DOWNTOWN CROWD | AUGUST 2024
Morgan Cole, Editor
Summer is upon us, and with it comes the perfect excuse to quench your thirst and tantalize your taste buds with a cold, refreshing craft beer. Fortunately, our lovely city is home to more than a dozen craft breweries—each offering up their own tasty brew perfect for summer sipping!
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, grilling in the backyard or enjoying a sunset on the beach, there’s a local brew for every mood, activity and taste. In the spirit of the summer season, we’ve rounded up a refreshing selection of locally produced canned and bottled beers perfect for all of your summer adventures.
We’ve also brought you details on a new concert series being presented by The Handlebar at the Community Maritime Park on August 10. The outdoor concert series will kick off with the 20 Years of Tears tour featuring famed rock band Hawthorne Heights. This summer show is one you won’t want to miss, so be sure to mark your calendar!
DTC Assistant Editor, Nicole Willis, also had the opportunity to catch up with Hawthorne Heights’ very own Chris “Poppy” Popadak for an exclusive interview prior to their stop in Pensacola this month. Be sure to check it out on page 7.
All this, plus the scoop on a new eatery preparing to open its doors in downtown Pensacola called the Camellia Grab-n-Go, the return of the annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival and more.
As always, we hope you enjoy the read!
Until next time,
Cheers!
75 cent gulf coast oysters every tuesday 5pm - 9pm
Photos by Dee Dee Kohl
From On the Stage to Under the Stars
The Handlebar Kicks-Off Outdoor Concert Series
by Nicole Willis
The Handlebar is amplifying downtown Pensacola in the music scene with the kickoff of its new outdoor concert series.
On August 10, The Handlebar will kick-off this series with the 20 Years of Tears concert. Hosted at the Hunter Amphitheater at Community Maritime Park, 20 Years of Tears is a concert event hosted by famed rock band
Hawthorne Heights rose to popularity in the mid-2000s with their emo rock and posthardcore sound. The band has gathered fellow rock acts and are taking their tour throughout the country. Joining Hawthorne Heights in Pensacola is Thursday, Anberlin, Armor For Sleep, Emery and This Wild Life.
Announced in the spring, the concert was initially set to take place outside of The Handlebar on Tarragona Street. However, the event’s great demand led organizers to move the event to the Hunter Amphitheater at the Community Maritime Park.
“When we first took on the event, we had ambitions that it would do well. We have an outdoor space, and we were going to get pretty creative with it to make the show happen. The demand ended up being so much greater than what we expected, so we made the decision to move it,” said Robert Goodspeed, General Manager of The Handlebar and CEO of Night Moves. “We’re excited that we get the chance to extend it and bring it to a bigger area.”
Goodspeed organized last November’s Night Moves Fest, also hosted at Community Maritime Park, as a part of Foo Foo Fest. This festival brought popular indie and alternative artists like Manchester Orchestra and Soccer Mommy onto the amphitheater stage. Goodspeed hopes that the similar 20 Years of Tears event leads to even more fan-favorite groups to the stage.
“With Night Moves Fest last year, we got our foot in the door in terms of bringing some nationally recognized talent to the park. We got to explore what the infrastructure looks like to build the park and make it show-ready. Now this is an opportunity for touring bands to be able to contact us and do shows on a larger scale,” he explained. “I think of it as like a Pensacola version of The Wharf, or what it could be.”
Serving as a stepping stone to putting Pensacola on the map for more national and international artists, 20 Years of Tears is set to be an exhilarating show for fans of rock music. The show is open to all ages
and provides open space to sit in the grass, so mini rockstars and rockers in the making can come to enjoy the evening, too.
Tickets are on sale now at thehandlebar850.com. General admission tickets are $45 plus fees and VIP tickets are $80 plus fees. VIP tickets include early entry to the venue, access to a premium viewing area, and access to VIP lounge areas with private bars and restrooms.
The Hunter Amphitheater is a part of Community Maritime Park, located at 301 W. Main St. in downtown Pensacola. Doors open at 4 pm and the first act begins at 5 pm. 20 Years of Tears is an allages event. For event updates, be sure to follow @thehandlebar850 on Instagram and Facebook. For more information, visit thehandlebar850.com.
