Downtown Crowd, August 2023

— COOKING CLASSES —

Cast Iron Steaks Demonstration Dinner

Tuesday, August 8 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Get ready to indulge in a mouthwatering evening of sizzling steaks and culinary expertise.

$75 per person

Hands-On Crab Cake Class

Tuesday, August 22 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Join us for an exciting evening and learn how to craft the perfect crab cake.

$70 per person

Jambalaya Cooking Demonstration Dinner

Tuesday, August 15 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Explore an evening of the many amazing blended flavors in Louisiana Jambalaya.

$65 per person

Hands-On Pasta Making Class

Thursday, August 24 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Roll on over for recipes, tips and tricks of handmade pasta making in our most popular class.

$65 per person

Reservations requested 24 hours in advance. All reservations include a complimentary glass of wine or beer. Refunds available only with 48-hour notice. Classes that do not meet a minimum of 10 will be rescheduled and registration fees refunded immediately.

Morgan Cole, Editor

What’s your coffee order? Iced latte, Americano, flat white or espresso? To say that I love coffee would be an understatement. No matter the time of day, you won’t find me without my trusty mug of cold brew in hand! Not only do I find coffee to be delicious, I’m also highly intrigued by the science behind the roasting process. Lucky for me, we had the opportunity to catch up with local coffee roaster and owner of Alla Prima Coffee, Summer Sevi, to learn more about the craft and her plans for the opening of her new coffee shop and market in downtown Pensacola. Be sure to check out the full story on page 10 to learn more about what this local creative has planned for the new cafe space that’s scheduled to open in the coming month.

We’ve also brought you the scoop on some of the latest coffee shops and pop-up cafes to join the Pensacola coffee scene. However you like your cup of joe, one of these new spots is sure to satisfy your caffeine craving.

In this issue, you’ll also read about an immersive Van Gogh exhibit making its debut in Pensacola this month, a new and colorful exhibition on display at PMA called HotsyTotsy-Vroom-O-Rama and more.

As always, we hope you enjoy the read. Until next time,

Cheers

5 Questions With Creatives Blue House Curio

by Nicole Willis

Erin Clancy is a Pensacola local as well as the creator and owner of Blue House Curio. If you’ve attended an art or community market in Pensacola, you have likely seen the vibrantly colored Blue House Curio display. Clancy creates unique pieces of art, jewelry and home goods by encapsulating organic materials like flowers and seashells in resin.

With a long-lasting interest in art, Clancy studied fine art at Pensacola State College and went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. She established Blue House Curio in 2021.

Though you can find her work on display at various markets across the city, Clancy will be participating in the Palafox Market as an official vendor for the first time on August 5. Her pieces are also available for purchase at Garden Street Fabrics & Design in Pensacola and on her website bluehousecurio.com. Clancy takes custom orders via her website and email hi@bluehousecurio.com.

How did you become interested in art and creating, and how would you describe your work?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in art. I get emotional just thinking about it. Creating has always been something that I’ve done to express myself through the tough times and the best times. During the height of the pandemic, I was churning out new art constantly just to cope. That period of time is where my love for resin came from. The media that I most often use are resin and flowers. I used to always have trouble describing what type of art I created until my husband and I coined the terms “floral flare” and “whimsyware.” No two pieces are alike.

Much of your work features live flowers. Can you tell me about your process with the flowers?

Oftentimes, flowers are donated to us from various sources around town. I then determine whether I will press the flowers or dry them as a whole. Drying flowers takes up to four weeks. After that, the fun begins. If it’s a custom order, we begin a design

process with the client. If it’s an art piece that I created, I let each flower’s color and shape dictate what mold, bezel or design we can use. Finally, the tough part comes. I mix the resin, use a vacuum chamber to release the bubbles and then pour. It can take days and weeks to pour each layer. Patience is key throughout the entire process. It’s not for the faint of heart.

Tell me about the different types of pieces you create.

I create real flower earrings, bracelets and rings, as well as other small wares like magnets, keychains and hairclips. I also do larger pieces such as home decor items, decorative acessories and commissioned pieces. All of our flowers are real, the jewelry is hypoallergenic and every single piece is unique—as no two flowers are the same. Sometimes we are graced with other types of curious media from our clients, such as ethically sourced bugs, seashells and dried fruit. As long as no moisture is present, I can and will try to preserve it in resin.

Tell me about your creative process and what all goes into creating one of your pieces.

I call my creative process “painting with flowers.” I try to be as thoughtful as I can with each flower and where it will be placed within a piece. As I said before, I let each flower’s color and shape determine the composition. Sometimes arranging the flowers will take time but I want my clients to know that I am mindful of each and every flower I use. After I have my composition determined, I then begin pouring the resin. Sometimes sanding comes next, and usually a top coat is needed. Then voila: a piece is complete!

What are some of your most popular items, and is there a specific piece or design that you are receiving a lot of requests for?

