogan is “where the fun begins and never ends.” You’ll find, NFL Sunday Ticket and College Football games on all TVs, live music, bands, Texas Hold’em, karaoke, nightly drink specials, Irish car bombs galore and, of course, plenty of beer.

Paddy O’Leary’s is open daily from 11 am to 2:30 am. For details on upcoming events, drink specials and more, visit paddyolearysirishpub.com.

More St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations:

St. Patrick’s Celebration Weekend @ Seville Quarter

March 14 to 17

Kick-off St. Patrick’s Day at Seville Quarter with a week-long celebration that includes all of the Seville fun but with an Irish twist. The celebration begins on Tuesday with lunch and dinner specials featuring Irish favorites such as corned beef, cabbage and Irish stew. It wouldn’t be a proper St. Patrick’s celebration without a good drink! Throughout the weekend, there will be specials on green beer, Irish ales and Irish whiskey. Think you’ve got what it takes to win the title of best Irish Jig or Sexiest Redhead? Seville’s crowd will be the judge of that, so be sure to get in the spirit and sport your finest green attire. If you want to fully embrace the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, sport your best leprechaun outfit or kilt for complimentary admission. The St. Paddy’s Day fun is going down at Seville Quarter, located at 130 E. Government St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit sevillequarter.com.

Ice Flyers St. Patrick’s Celebration Presented by McGuire’s

March 15

Even the Pensacola Ice Flyers are getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit this year! Join the Ice Flyers in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the hangar for some fast-flying fun. Presented by McGuire’s Irish Pub, this St. Patrick’s celebration will feature St. Patty’s-themed activities, specialty jerseys and a jersey auction. Be sure to wear your best green and cheer on the Ice Flyers as they face off against the Quad City Storm. The game is set to begin at 7 pm. If you don’t already have a season pass, single-game tickets are available. For ticket options, visit iceflyers.com/tickets or stop by the Pensacola Bay Center box office at 201 E Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit iceflyers.com.

St.

Patrick’s Day Oyster Roast @ Emerald Republic

March 16

What better way to celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day than with cold beer and oysters? On the day before St. Patrick’s Day, Emerald Republic Brewing Co. will host a celebratory oyster roast. From 11 am to 6 pm, the brewery will be shucking up and roasting delicious, fresh oysters for everyone to enjoy. Food and drink specials will be available throughout the day, including Irish beer and themed cocktails. Several new beer releases will also make their debut at the event. If beer’s not your thing, Emerald Republic also offers a wide selection

of spirits, specialty cocktails, premium wines, sodas and more. Take in some live music, enjoy some oysters and grab a cold one—it’s going to be a shucking good time! Emerald Republic is located at 1414 W. Government St. in Pensacola. For more information, visit emeraldrepublicbrewing.com or facebook. com/emeraldrepublicbrewing/events.

38th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl

March 17

The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce invites one and all to “Go Irish on the Island” for the annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl. This annual pub crawl along Pensacola Beach will feature 17 participating beach bars, restaurants and hotels serving up Irish fare, Irish-themed drink specials, entertainment and more. Locals and visitors are invited to dress in green and join in the revelry in support of Pensacola Beach businesses. Paddy O’Leary’s is an official participant in this year’s pub crawl, so be sure to stop by and enjoy some traditional Irish fun at this iconic beach pub. The fun begins at 9 am, with each stop lasting 30 to 45 minutes. For complete event details and to check out the list of participating venues, visit pensacolabeachchamber.com.

Celtic Angels Ireland @ the Saenger Theatre

March 17

Prepare for an enchanting evening as Celtic Angels Ireland takes over the Saenger Theatre stage on March 17 at 7 pm with a captivating energy that promises to transport audiences to the heart of Ireland. Enjoy a spectacular display of traditional Irish songs, breathtaking harmonies and world-class Irish dancing. Celtic Angels Ireland showcases the rich cultural heritage of Ireland through a mesmerizing performance that brings together the country’s best-loved songs sung by the Celtic Angels featuring a live band. Audiences can expect an immersive experience that celebrates the spirit, energy and passion of Ireland’s artistic traditions. The Saenger Theatre is located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com

Pensacola’s Largest Literary Event Returns

by Nicole Willis

Calling all bookworms and bibliophiles! Pensacola’s Books By the Bay Festival (BBB) is back for its second year of reading, writing and literary entertainment in historic downtown Pensacola.

Hosted by Emerald Coast Writers (ECW), this annual outdoor festival brings authors, readers and book lovers together in an engaging familyfriendly atmosphere.