SPEAKING IN BLACK AND WHITE
An Interview with Chris “Poppy” Popadak of Hawthorne Heights
by Nicole Willis
Hawthorne Heights (HH) is an American emo rock band that has been writing and performing dynamic and emotionally charged music since 2001. The Ohio-born band is currently composed of vocalist and rhythm guitarist JT Woodruff, bass guitarist Matt Ridenour, lead guitarist Mark McMillon and drummer Chris “Poppy” Popadak.
Popadak is the most recent addition to the band, having joined the group in 2014 after former drummer Eron Bucciarelli stepped away from the band. Despite joining HH after they had been already established, Popadak had no trouble fitting in. He spent plenty of time around the group, even helping out on tour years before officially joining the band. Popadak and HH guitarist, Mark McMillion, have a band called The Story Changes, which they formed in 2003. The two bands have a past of performing together.
HH will be performing in Pensacola on August 10 as part of their 20 Years of Tears event, locally hosted by The Handlebar at Community Maritime Park. For tickets and complete show details, visit thehandlebar850.com.
DTC: What initially drew you to play the drums, and who were some of your musical influences growing up?
CP: I’ve been playing drums my whole life. I guess I just kind of came out as a baby, tapping on things. My mom bought me a drum kit when I was like two years old. My first introduction to rock drummers would have been the MTV era, seeing hair metal or rock stuff. Motley Crue, Van Halen and all of that was a really big early influence for me. By that time, I’m probably 10 years old, and I had already been fascinated with
drums in general. My mom always told me that she just knew I would be a drummer, so I think it’s just something that was kind of instilled in me.
DTC: How did you become a part of Hawthorne Heights?
CP: Me and Mark (McMillon, HH guitarist) have a band called The Story Changes, and we kind of came up playing a lot of the early HH shows. So, when the band was growing, they took us on a lot of tours. In 2009 they asked us to go on another tour, and then at that point, they were thinking about adding in another guitar player, after their [current] guitar player, Casey, passed away. So we were touring together a lot, and they asked Mark if he wanted to play guitar in the band. He wanted to, and that went great. We did some tours together where Mark played in both [HH and The Story Changes]. Since
Photos by Courtney Kiara
Mark was always gone, HH asked me if I wanted to come along and sell merch, which I did. I did that for maybe three years, just touring with them, selling merch and being a tour manager. Then when HH’s drummer, Eron, made the decision to pursue a business opportunity, they called from Europe and asked, ‘Hey, would you like to audition when we get home? Our drummer is leaving the band.’ So, I did my audition and I got the gig. We had already been basically living together on the road, so they knew that we could coexist, which is really the most important thing. There are great musicians everywhere, but you have to be able to share close quarters in a van or hotel rooms for half the year.
DTC: Being that you began making music in the early 2000s, what was it like gaining popularity from the internet and specifically platforms like MySpace?
CP: MySpace really elevated all of the bands; it gave all of us a larger audience that was very unexpected. The Story Changes started at about the same time as HH. We all just played local shows. So to have your stuff be on the internet and reach the world with an organic type of growth is something you
DTC: How do you think that the music industry has changed since you started? How have you seen the changes affect your performance and the way you write?
CP: When we came up and we were starting, you wanted to be on a record label. You wanted to have an attachment to that, because they usually had distribution, or you hoped they had distribution. Getting on a record label that had any sort of name was the goal. Now, you can be an independent artist. You usually don’t need a label. If you’re talking about a major label, and you’re at that level where you could sell millions of records, that’s different. But we’re essentially still in a DIY band. Currently, we own our own studio. We’re making music and releasing it when we want, without much interference from anything, and the distribution is a cell phone now.
Many people don’t even make records anymore. I know a lot of bands from our genre still love to make a record and that’s very important to us; I don’t think we’re ever going to give that idea up. However, a lot of bands are like, ‘Well, we’re going to put out four singles, and then that might turn into our record.’ It
and I feel like they are the best torch carriers of what was built. They’re just the perfect representation of what I think our scene is. They’re incredibly talented.