My most popular commissioned items are my wedding commissions. Most of the time with these commissions, I create three to five designs and I let my client pick their favorite design. My more popular market items are my rainbow pieces. My rainbow pieces are my most

prized pieces because they encapsulate and symbolize hope, pride, and not to mention, a wide variety of flowers. Many clients that come to my booth at a market have a story about a rainbow and how they connect with them.

Product Photography by Sarah Coleman

Photography

Facebook: Blue House Curio

Instagram: @bluehousecurio

Beyond Van Gogh

The Immersive Experience

by Molly Callahan

The highly anticipated touring exhibition, Beyond Van GoGh: The ImmersIVe experIence, will be making its debut in pensacola this month. Beyond Van Gogh is a unique art exhibition that allows viewers to insert themselves into Van Gogh’s artwork.

This three-dimensional virtual show is the country’s largest immersive experience, occupying more than 30,000 square feet of space. Beyond Van Gogh travels across the United States to display Van Gogh’s remarkable works in new and spectacular ways. Inside the exhibition, guests will find massive images of Van Gogh’s work swirling on the walls, creating a transporting narrative experience.

Exhibition guests will begin their journey in the Education Room, where they will learn historical and biographical information about Van Gogh and his works. Next, guests will move into the immersive portion of the exhibit, where they will have the opportunity to view more than 300 pieces of his Post-Impressionist work. Guests can expect to see the familiar favorites of Van Gogh, like The Starry Night and Terrace of a Café at Night, as well as Sunflowers.

Not only is Beyond Van Gogh a thrilling visual experience, but sound is a pivotal part of the experience as well. The art is accompanied by music from different genres, styles and time periods, proving that Van Gogh’s art can coexist with music from any time period. The music adds an additional layer to the immersive exhibition.

Beyond Van Gogh combines the timeless artwork of the well-known artist with the extraordinary feats of modern technology. Art historian and consultant to the creative team behind the immersive experience, Fanny Curtat, breaks down the exhibition: “This experience is about blending cutting-edge technology with Van Gogh’s body of work so that the

audience can literally set foot into the paintings themselves, be part of them and experience them in a whole new way.”

Even if you have seen Van Gogh’s artwork before, you will still want to experience the immersive exhibition. Beyond Van Gogh is different from viewing Van Gogh’s paintings at a fine arts museum because instead of viewing the art from an outside perspective, guests are invited to step into the frame and take in the art with not just their eyes but their other senses as well. The scale of the experience is so large it changes the perspectives, as if the viewer is participating in the scenes rather than just spectating.

“Nothing will ever replace the magic of an original Van Gogh hanging on a museum wall, there’s an aura to it that’s just unmistakable,” Curtat said. “But there’s something so phenomenal about being able to walk into one! The scale of the project alone makes it a very different experience, it changes not only the point of view, but it also allows the audience to see the details of the brushstrokes, the way he puts colors side by side without truly blending them, etc. You also take it in with your whole body: you can follow the light and the brushstrokes. Children get to run around, dance and twirl as they wish! The whole thing feels alive and dynamic.”

Even if you’re extremely familiar with Van Gogh’s art, you are guaranteed to take away something new from the immersive experience. Not only will guests get a fresh perspective on Van Gogh’s work, but the experience offers a peek into another side of Van Gogh himself. There are many things to anticipate with Beyond Van Gogh, and Curtat explains that she is most looking forward to the guests getting to see another side of the famous artist that is not often discussed.

“I’m excited for people to see that there is much more to Van Gogh than the ear-cutting incident,” she explained. “He tends to be remembered for

the darkness in his life but you don’t see this darkness when you look at his work: it’s rather about finding ways out of it. It’s about light, the power of color, the healing quality of nature, the therapeutic power of art, etc., and I’m excited for people to experience that.”

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was produced by Paquin Entertainment Group from Winnipeg, and created by Normal Studio based in Montreal, and it is sure to be an experience that you won’t forget.

“The response to this experience has been amazing and reactions to it have been incredibly varied,” Curtat said. “I’ve seen people cry while others smile the whole time, some people prefer to sit and take it all in while others move, dance and twirl. As a whole, it’s been phenomenal.”

The immersive experience is family-friendly, and everyone is encouraged to go. “This show is truly for everyone: whether you know a lot about Van

Gogh or a little,” Curtat explained. “If you’re already familiar with his work, then it’s great. It’s about the fantasy of being inside the work you know and love. If you don’t know anything about him, it’s such a great instruction and a fantastic way of discovering his work.”

There will be a large gift shop on site for guests wanting to bring a piece of the experience back home with them. The exhibition will be available for viewing August 5 through September 9 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds inside building 6. Tickets for this immersive art experience are now on sale starting at $28.99 and can be purchased online at vangoghpensacola.com.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has sold almost five million tickets globally. For tickets and complete exhibit details, visit vangoghpensacola.com.