The inaugural BBB Festival was held in 2024, with more than 1,100 authors and literary lovers in attendance. This year, BBB will return to the streets of downtown Pensacola on March 29, bringing a day of literary fun to children and adults of all ages.

BBB will be held in and around Museum Plaza, including the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center and the J. Earle Bowden Building in downtown Pensacola.

At the festival, attendees can meet and greet with numerous notable and best-selling authors, participate in literary exhibitors and author signings, enjoy stage performances and book readings, participate in literarythemed activities and more.

This year’s festival is set to feature nearly 100 authors, more than 40 literary exhibitors and presentations by two award-winning authors.

As a nonprofit organization, BBB is run solely by volunteers and members of ECW. The tremendous success of last year’s BBB event helped put Northwest Florida on the map for book lovers.

“We are on the Writer’s Digest event page for book festivals, and then early on in the year, we got picked up by an online magazine that touted Pensacola as being the fourth top place in the US to go for book lovers, and they talked a lot about our festival being one of the reasons. Then, that got picked up by MSNBC and a few other online venues,” BBB Event Director and ECW President Tonya Dalhaus explained.

Thanks to this publicity, BBB has gained the attention of authors and bookworms from across the country, with some of this year’s authors traveling from places like New Hampshire, Illinois, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Georgia, to name a few.

The main activities at BBB are the readings and the book signings at the Author’s Tent. Throughout the day, attendees will also have a chance to hear readings from 16 notable authors representing a variety of different genres; from Fantasy and Mystery to Non-Fiction and more. Readings will be held from 12:30 to 3 pm in the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center. Children’s book readings will also be held at the J. Earle Bowden Building from 1 to 2 pm.

In the Author’s Tent, fans will have the opportunity to meet with some of their favorite or soon-to-be-favorite authors, purchase books and get them signed.

With nearly 100 authors signing books and meeting with fans, the Author’s Tent will host a series of book signings throughout the day, where authors will rotate in and out of the tent every two to four hours. which will rotate every 2 to 4 hours. The full Author’s Tent schedule, including authors and designated time slots, is available on the BBB website at booksbythebay.info.

Authors Julie Cantrell and Paul Sinor will be speaking at the festival. Cantrell is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author. She writes both fiction and non-fiction and is best known for her debut novel, Into the Free.

Sinor is also an accomplished author, screenwriter, producer and retired US Army Lt. Col.. He has worked as a technical advisor on movies such as I Am Legend, the Transformers series, GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra and more. Sinor will share his screenwriting expertise with BBB attendees through his “Screenwriting 101” workshop at the festival.

Attendees can also enjoy a variety of other family-friendly activities throughout the day, including performances by the African American Heritage Society Readers’ Ensemble, Pensacola High School’s Drama Club and a haiku slam hosted by Northwest Florida poet laureate, Asia Sampson.

Numerous literary exhibitors will also be set up at the event, offering attendees a chance to shop for new reads, book-lover merchandise and more. Some of this year’s exhibitors include publishers, authors, creators,

“We also have a collaboration exhibit with Wide Angle Photo Club. We do this event with them called Picture Me a Story, where our writers will present them with different pieces of work that they will have to illustrate with their photography. That will be on display in the Bowden Building,” Dalhaus said.

BBB is a family-friendly event, and there a plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. The Children’s Activity Center, located in the Bowden Building, will offer a variety of engaging activities including arts and crafts, opportunities to read and listen to readings and an activity that teaches kids how to read and perform poetry. BBB has partnered with local nonprofit ReadyKids! to create a bookmark-making station for the children and their families to enjoy.

Whether you’re a bibliophile or a casual reader, BBB is a great opportunity to expand your literary horizons and find something new to read.

“I am so passionate about this organization and the people in it. It’s just a phenomenal organization. Everybody is so hard working, and everybody gives their all. It’s been very refreshing to be working alongside such a tremendous team of people,” Dalhaus said.

BBB runs from 10 am to 4 pm at Museum Plaza, located at 300 S. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information on the festival, visit booksbythebay.info. To learn more about ECW, visit emeraldcoastwritersinc.org. Follow @BooksByTheBayFestival on Facebook for potential updates.

Pensacola animal lovers are coughing it up for the fifth annual Fur Ball on March 29. Come dressed to impress and have a lint roller on standby for the Pensacola Humane Society’s most pawsomely heartwarming event of the year—Fur Ball.