This isn’t in the same scene, but Balance and Composure came after us. Hot Mulligan, who’s headlining our ‘Ohio is for Lovers’ festival, were just a young band playing emo music to 150 kids when I first saw them. Now they’re this massive band and they’re bringing in a young audience.
There’s always going to be a new band that comes out that kind of carries the torch. Like how Turnstile opened up the world to hardcore. They made what they’ve been doing forever open to a whole new generation of kids. I like to think that those kids are going to come in and be open minded to finding out about every band that fits under the umbrella of the punk, hardcore and emo scene. We are under a very big umbrella with, like the bands that we can play with, and the bands that we can tour. It’s fantastic.
DTC: What can fans expect from 20 Years of Tears?
CP: Just that. It’s a show where every band is a known
see so many different kinds of bands, but bands at the top of their game.
For anybody who’s coming to this show, there is probably an 85 percent chance that you’ve at least heard of every band on the bill, if not love every band on the bill, because we all play together. We all toured together, we came up together. So it’s really just a celebration of music and friendship on our end, and we’re hoping that the fans get that same experience.
DTC: Does HH have any new projects coming or in the works, apart from the tour?
CP: We’re still in the middle of our ‘Is for Lovers’ festival season, which the tour is kind of based around doing our festivals. This year is the celebration of Silence in Black and White’s 20 year anniversary, so we will be supporting that anniversary all year long. We play the When We Were Young Festival,
and then we have some unannounced things to finish our year. Really it’s about trying to play Silence in Black and White everywhere we can this year, and potentially continue into next year. That’s what happened the last time we did an anniversary tour where it lasted 18 months because we just kept going to new places.
Since this year is so busy, we would really like to take some downtime next year and actually stay in our studio and focus on writing. We want to create new music. We just have been touring so much because it’s what we know how to do, and it’s what we like to do, that when we have the downtime, all we’re really doing is working on the upcoming tours. The goal is to always try to write while we’re on the road, but it’s just a long and busy day, so you really have to block off time to write and be productive. We want to have some new music out, as well as play the album that has really kept us here for 20 years.
CAMELLIA Grab-n-Go
by Morgan Cole
ANew Downtown Eatery to Offer Fast, Fresh and Affordable Take-Out Options
new eatery is preparing to open its doors in downtown Pensacola bringing fast, fresh and affordable food options specifically prepared for individuals to grab-and-go.
Occupying a historic 1940s-era cottage at 1617 West Garden Street, the Camellia Grab-n-Go will offer an assortment of fresh, southern-inspired deli options fused with worldly flavors—all conveniently packaged to enjoy on-the-go.
“The Camellia menu will feature a variety of convenient hot and cold deli options inspired by flavor and family history,” Camellia Owner Steve Stein said.
Featuring freshly prepared cold salads, sides, spreads and sandwiches, the Camellia will offer a variety of elevated foods and snacks for individuals seeking a tasty take-out option they can enjoy at any destination.
“As a carry-out only restaurant, our goal is to provide service to those on the go, or those seeking destination dining at local places such as Blue Wahoos stadium, Bruce Beach Park, Legion Field, boat trips, Pensacola Beach, Opera al Fresco, Bands on the Beach, Blues on the Bay, Bands on the Bayou or dinner at home with family and friends,” Stein explained.
The menu will boast a variety of higher-end southern-inspired options, including everything from housemade spreads to an assortment of southern sides and artisan sandwiches, all of which will be served on freshly baked baguettes from Craft Bakery.
The Camellia will offer a few cold deli sandwiches, including Stein’s signature Dill Shrimp Salad and Smoked Chicken Salad with pecans and green onion. A few hot deli sandwiches, such as Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Chicken, will also be available as regular grab-and-go menu items.
“If sandwiches are not your thing, you can also enjoy our meats and cold salads in bulk,” Stein explained. “Craft baguettes and pita chips will be available for the cold salads and variety of homemade spreads, which include baba ganoush, eggplant and artichoke dip, hummus, egg and green olive dip and a black olive tapenade.”