The Art of the Craft

by Nicole Willis

Alla Prima Coffee Roaster Expands with New Cafe & Market

Since September 2020, Sevi has been roasting and providing residents and businesses throughout Pensacola and beyond with her freshly-roasted artisan coffee. Recently, Sevi has decided to take her coffee craft to the next level by brewing and serving her micro-roasted coffee for the Pensacola community. After years of aspiring to one day open her own cafe, Sevi’s dream has now become a reality. Alla Prima will no longer serve as just a coffee roastery but will expand to include a coffee house with drive-thru service and a mini marketplace.

Tucked away in the back of a quaint building on Garden Street, the microroastery previously shared its property with Almost Vegan Soul Cafe. When the restaurant closed at the start of the year, Sevi was given the opportunity to take over the front portion of the building.

“I found out that the front was going to be available in January,” Sevi explained. “At this point, I definitely wanted to open up a coffee shop, but I hadn’t yet planned anything. Since I had been occupying a space in the building for my coffee roasting business, the owner of the building gave me the first right of refusal when the vegan cafe eventually moved out. I didn’t think too long as there were a lot of people interested in the space and I already knew that this [expanding the business] was something I wanted to do. The space opening was the perfect situation. I just grabbed it.”

Not only does Sevi have years of roasting experience, but she also knows the ins and outs of the industry. Her passion for roasting blossomed when she and her then-husband ran a micro-roastery and several cafes in Washington D.C. Her husband primarily roasted, while she ran the front of the house. As coowner of the roastery, Sevi learned the craft of artisan roasting.

Roasting quality coffee is quite a complex process. Sevi puts a lot of time, energy and patience into every batch she roasts. “There’s a lot of labor involved in roasting, she explained. “None of the process is automated, it’s all manual. It’s like being an artisan baker; you have to spend a lot of time monitoring it and adjusting temperature and airflow.”

Summer Sevi iS an educator, profeSSional artiSt, experienced artiSan coffee roaSter and the owner of alla prima coffee roaSter. She is combining her love of art and the craft of coffee roasting to expand her business and launch a creative new cafe in the heart of downtown Pensacola.

Photos by Morgan Cole

After learning and gaining experience in the D.C. roastery, Sevi returned to Pensacola and began teaching elementary art in the Escambia County School District. As a teacher, Sevi would spend her days in a classroom and her evenings in the roastery. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and changed education, Sevi turned her focus to roasting full time. Since then she has begun roasting and packaging her coffee to be shipped out throughout Pensacola and all across the world. Alla Prima’s bagged coffee can currently be found at the Palafox Market, online, or at several local vendors including Bailey’s Produce & Nursery, The Farm and more. Restaurants such as Jitterbug and Lamonte Gelato also serve Alla Prima by the cup. Soon, guests will be able to have their cup of coffee and take some home too!

The past few months have been full of renovations and redesign as the team prepares to open their new venture to the public. Like with any new business, there have been no shortage of delays. “We’ve had some things that have delayed us,” Sevi explained. “We’ve had to wait for various constructions to happen. We had to get new drywall put up, get a plumber over and wait for somebody to paint. It’s been a few months of waiting for the work to be done so that we can fully occupy the space.”

Feeling eager to open even amidst the delays, Sevi is planning for a slow and progressive opening of the new space. The first part of Alla Prima’s expansion is the addition of a drive-through window. The window will be open and available to customers before the cafe’s interior is open to the public. Alla Prima will offer customers a limited menu with several coffee and food items through the drive-through window. Customers are encouraged to order ahead online at allaprimacoffee.com to avoid long wait times and pick up their order at the window. Sevi hopes to have the drive-through window open for service within the next couple of weeks.

The second part of Alla Prima’s expansion will include the opening of its new indoor cafe, which is on track to open at a later date. “It’s all slowly but surely coming together. The pickup window will take about a week to two weeks

[to be open]; it’s almost there,” Sevi said. “I’m really hoping that the cafe is open by the end of the summer. Things have just been taking longer with it.”

The indoor cafe will feature an expanded menu with even more food and drink options. The cafe will serve small bites such as sandwiches, salads, pastries and charcuterie-style snack plates. Alla Prima plans to pour many delicious espresso-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, as well as cold brew, matcha, Italian sodas, cascara tea and more. The cascara tea is Alla Prima’s homemade blend of the husks of coffee cherries, which results in a light fruity taste when brewed.

There will also be a grab-and-go section inside the cafe where customers can pick up freshly-prepared meals and snacks as well as specialty bottled drinks and farm-fresh produce. Sevi hopes to be able to offer a small selection of produce from local farmers. “It’s kind of like a nano market. Everything will be handmade, locally-made, made from scratch and as close to the source as we can get it,” Sevi said.

In addition to the food and beverage offerings, the indoor cafe will also serve as a marketplace for local artists and artisans. “We’re opening not only a cafe that serves food and specialty coffee, but also an art gallery with art for sale, as well as local artisan goods,” Sevi explained.

As an artist herself, Sevi wants to bring in a variety of local artists to showcase and sell their work. She is seeking out a lot of two-dimensional art to decorate the walls of the cafe in a fun and unique way. Once the cafe is up and running, Sevi hopes to eventually offer art classes as well. Some of the classes would include paint-and-sip style classes for adults and after-school lessons for kids.