Since 1943, the Pensacola Humane Society (PHS) has been a leading force in animal welfare. In 1985, PHS became a no-kill shelter, prioritizing the lives of those who can’t advocate for themselves. Originally, the shelter was operated by only one person, but today, PHS has more than a dozen employees with hundreds of volunteers.

Making its debut in 2019, this black-tie gala was created to increase revenue for the PHS by hosting another fundraising event alongside their already well-established Barktoberfest and Paws on Palafox. The Fur Ball quickly became their most successful fundraiser, bringing in $130,000 in 2024 alone.

Eloise Lautier, Secretary of the PHS Board of Directors and Fur Ball event chair, joined forces with Deborah Dunlap, Michelle Sauls, board members and a small committee of local volunteers to host the Humane Society’s annual fundraising event. “The money raised goes entirely to benefit Pensacola Humane Society and the work we do for homeless, abandoned and neglected animals,” Lautier explained.

With tickets selling out each year, the Fur Ball serves as an important funding source for our local Humane Society and the animals it serves.

This year’s Fur Ball will be held on March 29 at 5:30 pm at the Pensacola Yacht Club located at 1897 Cyprus Street. Each ticket includes live music, wine, dinner, cocktails, auctions and, of course, a chance to meet some new furry friends. During the Yappy Hour, PHS will host its beloved Puppy Parade and Cat Walk in which guests can mingle with adoptable pets and hear their stories.

One of the biggest events each year is the auctions. Past auction prizes span a broad range of goodies, from art prints to a guitar signed by Prince. For the first time in Fur Ball history, this year’s auction will include an exciting vacation package.

by Chloe Cadenhead

Perhaps the most notable prize of the evening is the Bow Wow Wow Wow! Table auction at the beginning of the night. Each winner moves to a special seat at the table set with piles of gifts and spirits. They also gain access to an open bar all evening.

Above all else, Fur Ball is a chance to give back to the community while having a glitzy night of fun. All proceeds from the event go directly toward the animals. Because the Humane Society does not receive federal, state or city funding, all funding comes from grants and fundraisers like Fur Ball.

“I’ve always really loved animals and the Fur Ball makes me feel like I’m doing something that will help them,” Lautier said.

Fur Ball tickets are on sale now for $175 each. Event sponsorship opportunities are also still available.

For tickets and more information on event sponsorship, contact Eloise Lautier at (850) 450-8958. Stay up to date on all future events, adoptable pets and volunteer opportunities by following the Pensacola Humane Society on Facebook and Instagram, and by visiting the website at pensacolahumane.org.

While preparing for a performance with their commedia dell’arte troupe, Canio becomes enraged when he discovers that his wife, Nedda, has been having an affair. She refuses to give her lover’s name, as their castmate Beppe urges them to get into costume. During the performance, Canio returns to his jealous rage, and Nedda’s young lover, Silvio, rushes the stage to save her—culminating in a very real tragedy. Featuring one of the most well known arias of all time, “Vesti la giubba,” Pagliacci is a verismo masterpiece of dramatic proportions.

MARCH COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Ice Flyers

Schedule and Theme Nights

March home games and theme nights at the Pensacola Bay Center. From March 14 to 22, home games kick off at 7:05 pm, and the game on March 23 will begin at 4:05 pm. For tickets and information, visit iceflyers.com.

March 14 - Quad City Storm vs Ice Flyers; Youth Jersey Giveaway

March 15 - Quad City Storm vs Ice Flyers; St. Patrick’s Celebration

March 21 - Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers; Small Dog Race Night

March 22 - Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers; Military Appreciation Night

March 23 - Peoria Rivermen vs Ice Flyers; Spongebob Night

Emily Ley’s The Simplified Cookbook Launch @ Bodacious

March 1

Emily Ley is a Pensacola native, businesswoman and author. Ley has found success through her brand Simplified® which sells stationery and organizational products in Target, Walmart, Office Depot and more. Dedicated to helping busy women simplify their lives, Ley is now expanding her mission with a new cookbook. Featuring 60 easy recipes, each made with just six ingredients and ready in 20 minutes or less, her cookbook is designed for effortless, delicious meals. To celebrate its launch, Ley—alongside Pensacola Mom Collective—will host a special event at Bodacious Bookstore and Café. Join her for a conversation about approachable cooking, refreshments, and a festive pre-parade atmosphere. Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe is located at 110 E. Intendencia St. in downtown Pensacola. For more details, visit eventbrite.com.