Regularly available housemade salads will include a balsamic coleslaw (no mayo), Moroccan mint carrot salad, black-eyed pea salad (aka cowboy caviar) and a simple, raw shredded cabbage and carrot mix.
Individuals will also be able to help themselves to an assortment of hot side dishes, such as organic cheese grits, red beans and rice with a Caribbean flavor profile, gumbo ya ya (shrimp, chicken and andouille) as well as an occasional soup or stew special.
The Camellia will have a variety of housemade condiments, including ranch dressing, salsa
verde, tomato coulis and barbeque sauces from The Shed BBQ in Pensacola.
“Other small snacks and lite fares, such as cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mixed fruit cups and veggie sticks, will also be available for individuals looking for something a little more simple. Big Jerk Soda will serve as our local soft drink representative, alongside Coke products and iced tea options. Beer and wine for off-site consumption is in the works as well,” Stein said.
Stein’s culinary inspiration and expertise come from the years he spent serving as a cook in different restaurants across the country, places he’s lived, traveled and everything in between. The carefully curated menu reflects an assortment of cuisines and flavors inspired by Stein’s beloved family recipes and dishes from some of his favorite restaurants, including a few from his college days, where he attended pharmacy school at Ole Miss.
Since moving to Pensacola from the high desert of the Oregon/Idaho border in 2018, Stein has served as a cook for a number of local restaurants.
“I am a cook. I cook all the time and love it. Even after a long day of work, I’ll often find myself in my kitchen at home whipping up supper. I have always cooked but really got into it at Ole Miss and out west when I lived in Oregon, where the nearby dining options were extremely limited and homogenous,” Stein said.
Stein’s goal is to offer fresh, fast and affordable foods that are not only perfect for meals and
snacks, but also for entertaining. Each of the freshly prepared menu items will be packaged and stored in a set of large refrigerator-coolers inside the restaurant, providing a quick and tasty alternative to other take out options in the area.
“Our main goal is to get you in and out as fast as possible so you can get on with your work or good times. I would describe the Camellia as a cross between an elevated bodega deli and a brick and mortar food truck with a grocery food counter,” Stein explained. “We will have most items already prepared for you to grab, then go; however, there will also be a few specialty or modified preparations (i.e. gluten free) available for short order or advanced ordering online, so you won’t have to wait around. It’s a small place, so our goal is to keep everyone moving.”
Aside from online ordering, which Stein highly recommends, the Camellia will also provide the option for curbside pick-ups.
Whether you’re looking for something tasty for a picnic in the park or something to stock the cooler for a day out on the boat, the Camellia serves as the perfect pit stop for elevated snacks, sandwiches and salads that you can easily graband-go to enjoy at the destination of your choice.
The Camellia grab-n-go is expected to officially open by mid-August, and will be open seven days a week from 11 am to 7 pm.
For updates, sneak peeks at featured menu items and more, follow Camellia Grab-n-Go on Facebook and check out @camelliagrabngo on Instagram.
OCT. 5, 2024
NOV. 2, 2024
OPENING NIGHT!
AMERICAN STYLE: COPLAND, STEPHENSON & BERNSTEIN
JAN. 11, 2025
MAR. 29, 2025 MAY 3, 2025
BEETHOVEN & BLUE JEANS
STRAUSS & SCHUBERT
DEC. 31, 2024
FEB. 15, 2025
SEASON FINALE MAR. 8, 2025 SYMPHONIC
CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR! BOND & BEYOND
Hop Into Summer
Local Craft Brews Perfect for Any Summer Adventure
Whether you’re spending your summer days catching waves at the beach or relaxing riverside, you’ll need to beat the summer heat! What better way to cool down than with a delicious ice cold beer? Fortunately, Pensacola is home to more than a dozen unique craft breweries, and the easiest way to do that is with fresh, local beer. From full-bodied ales and refreshing lagers to citrusy IPAs and more, there is a brew for every mood, activity and taste. We’ve rounded up a refreshing selection of locally produced canned and bottled beers perfect for the summer season. Cheers!
Original Pensacola Premium Lager, 3.9% ABV
From: Pensacola Bay Brewery
Flavor profile: This light lager is extremely drinkable and its low ABV makes it perfect for hot summer days.
Pairing Suggestion: Pairs well with savory and spicy foods, as well as grilled foods such as chicken, hot dogs and brats.
Price: Canned 6-packs starting at $11.99
Available at: Pensacola Bay Brewery located at 225 Zaragoza St. in downtown Pensacola
Citra Spin IPA, 6.5% ABV
From: Perfect Plain Brewing Co.
Flavor profile: Hopped exclusively with Citra, this hazy brew features light citrus notes that are perfect for sipping beachside.
Pairing suggestions: Pairs well with rich and fatty grilled meals, making it the perfect beer for all of your summer cookouts.
Price: Canned 6-packs starting at $12
Available at: Publix, Total Wine, Winn Dixie, Perfect Plain Brewing Co. at 50 E. Garden St. in downtown Pensacola and more
McGuire’s
Irish Red, 4.5% ABV
From: McGuire’s Irish Pub
Flavor profile: A smooth and malty full-bodied ale that’s great for sipping. Pairs well with most foods, especially steaks and seafood dishes.
Pairing suggestions: Pairs well with rich and fatty grilled meals, making it the perfect beer for all of your summer cookouts.
Price: Canned 6-packs starting at $12.99
Available at: Total Wine & More, Greer’s, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Cost Plus Liquors (Pace Blvd.), Greer’s Liquor, Wine & Beer, Publix, McGuire’s Irish Pub and more
Shark
Bite IPA, 6.5% ABV
From: Doc’s Hop Shop
Flavor profile: This classically bitter IPA has notes of pine and citrus and is dry hopped for added flavor.
Pairing suggestions: This IPA pairs especially well with oysters (raw and baked), spicy foods and curries.
Price: Canned 6-packs starting at $12
Available at: Apple Market, Total Wine, Richey’s East, Fusion Wine and Spirits and more
Cerveza, 4.5% ABV
Name: Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten
Flavor profile: This Mexicanstyle lager is pale, crisp and low in bitterness. It’s refreshing and light, making it perfect for summer sipping.
Pairing suggestions: Pairs well with tacos and other mexican dishes.
Price: Single can for $6, or canned 4-pack for $18
Available at: Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten at 208 Newman Ave. in Pensacola
Beach Wizard, 4.0% ABV
From: Odd Colony Brewing Co.
Flavor profile: Crisp, clean and bursting with fresh lime flavor. Brewed with Appalachian grain. Exceptional for humid evenings or lounging by the water.
Pairing suggestions: While this beer can be paired with all types of foods, its flavors shine through when paired with spicier cuisines, such as Mexican and Thai.
Price: 4-packs of 16 oz cans for $16
Available at: Odd Colony at 260 N. Palafox St. and The Burrow at 1010 N. 12th Ave. Suite 11
Island Glow, 6% ABV
From: Coastal County Brewing Co.
Flavor profile: French-style ale with a light, golden malt flavor and tropical fruit aromas with a crisp finish.
Pairing suggestions: This saison pairs particularly well with Asian dishes and assorted cheese charcuterie, as well as roasted chicken, duck and pork.
Price: Single can for $8.50, or canned 4-pack for $20
Available at: Coastal County Brewing Co. at 3041 E. Olive Rd. in Pensacola
Summer Storm, 5.5% ABV
From: Coastal County Brewing Co.
Flavor profile: This Dortmunder lager is made with 100 percent German malt and yeast. A light and refreshing lager brewed with a small amount of biscuit malt and low-hop bitterness
Pairing suggestions: Best enjoyed with grilled pork, burgers, veal and steaks, but also bitter enough to pair nicely with spicy foods and Indian dishes.
Price: Single can for $8.50, or canned 4-pack for $20
Available at: Coastal County Brewing Co. at 3041 E. Olive Rd. in Pensacola
by Kayla Tolbert
Pensacola’s largest and oldest craft tasting beer event is back for its 28th year. The annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival will return to the streets of downtown Pensacola on September 6 featuring more than 200 beers.
Organized and hosted by the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club and Seville Quarter, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival has earned its reputation as the longest running beer festival on the Gulf Coast.
The Emerald Coast City Beer Fest in Seville Quarter features over 200 craft beers for sampling, featuring more than 50 Gulf Coast breweries and microbreweries.
With multiple vendors, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival features an abundance of local craft beers to sample.
“We usually have about 250 to 300 different beers and other adult beverages to serve,” Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club Treasurer Jim Martin said. “Although Goldring is the main distributor, there are many independent breweries from different areas that attend the event. We expect about 65 breweries and homebrew clubs. Most are from Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Others come from all over the country.”
Hosted by the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club and Seville Quarter, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival holds the title of the longest running beer
Since then, the festival has grown, multiplying the number of attendees. “We have grown from 176 attendees the first year to 2,500 the year before COVID,” Martin explained.
The Homebrewers Club started with some craft beer lovers in the spring of 1985, back when the craft brew scene only happened in the garages and basements of enthusiasts. Today, it consists of more than 100 members who craft all types of adult beverages including beer, wine, mead and cider. Since its establishment in 1985, the club has developed connections with other homebrew clubs across the country.
In 2023, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival attracted nearly 2,300 attendees, and according to event organizers, they are anticipating at least 2,500 individuals to attend this year’s event.
The festival will also feature a variety of tasty brews and craft beverages from more than a dozen regional homebrew clubs, as well as several major regional beer distributors. Attendees will also be able to purchase food from local food truck vendors and enjoy live music performed across several stages.
festival on the Gulf Coast. Originally started by the Florida Brewers Guild, the festival was taken over by the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club back in 1999.
“Guests can choose from more than 200 different types of beverages to sample at the event, including seltzers, wines, meads and beers,” Martin said.
The 2024 Emerald Coast Beer Festival will be held on September 6 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola.
With two types of admission tickets available, attendees will have a wide range of fun activities available throughout the day.
For $35, individuals can purchase a general admission ticket that allows attendees to sample over 200 craft beers, receive a 28th anniversary sampling glass, listen to live music, visit various food vendors and gain exclusive entry to the event after-party inside Seville Quarter.
For $80, individuals can purchase VIP admission tickets, which includes everything from general admission, but also gives ticket holders early access to the festival with entry beginning at 5 pm, along with hors d’oeuvres, mead tasting and complimentary craft spirits from local distilleries. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at emeraldcoastbeerfest.com.
This is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the best beers from the Emerald Coast and beyond. With more than 200 craft beers to choose from, you’re sure to find something you love.
For tickets and complete event details, visit emeraldcoastbeerfest.com, or follow @emeraldcoastbeerfest on Instagram.
Subscribe & Save this opera season
The best way to experience great opera is through a season subscription. Pick your own seats, enjoy a 25% savings over single ticket prices, and exclusive other perks! Join us next season for the ultimate opera experience with a classic Mozart comedy and a famous theatrical drama.
Subscriptions are available for purchase online at www.pensacolaopera.com or 850.433.6737.
AUGUST COMMUNITY EVENTS
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Schedule
August home games at the Blue Wahoos Stadium. For tickets and information, visit milb.com/pensacola.
August 13 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
August 14 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
August 15 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
August 16 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
August 17 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
August 18 at 4:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
August 27 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos
August 28 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos
August 29 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos
August 30 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos
August 31 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos
PLT presents Disney’s Descendants the Musical
July 19 - August 4
In Disney’s Descendants, the offspring of some of Disney’s most notorious villains are invited to attend Auradon Prep, a school for the children of heroes and royalty. Mal, the daughter of Maleficent, leads a group of misfit friends as they navigate fitting in and discovering their identities. However, when Mal realizes that being good isn’t as easy as it seems, she must decide where her loyalties lie and whether to follow in her mother’s wicked footsteps or forge her own path. Performances will take place at the Pensacola Little Theatre located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.
The Magic of Motown @ the Saenger Theatre
August 3 & 4
A group of 15 powerhouse vocalists backed by a six-piece band, will deliver all the hits from your favorite artists August 3 and 4 at the historic Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. The Magic of Motown is a celebration of passion, innovation and community. Embrace the opportunity to explore the world of pop in a dynamic theater setting. Tickets are on sale now starting at $67. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Bands on the Beach
August 6, 13, 20 & 27
Each year, from April through October, you can enjoy free outdoor concerts on Pensacola Beach. The Bands on the Beach concert series promises a musical extravaganza spanning from rock and country, to pop and funk and everything in between. Hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority and set against the stunning backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach, Bands on the Beach offers free weekly concerts on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 pm. Grab some friends, lawn-chairs and pack the cooler and head out to the beach for a free beachside concert. Dogs and glassware are not permitted. The July performance lineup is as follows: Blackwater Country on August 6, The Astronauts on August 13, Yard Lights on August 20 and Cristi Dee’s Bad Juju on August 27. For complete details, check out visitpensacolabeach.com.
Opera After Dark: Bella Notte
August 9
Join Pensacola Opera on this lovely bella notte! Opera After Dark will return on August 9 at 7 pm with tenor Andrew Morstein performing a variety of favorite, classic Italian pieces accompanied by Cody Martin on piano. Enjoy complimentary themed beverages and light bites before taking your seat and during intermission. Bathed in the glow of neon lights, Opera After Dark is a cabaretstyle concert blending the beauty of opera and classical singing with the vibrant energy that only ignites after dark. Opera After Dark will take place at the Pensacola Opera Center in downtown Pensacola. Virtual tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at pensacolaopera.com. Doors open at 6:15 PM; seating is first-come, first-served. For complete details, visit pensacolaopera.com.
20 Years of Tears featuring Hawthorne Heights
August 10
The Handlebar has partnered with Reaction Presents, Night Moves, Silver Industries, Bowe Inc and MFG Promotions to bring you a live outdoor concert series featuring Hawthorne Heights, Thursday, Anberlin, Armor for Sleep, Emery and This Wild Life. The concert will be held on August 10 at 5 pm at the Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater in downtown Pensacola. The gates will open at 4 pm, and all ages are welcome. General Admission and Premium Access Tickets are on on-sale now and can be purchased online through The Handlebar at thehandlebar850.com. For complete concert details, visit thehandlebar850.com or hawthorneheights.com.
Cinemas in the Sand
. . August 16
The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) invites families and friends of all ages to unpack their beach chairs and blankets, dig their toes in the sand and spend a Friday evening cozying up on Pensacola Beach while enjoying a free classic family film, The Secret Life of Pets. The popular Cinemas in the Sand series is held each year from March through October, with movies presented on Friday nights from 8 to 10 pm from at the Gulfside Pavilion on Casino Beach. All movies are free and open to the public. Movies are projected onto a giant inflatable outdoor movie screen in front of the Gulfside Pavilion stage, weather permitting. To view the full 2024 lineup of scheduled movies, visit facebook.com/ visitpensacolabeach or visitpensacola.com.
Blue Angels Practice Dates
August 21 & 27
The world-famous Blue Angels can be seen practicing over the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola select days throughout the year. Guests can come to the National Naval Aviation Museum to watch the practice for free, with gates opening 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. For more information, visit navalaviationmuseum.org/blueangels.
Petal & Pulse Music Festival
. . August 22 - 24
Celebrate Garden & Grain’s 5th Anniversary August 22 to 24 with a two-day music festival featuring local DJs, bands, entertainers and more. Presented in partnership with Kulture Kreated and 850 Entertainment, don’t miss downtown Pensacola’s newest music festival featuring some of the best beats and beverages in town. A special VIP Launch Party will kick off the event on Thursday, followed by two days of music, Drag Brunch add-ons and more. FullWeekend General Admission passes are on sale for $125 and One-Day passes (Friday or Saturday) are $75 each. VIP Tickets are also available for $200. For tickets and complete event details, visit perfectplain.com/garden-and-grain/.
Pensacola Opera Chorus Auditions
. August 28
Pensacola Opera is hosting auditions for its 42nd Season Opera Chorus August 28 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at the Pensacola Opera Center in downtown Pensacola. The role of the chorus in any opera production is one of the utmost importance. These singers take part in many scenes, interacting with the principal characters
and setting the tone for the entire cast. In addition to singing in mainstage productions, the Opera Chorus also participates in a series of community engagement and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. These auditions are for new chorus members only, or any chorus members who would like to return after taking a few seasons away. For complete audition requirements, visit pensacolaopera.com.
Baubles and Bracelets Workshop
. August 29
Led by Kristin of Grace and Serendipity and Megan of KA Clay and Creations, this make and take jewelry workshop will offer attendees the chance to make their very own pair of earrings and a bracelet. Workshop participants will also get to select an already-made pair of stud earrings and a stacking bracelet of their choice to coordinate with the other pieces of jewelry made during the class. This all-new workshop will be held August 29 from 6 to 8 pm at Gather at Alyssa’s in Pace. Registration is $50 perperson and includes two pairs of earrings and two bracelets, along with small bites and sippers to enjoy while you make your creations. Online registration is required in order to attend. Visit shopalyssas.com/classes to register.
Bands on the Blackwater - Disco Kiss
August 30
Held each fall from August to October along the west bank of the Blackwater River in Milton, the Bands on the Blackwater Fall Concert Series features live outdoor music in a family-friendly environment. Concerts are held on Friday nights from 7 to 9 pm at Jernigan’s Landing located at 5158 South Willing St. in downtown Milton. The line-up offers a variety of music from local favorites to national touring bands performing Bluegrass, country, blues and rock and roll. Blankets, chairs and coolers are welcome, and dancing is highly encouraged. Fans are also welcome to come by boat, or anchor up in the river. Local food vendors will also be onsite dishing up delicious eats for attendees to enjoy. Check out @BandsOnTheBlackwater on Facebook for updates and the complete lineup of scheduled performances for 2024.
MILITARYMATTERS
AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION
BLUE ANGELS SELECT OFFICERS FOR 2025 SHOW SEASON
BY PETTY
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, selected five new officers to join the team for the 2025 air show season.
The squadron selected two F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots, a C-130J Super Hercules pilot, an Events Coordinator and a Flight Surgeon to replace outgoing team members.
By the start of the 2025 show season, these five officers will join the ranks of the U.S. Navy’s most elite aviation officers, ground support officers and enlisted maintenance personnel already serving on the team.
“It’s always a challenge selecting new officers for the team because we have so many highly qualified applicants,” Commanding Officer and Flight Leader of the Blue Angels Cdr. Alex Armatas said.“We are thrilled to introduce the new officers for the 2025 show season and excited to see what each of them bring to our demonstration team in 2025.”
Each year, the Blue Angels select finalists to interview at the team’s home base of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., during the week of the Pensacola Beach Air Show; selections are made at the conclusion of that week. This year’s Pensacola Beach Air Show took place July 11-13.
The selected 2025 officers include:
• F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot: Maj. Brandon Wilkins, from Beaufort, South Carolina, is currently assigned to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31. He graduated from The Citadel in 2007.
• F/A-18E/F Demonstration Pilot: Maj. Scott Laux, from Chantilly, Virginia is currently assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2012.
• Events Coordinator: Lcdr. Lilly Montana, from Vienna, Virgina, is currently assigned to VT-86. She graduated from Auburn University in 2010.
• C-130J Demonstration Pilot: Maj. Joshua Horman, from Smithville, Missouri, is currently assigned to VMGR-252. He graduated from William Jewell College in 2009.
• Flight Surgeon: Cmdr. Jen Murr, from Jackson Center, Ohio, is currently assigned to VR-56. She graduated from Xavier University in 2002.
New team members will report to the squadron in September for a two-month turnover period. Upon completion of the 2024 show season, which concludes in November with the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola, the team will embark on a rigorous five-month training program at NAS Pensacola and Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif.
The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country.
For more news from the Blue Angels, visit blueangels.navy.mil/.
OFFICER 1ST CLASS CODY DECCIO, NAVY FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION SQUADRON
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