Despite the new venture, Alla Prima will still be offering all of the same products that they have online and in stores throughout Pensacola. To stay up to date with Alla Prima’s expansion, follow @allaprimacoffee on Instagram or Facebook. If you are an artist or vendor interested in selling your work or goods in the new coffee shop, please email contact@allaprimacoffee.com.

Photo ©Save the Manatee Club

Coffee Culture

Pensacola’s Robust Specialty Coffee Scene

by Morgan Cole

From brick and mortars to pop-ups and mobile cafes, the specialty coffee scene is brewing up new roasts and tastes that everyone’s buzzing about. With several new coffee shops opening their doors this summer in the Pesancola area, there are now even more options for a sweet caffeine kick. Whether you stop by a coffee shop for an occasional sip or swing through the drive-through on the way to the office, coffee shops are an essential part of our daily lives. While we may be loyal to our local favorites, it is always nice to switch things up every once in a while and try something new. Next time you’re craving a cup, consider giving one of these new local shops a try.

Bear Fruit Bowls & Coffee

Originally from Miami, Florida, this precious family of four won over Pensacola Beach last spring with the opening of their flagship store, Bear Fruit Bowls & Coffee, located on the Pensacola Pier in March of 2022. Today, their business is thriving with a new permanent food truck location at 260 S. Tarragona Street in downtown Pensacola. Founders and company owners, Ryan and Alexis Ford, brought their beach culture, favorite coffee and refreshing acai bowls to the island, and there’s been a line out the door ever since. Their business was built off the idea of nourishing people’s bodies and souls by providing a space for people to “refuel, recharge and be encouraged.” After seeing how well their first business concept was working, Ryan and Alexis wanted to bring the brand to more people, which meant it was time to expand. Part of expanding means selecting good leaders, which led the couple to meeting Sam and Jackie Cambron, who will be serving as business partners that own and operate the new downtown food truck location.

The Cambron’s plan to utilize the same menu as the Pensacola Beach location, including the wide variety of acai bowl options and coffee selections from nearby Amavida Coffee Roasters, but with a new customer base in Pensacola’s historic district that neighbors the YMCA.

Situated in a quaint courtyard at the corner of Government and Tarragona streets, the small food truck is a remake of an antique type of Citroën truck that was used to deliver glass bottles of milk across France.

Their acai bowl bar is lined with fresh ingredients that make for a sweet and refreshing treat without all of the guilt. Their bowls make the experience at Bear Fruit, and their coffee is the cherry on top. The Coconut Cold Brew is a must-try drink that is packed with a caffeine kick!

The new Bear Fruit Bowls & Coffee downtown location is open Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm. For daily specials and to view the menu, visit bearfruitbowls.com. More updates and information can also be found on the Bear Fruit Bowls & Coffee social media pages.

Over Poured Coffee

Led by local husband-and-wife duo, Zach and Jess Smith, this roadside “coffee hut” is one of the latest pop-ups to join the Pensacola coffee scene. The couple launched their mobile coffee hut in April just outside of Hot Spot BBQ in East Hill.

When it comes to their business model, the Smiths keep things as simple as possible, with an assembly line of pour-over coffee machines ready to go and a back-up pot of traditional drip coffee for customers who don’t have time to wait.

Thanks to support from the owners of Hot Spot Barbecue, who generously offered them use of their parking lot during the morning hours, the Smith’s have been able to fulfill a dream that they have been holding onto for nearly eight years.

Although it typically takes around three to four minutes to brew a fresh batch of pourover coffee, customers don’t seem to mind the wait. According to co-owner, Zach Smith, they have been selling more of their pour-over coffee than anything else. Each of the Smith’s handcrafted coffees are brewed using freshly roasted beans from Pensacola-based coffee roaster, Potter’s Coffee Company.

Since opening, the couple’s coffee kiosk continues to have customers lining up daily for a taste of their freshly brewed pour-overs. Over Poured Coffee is located at 901 E. La Rua Street and is open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 9:30 am. Visit the Over Poured Coffee Facebook page at @overpouredcoffee for more details.

Covington Mercantile & Coffee Co.

It’s all about coffee and community at this new family-owned and operated coffee shop in Milton. Celebrating its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony in July, Covington Mercantile & Coffee Co. is the latest coffee shop to open its doors in the Milton community.

The owners and shop’s namesake, Sid and Flax Covington, have been dreaming up the shop through decades of cross-country road trips with their children as they tried out different coffee shops along the way. Though Sid Covington has spent the past 25 years serving with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, coffee shops have always been a part of his family’s tradition. Over the years, he and his family had spent quite a bit of time brainstorming how their coffee shop would look if they ever opened one of their own.

“We had a young man in our church pass away that was very dear to our family. I think that kind of woke all of us up a little bit, realizing that we’re not always promised tomorrow. So, we thought, why are we waiting on our dreams? Let’s go for it. So, I think that’s what really inspired us to open this place,” Flax Covington explained. The shop doubles as half café, half mercantile, where they sell a variety of items made by local vendors, several of which are Palafox Market regulars. Some of the items featured in the shop include handmade jewelry and accessories, local art and pottery, furniture, home decor, candles and soaps, as well as boutique and resale clothing sections.

“My daughter and I are working on putting together a closet of gently used clothes for resale just to have a place where people can come and get some really nice outfits that are very inexpensive,” Flax Covington said. “We wanted something you just can’t find anywhere.”

The specialty drinks featured on the menu share special value to the Covington family, such as the “Missing Peace,” a hot chocolate-based beverage missing the caffeine, which is a tribute to an organization in Laurel, Mississippi, that provides shelter and healing to human trafficking victims.

Aside from the house specialties, the shop offers all the coffee shop classics of drip coffee, espresso, mochas and lattes, Americanos and cappuccinos brewed with beans from Pensacola-based coffee roaster, De Luna Coffee International. There are also options for non-coffee drinkers, including plant-based energy drinks, smoothies and teas. The Covingtons also bake their pastries in-house, including cookies, coffee cake, orange cranberry bundt cakes and cake pops.

Covington Coffee Co. is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm, with the mercantile portion of the shop open from 10 am to 5 pm. Both stores are closed on Sundays. Online ordering is available. Visit the Covington Mercantile & Coffee Co. Facebook page for details and to check out the menu.

PJ’s Coffee

In July, this New Orleans-based coffee franchise finally made its way to Pensacola, with a location opening at 85 W. Airport Boulevard in July. Founded in New Orleans in 1978, the franchise has grown to include locations across the country, with Pensacola serving as its first Panhandle location.

PJ’s specializes in direct trade coffee, award-winning Original Cold Brew™ iced coffee and granita frozen coffee beverages. Their iced coffees are brewed daily using a special cold-drip process that protects the flavor and strength of the beans, while producing a coffee that is two-thirds less acidic.

The shop also offers a complete menu of espresso-based beverages, flavored coffees, a variety of breakfast sandwiches and fresh-baked pastries and desserts, including PJ’s beloved fried French beignets.

New Orleans native and Pensacola resident, Michele Carlton, is the owner and operator of the new franchise location. “I’m overjoyed to bring a taste of my hometown and the first PJ’s Coffee to Pensacola,” Carlton said. “I’ve always wanted to open a coffee shop, so this is a dream come true because it allows me to share a part of myself with the community. I am excited to provide people with everything we have to offer, including our famous fluffy beignets that are perfectly coated in powdered sugar. With just one bite of these famous New Orleans pastries, you’d think you’ve just been teleported to the second line of a Mardi Gras parade.”

PJ’s utilizes 100 percent Arabica coffee, sourcing 14 origin coffees from Sumatra Ethiopia, Colombia and Papua, New Guinea. The company prides itself on ethical sourcing methods and sustainability. Online ordering is available online through their website as well as on the PJ’s Coffee App. Visit pjscoffee.com to check out the full menu and for hours of operation.

The Multi-Layered Experience of Hotsy - Totsy - Vrooom - O - Rama

Traditionally, art seen in a museum is viewed as untouchable, venerated and strictly created for the interpretation of the audience. It often references a specific style and occupies a specific point in time that is valuable in its one-of-a-kind, singularity. A new exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) by House Pencil Green is challenging all of that.

THE EXHIBIT

House Pencil Green is the interdisciplinary studio of Joseph Herring and Amy Ruddick. Their exhibition at PMA, Hotsy-Totsy-Vrooom-O-Rama, is part of a body of work in which the two explore connections between the ‘art of the carny’ and the ‘carnivalesque tendencies of the artist.’ Through an examination of various approaches to both vernacular and fine art production, performance and display; and through a series of sculptures, graphics, videos, performances and workshops; the installation at the PMA will change, expand and contort for the duration of the exhibition, reaching its final form only upon conclusion. Visitors are encouraged to return during the course of the exhibition to note its progress, to view the installation as a time based medium and to reach conclusions about its meaning after experiencing the beginning, middle and end.

While this particular style of exhibit may be new to Northwest Florida, this method is one that has been executed by performance artists in the 1920’s and films in the 1970s. Herring & Ruddick’s Hotsy-Totsy-Vrooom-O-Rama is a work in the tradition of Alexander Calder’s Circus and Jacques Tati’s Parade, both in terms of form as well as content. Like Calder’s Circus, this exhibition is part of an ever-developing work, changing over time, different each time the piece is exhibited, influenced by the social as well as the architectural situation of the latest venue.

In the same way that Tati’s Parade builds content through performances, the work done in Hotsy-Totsy-Vrooom-O-Rama also takes place over the course of the exhibition. These performances compliment the visual vibrancy of the show and will culminate into the more ‘finished’ and ‘final’ iteration of this installation.

Courtesy of Pensacola Museum of Art

THE ARTISTS THE EXPERIENCE

Amy Ruddick was awarded a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Her background is in architecture, environmental design and exhibition design, which have a strong influence on the House Pencil Green installation art as well as on her set design for videos and on the construction of props and sculpture.