Krewe of Wrecks Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade

March 2

The Krewe of Wrecks will host the annual Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade on March 2 at Pensacola Beach. Attendees will enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery of the beach and the lively spirit of Mardi Gras. The parade kicks off at 2 pm, and the route runs along Via de Luna, from Avenida 10 to the Gulfside Pavilion and concludes at the Casino Beach Parking Lot. Following the parade, attendees are invited to join the post-parade party and awards ceremony at the Gulfside Pavilion. Early arrival is recommended as parking fills quickly. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit pensacolabeachmardigras.com.

French Quarter Fat Tuesday Celebration

March 4

Pensacola Mardi Gras and Seville Quarter are teaming up with Mardi Gras krewes for a French Quarter Fat Tuesday Celebration. This lively Mardi Gras party will include a low-country boil, food trucks, dancing and lots of partying. The Priscus Celebration, a longtime Pensacola Mardi Gras tradition, will kick off at 11 am with a Jazz Royalty Brunch featuring a Mardi Gras menu, bloody mary specials and more. At 2 pm, krewe royalty and elected officials will be present as local krewes take over every room inside the historic Seville Quarter, transforming it into the French Quarter for the day. An award ceremony and the coronation of the new King and Queen Priscus for 2025 will be held at 7 pm, with the end of the 2025 Mardi Gras season commemorated at midnight. The celebration will peak with a Mardi Gras drag show and dancing inside Phineas Phogg’s, while other entertainment throughout the complex continues throughout the night. For tickets and event details, visit pensacolamardigras.com.

Sun Belt Men’s & Women’s Basketball Conference Championships

March 4 to 10

Division I basketball has landed in Pensacola! The men’s and women’s Sun Belt Basketball Championship Tournament will be at the Pensacola Bay Center this month. For one week, watch some of the best athletes in college basketball face off for their chance to win big to make it to the 2025 NCAA Division I Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament. Throughout the week, enjoy high-action games, entertainment from team bands and cheer squads, Fan Fest, a dribble drive and more! The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E. Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Hot Glass Cold Brew: Sock Hop!

March 7

Take it back to the nifty fifties with Hot Glass Cold Brew: Sock Hop! Gather all your coolest cats and join First City Art Center for a bash with beautiful art and delicious brews. Full admission includes a handmade artisan glass or ceramic cup, entertainment for the evening and two complimentary craft beers (or wine) for adults 21+ from Pensacola Bay Brewery. Entertainment for the evening includes glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, a local art market, live music, kids activities, a gallery opening showcasing works from FCAC’s Gallery 1060 artists and more. Hot Glass Cold Brew runs from 5 to 9 pm at First City Art Center located at 1060 N. Guillemard St. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. For tickets and more information, visit firstcityart.org.

The Play That Goes Wrong @ PLT

March 7 to 16

The Play That Goes Wrong is a hilarious comedy that follows the antics of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt to stage a murder mystery play titled “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” However, everything that can go wrong goes wrong, leading to hilarious chaos on stage. Despite their best efforts, the amateur actors struggle to keep the show together, resulting in a side-splitting spectacle that leaves the audience in stitches from start to finish. See The Play That Goes Wrong at the Pensacola Little Theatre, located at 400 S. Jefferson St. For tickets and complete event details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

PSO’s Symphonic Spectacular

March 8

Some composers looked within for inspiration, while others looked up. Join us for Gustav Holst’s The Planets, evoking the astrological characterizations of our celestial neighbors. The program also includes Sukkot Through Orion’s Nebula by contemporary composer James Lee III, and Claude Debussy’s The Joyful Island, depicting a merry party arriving on the island known as the birthplace of Venus. Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s Symphonic Spectacular is hosted at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. The show begins at 7:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

The Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl

March 13

The Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl is Manna Food Pantries’ major annual fundraiser. This year’s event is slated for March 13 from 6 to 8 pm and will be held again at the Lou Ross Center of Pensacola State College. The event is ticketed, and each pre-sale ticket ($50 pre-sale; $60 day of) will provide 30 healthy meals for neighbors in need. Every ticket purchase includes a handcrafted bowl thrown by a local potter, as well as fare from 12 to 16 local restaurants/vendors. The event has raised more than $561,000 since its start to address food insecurity in our region. For tickets and more information, visit mannahelps. org/events/pick-a-bowl-fill-a-bowl.

Pensacola Opera presents Pagliacci

. . March 14 & 16

While preparing for a performance with their commedia dell’arte troupe, Canio becomes enraged when he discovers that his wife, Nedda, has been having an affair. She refuses to give her lover’s name, as their castmate Beppe urges them to get into costume. During the performance, Canio returns to his jealous rage, and Nedda’s young lover, Silvio, rushes the stage to save her—culminating in a very real tragedy. Featuring one of the most well-known arias of all time, “Vesti la giubba,” Pagliacci is a verismo masterpiece of dramatic proportion.