Joseph Herring is a Professor of Art & Design for the College of Art, Social Sciences, and Humanities at the University of West Florida (UWF). He also attended the ArtCenter College of Design where he earned his Master’s Degree in fine arts. In 2008, Joseph and Amy left California for Pensacola and brought their experience, creativity and vision to Northwest Florida to create House Pencil Green.

House Pencil Green’s mission includes paradigm-shifting, genre-bending and mentoring young designers and artists in the process. The studio’s performances and videos have been a part of national and international exhibitions, festivals and events, including Art’s Birthday, High Desert Test Sites, Low Lives 4 and P3+. Since 2008, UWF students in the Graphic Design undergraduate program have been able to participate in all of these exhibitions.

“Joseph Herring and Amy Ruddick are extremely creative and beloved local artists,” Director of Pensacola Museum of Art Nick Croghan said. “As active members of the Pensacola community, they have inspired and mentored many emerging performers, sculptors, designers and time-based media artists. Herring and Ruddick’s entertaining humor, curious exhibits and thought-provoking performances illuminate the evolution and limitless possibilities of their interdisciplinary approach. We are honored to be able to showcase their work and unique explorations of contemporary sculpture and theater.”

A series of Peculiar Pop-Up Performative Events with House Pencil Green will take place on the final four consecutive Thursdays of the exhibition. These Hotsy-Totsy-VrooomO-Rama Concept Carnival events will include: The Roller-Coaster-Box-Truck-DragRace-Tournament-of-Champions; the Hair-City-Fair-Queen-Beauty-Pageant; the PushButton-Performance; the Electric-Light-Parade of Box-Truck-Dekotora; the Box-TruckRoller-Skate-Demolition-Derby; the Battle of the Cardboard Bands; the Surprise Corner and the New-Fall-Lines-of-Froze-Toes Fashion Parade.

Peculiar Pop-Up Performances will be held August 24 & 31 and September 7 & 14 from 6 pm to 7 pm.

A Closing Reception for Hotsy-Totsy-Vroom-O-Rama will also be hosted Friday, September 15 from 5 to 7 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Other exhibition events will also free and open to the public and appropriate for all ages.

Hotsy-Totsy-Vrooom-O-Rama will be on display June 9 through September 17 at the Pensacola Museum of Art located at 407 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm.

For more information about the exhibit, upcoming events and ticketing, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

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What We’re Binging This Month

Black Mirror Season 6 Streaming on Netflix

by Nicole Willis

Netflix’s award-winning dystopian drama series, Black Mirror, is back for its sixth season, which premiered in June. Created by Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror ponders the potential outcomes of the rapid growth of powerful modern technology. As an anthology series, every episode feels like an individual short film, each with its own storyline and cast. The episodes are action-packed with unpredictable plot twists, uneasy storylines, realistic CGI and compelling characters.

Black Mirror has been touted as a modern-day Twilight Zone, as both shows follow the same pattern of a chilling, stand-alone story in each episode. The shows are similar in this aspect, but different in their themes and overall plots. Every episode of Black Mirror provides some sort of underlying commentary on society, usually focusing on the downsides of technology—from its overwhelming power to human addiction and reliance on new tech.

The new season kicks off with my favorite episode of the new season, “Joan is Awful.” The formidable plot follows a woman whose life is completely changed after learning that a popular streaming company has made a TV show eerily similar to her life, mimicking her every move, and there is nothing she can do about it. Black Mirror is filled with disturbing speculative fiction that makes you question the world around you.

How I Met Your Father Seasons 1 & 2 Streaming on Hulu

by Darien Hardy

One of the most beloved sitcoms of the 2000s has returned, but with a slightly different name. Season 1 of How I Met Your Father (HIMYF) first premiered in January 2022 serving as the follow-up to the original hit series, How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). This story follows Sophie (Hilary Duff), a doe-eyed, hopeless romantic Manhattanite who, along with her close-knit gang of friends, is striving to figure out who she is, what she wants out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limited options. The show opens to a future version of Sophie, played by Kim Cattrall, in the year 2050. Sophie has called her son, a disembodied voice on the other end of a video call, to tell him the detailed story of how she met his father. The audience is catapulted back to the year 2022, as present-day Sophie is on her way to a first date after 87 failed Tinder matches. She gets in an Uber driven by Jesse (Chris Lowell), who fans will find out reflects the Robin to Sophie’s Ted, a relationship from the original HIMYM series. Along for the ride is Jesse’s best friend Sid (Suraj Sharma), who, along with Jesse’s adopted sister Ellen (Tien Tran), will soon join the core friend group with Sophie’s best friend Valentina (Francia Raisa) and Valentina’s new British boyfriend Charlie (Tom Ainsley).

The show makes up for the lack of constant charming and witty comedy that HIMYM was known for with a more inclusive core group, sweet storylines, and a plethora of HIMYM Easter eggs and cameos.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Seasons 1 & 2 Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

by Molly Callahan

Based on the young adult novels by Jenny Han, the second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty recently premiered on Amazon Prime Video in July. The love triangle between Belly Conklin and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, takes a dramatic turn when the Fishers suffer a tragic loss. The stakes get higher when the Fishers’ beach house on Cousins Beach is threatened to be lost.

The line between friendship and love hangs in the balance as Belly and the Fisher brothers work together to try to save the beach house. Only adding to the tension, Belly is faced with her feelings for both Conrad and Jeremiah, and she has to choose between them. Though new episodes are still being released, the entire season will be available to stream August 18. Until then, the big question remains: who does Belly end up with?

If you’re looking for an entertaining coming-of-age story full of romance and heartbreak, The Summer I Turned Pretty is the show for you. Though the books are appropriate for a younger teen audience, the show is rated 16+, so you might want to check out the content warnings before you start binging.

AUGUST COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Schedule

August Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium. For tickets and information, visit milb.com.

August 1, 2, 3 & 4 at 6:35 pm - Biloxi Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos

August 5 at 6:05 pm - Biloxi Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos

August 6 at 4:05 pm - Biloxi Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos

August 15, 16, 17 & 18 at 6:35 pm - Montgomery Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos

August 19 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos

August 20 at 4:05 pm - Montgomery Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos

August 29, 30 & 31 at 6:35 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts

Blue Angels Practice Dates

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The world-famous Blue Angels can be seen practicing over the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola select days throughout the year. Department of Defense identification cardholders and their guests (active duty service members, retirees, and their families) can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum to watch the Blue Angels practice. The gates will open at 9:30 am. The practice flight demonstrations can also be viewed outside of NAS Pensacola including Fort Pickens, boat cruises, and various points throughout downtown. The Blue Angels will take off around 10:30 am and the practices last for about 55 minutes. Practice schedules are subject to change.

The Saenger Theatre Summer Movie Series

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August 5-26

This summer, the Pensacola Saenger Theatre presents its Comedy Classics Summer Movie Series. Every week from August 5 to 26, the theatre will play a classic comedy movie. Weird Science will play on August 5, The Breakfast Club on August 12, National Lampoon’s Animal House on August 18, Shaun of the Dead on August 24 and The Big Lebowski on August 26. All movies start at 7 pm and doors open at 6 pm. Tickets to all shows are $5. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com

Bored Teachers @ Pensacola Saenger

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Gallery Night Pensacola

August 6

The biggest entertainment platform for teachers in the world, Bored Teachers, presents the funniest teacher-comedians in the world all on one stage. Their hilarious skits have amassed hundreds of millions of views on the internet, and they’re all joining comic forces on the stage for a night of laughter you do not want to miss. Put that red pen down, call your teacher besties and come burn off some of that stress this school year has been dumping on you. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. The show starts at 7 pm and doors open at 6 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Barkcuterie & Charcuterie

August 13

WolfGang Pensacola and Odd Colony Brewing Company are teaming up to host a “build your own ‘barkcuterie’ and charcuterie event” to celebrate the love of dogs, good food and craft beer. Snag tickets to indulge a canine companion with a specially curated selection of dog-safe foods. Attendees will also create their own charcuterie board by choosing from an assortment of human-friendly cheeses, meats, bread, fruits, veggies and more. Elevate the experience with a selection of craft beers from Odd Colony Brewing Company. All boards will include a variety of safe and delicious foods. The event will be hosted at Odd Colony Brewing Company at 260 N Palafox Street. There are two time slots available for you and your pup to participate in this event–1 to 3 pm and 3:30 to 5:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com.

PSO Artel Gallery Performance .

August 17

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On Thursday August 17, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will perform a small show at Artel Gallery in downtown Pensacola. Join a small ensemble of PSO musicians as they perform a selection of music inspired by Artel Gallery’s visual art exhibition, “Playlist.” Admission is free, with no tickets necessary. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. Artel Gallery is located at 223 Palafox Place. For more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

August 18

Gallery Night is an all-ages, community, arts and cultural event on the third Friday of each month from 5 pm to 9 pm. The unique monthly themes set the tone for each event’s art, performers, musical performance stages, and activities that are sure to please. This month’s theme is “Wonder Years.” Gallery Night will host over 60 local artisans at this month’s event. Don’t miss Gallery Night’s new market zone—located at Government Street across from Plaza Ferdinand. Participating local bars, restaurants, shops and galleries will remain open late, for attendees to shop or dine. Gallery Night is hosted in downtown Pensacola at 13 Palafox Place. For more event details, visit gallerynightpensacola.org.

Little Wars @ PLT

August 18-26

The acclaimed all-female drama, Little Wars, will be performed at the Pensacola Little Theatre. A unique dinner party unites celebrated writers Agatha Christie, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker, Gertrude Stein, and Alice B. Toklas... along with a mysterious guest! Set during World War II, this gripping play offers a thrilling blend of historical drama and unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Little Wars is written by Steven Carl McCasland and directed by Billy Buff. A variety of showtimes are available from August 18-26. The Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 South Jefferson Street. For tickets, showtimes and more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

The Menzingers at Vinyl Music Hall

August 20

Philadelphia-based punk band, The Menzingers, will be stopping by the Vinyl Music Hall along with special guests Prince Daddy & the Hyena and Mercy Union. Since forming in 2006, The Menzingers have shown their strength as rough-and-tumble storytellers, turning out songs equally rooted in frenetic energy and lifelike detail. On their new album Hello Exile, the band take their lyrical narrative to a whole new level and share their reflections on moments from the past and present while maintaining the irrepressible spirit that’s always defined the band. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. The Vinyl Music Hall is located at 2 S Palafox Street. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

Pensacola Touch-a-Truck & Career Expo

Pensacola Touch-a-Truck & Career Expo is the largest gathering of trucks, tractors, heavy machinery, military, police, fire and EMS apparatuses Pensacola has seen. The Touch-a-Truck expo will provide children, teens and adults the opportunity to learn about and interact with the many individuals who build, protect and serve the Gulf Coast. The Touch-a-Truck & Career Expo is hosted in partnership with Pensacola State College to provide funds toward trade scholarships for those who need them in our local community. This family-friendly event will also feature a variety of activities for kids and adults such as face painting, bounce houses and food trucks for all. The expo is hosted from 11 am to 4 pm at Community Maritime Park in downtown Pensacola. Admission is $5. For information, visit eventeny.com/events/ touchatruckcareerexpo-4473.

KC and the Sunshine Band @ Pensacola Saenger

August 27

KC and the Sunshine Band are still as widely popular today as they were when they first danced into the music scene 50 years ago. Harry Wayne Casey—KC for short—developed a unique fusion of R&B and funk, with a hint of a Latin percussion groove, giving us an impressive string of hits like Get Down Tonight and That’s The Way (I Like It). Today, KC and the Sunshine Band play over 100 live shows annually, circling the US, Europe, Australia and South America. This year KC will celebrate 50 years of performing around the world and will be stopping by the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. The show starts at 7 pm and doors open at 6 pm. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

MILITARYMATTERS AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

CALIFORNIA NATIVE, NORWICH UNIVERSITY NROTC GRAD RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS OF NAVAL SERVICE

plane crash, Capt. Moreno stepped in,” said Garvin. “Put simply, but accurately, he was the right human at the right time. His relationship with the Gold Star families, his calls to staff in times of joy and sorrow, and his meticulousness with evaluations, awards, and officer packages are the moments that show the depth of his character.”

Moreno, who assumed command of NASC in June 2020, oversaw the training of more than 4,400 Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and international flight students and flight surgeons; finalized the transition from Aviation Preflight Indoctrination and Introductory Flight Screening programs to the unified Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation program; oversaw the development of the Student Naval Aviator Junior Officer Course; and much more.

Moreno, a naval aviator since 1996, offered one last piece of advice to the many NASC students in attendance.

“Be proud of serving your country,” said Moreno. “Carry on the legacy that is uniquely yours. Above all else, remember that integrity is the foundation of everything we do, and all business should be conducted with professionalism, respect, ownership and humility. Strive to be the best version of yourself.”

Moreno closed the ceremony by thanking everyone who helped him get to today and described what he will remember most about his naval career.

Anative of South Gate, California, and 1993 graduate of Norwich University’s Navy ROTC program retired from the Navy during a change-of-command and retirement ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, July 20.

The U.S. Navy and Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) bid farewell to Capt. Edgardo Moreno after 30 years of naval service.

“What truly sets Capt. Moreno apart is his character,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, president, Naval War College, who was the guest speaker and served with Moreno during his tenure as commander, Naval Education and Training Command’s (NETC). “A man of unparalleled positivity and genuine empathy, he wore his heart on his sleeve.”

Garvin also praised Moreno for his leadership during the difficult events that impacted NASC during his tenure.

“Whether it was handling the aftermath of the tragedy of the loss of three shipmates on 6 December 2019, or when NASC tragically lost two senior leaders in a

“I am going to remember the people and all the personalities. How everybody has been kind and respectful to me,” said Moreno. “The camaraderie, camaraderie is very unique to naval aviation. That is something that is going to stick with me for the rest of my life.”

As a career helicopter pilot, Moreno commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HS) 11 and USS San Antonio (LPD 17). He also deployed with HS-14, Carrier Air Wing 8, and HS-3. He participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Telic, Enduring Freedom, Copper Dune and Odyssey Lightning, and Exercise Noble Shirley.

Ashore, Moreno served as a fleet replacement instructor at HS-10; helicopter shore detailer at Navy Personnel Command; political-military planner at Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Directorate for Western Hemisphere, J5, Plans and Policy, Homeland Defense Branch, Defense Support of Civil Authorities; and interim associate dean of academics at Joint Forces Staff College.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Moreno plans to remain in Pensacola and hopes to continue developing future leaders at the University of West Florida.

PHOTO BY PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS ZACHARY MELVIN

STORY BY JAMES STOCKMAN, NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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