Pensacola Opera will be showing Pagliacci at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. The show begins at 7:30 pm on March 14 and 2 pm on March 16. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolaopera.com.

They Promised Her the Moon presented by Penarts

March 27 to 30

. .

This Women’s History Month, PenArts is presenting They Promised Her the Moon, at The Gordon Community Art Center. This inspiring performance tells the story of one Geraldyn “Jerrie” Cobb. In 1960, Life Magazine listed Cobb as one of only nine women in their “100 most important young people in the US,” yet today, her story remains virtually unknown. With the dream of becoming an astronaut, Jerrie Cobb trained for spaceflight, surpassing many of her male colleagues. Yet, just as she was headed to the next phase of training in Pensacola, her program was dropped because Congress decided that training women was a waste of money. They Promised Her the Moon is an inspiring, yet infuriating, tale of one woman’s sense of purpose and her efforts that eventually opened the door for women to become astronauts two decades later. For tickets and more information, visit penarts.org.

Ballet Pensaola’s Don Quixote

.......... March 28 to 30 & April 4 to 6

Take a trip to Barcelona, Spain with Don Quixote, a retired gentleman who has become obsessed with tales of chivalry and exploration. Join him as he encounters various adventures and misadventures with bandits, enchantresses and imaginary foes, all while trying to prove that true love really can conquer all. Ballet Pensacola will perform Don Quixote at the Pensacola Little Theatre, located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in Pensacola. Showings begin at 7 pm on March 28, 29, April 4 and 5, and at 1:30 pm on March 30 and April 6. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

PSO’s Strauss & Schubert

March 29

Pensacola native and Nashville Symphony Orchestra Principal Oboist, Titus Underwood, returns home to perform Richard Strauss’ Oboe Concerto. Underwood, who has played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, is the first Black oboist to receive tenure as a principal player in a major U.S. orchestra. The program also includes Strauss’ Serenade for Winds and Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, The Great. Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s Strauss & Schubert is hosted at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. The show begins at 7:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS PENSACOLA PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL FORCE PROTECTION EXERCISE

NavalAir Station (NAS) Pensacola service members and civilian employees conducted an active shooter and hostage training exercise on February 4 at the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) onboard the installation.

The exercise was part of Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 (CS-SC25), an annual, two-part force protection Commander, Naval Installations Command (CNIC) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC)-led exercise that is taking place February 3 through 14 at all continental U.S. Navy installations.

CS-SC25 is designed to enhance the training and readiness of Navy security personnel and better prepare Department of the Navy (DoN) personnel for potential force protection situations.

“Our security personnel operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” NAS Pensacola Installation Training Officer Erich Brinkmeir said. “Although this exercise is not held in response to any specific threat, it’s important that we train for a variety of realistic threats to enhance our personnel and force-wide readiness.”

Brinkmeir said that the exercise stress-tests NAS Pensacola’s ability to disseminate information and put into action individual response plans and security force responses while testing their ability to coordinate with local emergency responders and the community.

“We’re committed to safeguarding life, equipment and facilities and training like this helps us do that,” Brinkmeir said.

Brinkmeier said scenarios during Citadel Shield – the first week of the exercise, led by CNIC – included the active shooter drill and hostage scenario, which members of the NAS Pensacola Anti-Terrorism Training Team (ATTT) used to gauge readiness from responding NAS Pensacola Naval Security Forces personnel.

“Making sure that all of the different entities on base are aligned can help our Naval Security Forces personnel more effectively do their job,” Brinkmeier said. “Communication during any event is critical in ensuring the safety of our most valuable assets – the men and women here – which is crucial to our ongoing mission of supporting the commands which train the best

aviators, aircrewman, aviation maintenance personnel and cyber warfare specialists in the world.”

The second week of the annual Navy-wide exercise –Solid Curtain, led by USFFC – is centered around NAS Pensacola’s capability of exercising Navy Command and Control (C2) capabilities and evaluating the readiness and effectiveness of fleet and installation force protection programs.

The two-part approach is designed to enhance the readiness of U.S. Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners in order to protect life, equipment and facilities.

NAS Pensacola, referred to as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” is designed to support operational and training missions of tenant commands, including Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC), Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC), the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), Marine Aviation Training Support Groups (MATSG) 21 and 23 and is the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

STORY AND PHOTO BY GARRETT DIPUMA, NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA