Downtown Crowd, June 2024

Downtown Crowd

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DOWNTOWN CROWD | JUNE 2024

Morgan Cole, Editor

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Nineteenth century poet Henry Wasworth Longfellow couldn’t have said it any better. Music truly is a powerful tool that has the ability to bring people together. Not only does it foster a sense of community, it also provides a collective experience that can overcome just about any physical distance.

As a tribute to our community’s robust music scene, we have brought you details on all of the upcoming community concerts and live music events occurring throughout the summer season. From Blues on the Bay to Bands on the Blackwater, the summer calendar is packed with community concerts and live performances that are sure to entertain!

This month, you’ll also read about the exciting lineup of new and returning Pride Month events taking place at venues across the city, including the return of the annual PensaPride event, WolfGang’s Pups for Pride and many more. In addition to the Pride Month festivities, PLT will be wrapping up its 2023-2024 season with an original production of Johnathan Larson’s pop cultural phenomenon, RENT. This production is one you won’t want to miss, so be sure to catch one of the weekend performances taking place throughout the month of June.

All of this, plus details on the 10th Annual Fish House Craft Beer Festival and more!

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

5 Questions with Creatives

Cameron Michles, Owner of A Good Stitch

Cameron Michles is a fiber artist who creates fun one-of-a-kind knit and crochet pieces. Born and raised along the Gulf Coast, Michles spent her childhood in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach. After high school, she moved to North Carolina to study psychology and theatre at Wake Forest University. While at college in 2021, Michles created A Good Stitch to share her knit and crochet pieces. Currently residing in NC, but visiting Pensacola often, Michles has plans to move back to Pensacola in the coming months before starting graduate school at Columbia in the fall. Check out Michles’ work at agoodstitch.org or @AGoodStitch on Instagram, where she also takes custom orders.

How did you get interested in creating? What drew you to knitting and crochet?

My mom taught me how to knit many times growing up. Knitting finally stuck in my second year of undergrad. Around that time, I was also seeking help in managing my trichotillomania (trich), or hair-pulling disorder, which I have had for many years. After attempting many therapeutic techniques to help manage my trich, It wasn’t until I tried knitting again that I was finally able to make headway in managing my symptoms. Trich is a complex disorder that is often oversimplified or misconstrued as a behavior that exists as self-harm, when it is the opposite. People with trich repetitively pull their hair as a coping mechanism. So, something that is meant to be self-soothing, becomes a terribly difficult ‘habit’ to break. When I rediscovered knitting, I realized it was the perfect activity to help me manage my trich because it kept my hands and brain busy, and allowed me to channel destructive energy into something creative. I began by making hats so that I would have something to put on my head if my trich flared up. However, the rate at which I was making them quickly surpassed the number of hats one person could need, so I began brainstorming ways to share my creations. From this, A Good Stitch was born.

You donate 10% of your profits to the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors. Can you explain why this charity is so important to you?

From the very beginning, I wanted to

donate to the TLC Foundation because of how interconnected knitting and trich are for me. The foundation provides resources and community to people like me who struggle with bodyfocused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), an umbrella term for disorders like trich. There aren’t cures for BFRBs—there are just ways of managing them. Knitting is a way that I found to minimize the grip that trich had on my life, but it doesn’t make the disorder go away. That’s why having a community and a constant source of togetherness is so important for something like this. The TLC Foundation is where I first found this sense of community.

Tell me about the different types of pieces you create.

I began making exclusively headwear, starting with beanies, and adding bucket hats, bandanas and headbands over time. Now, years later, I find that my absolute favorite thing to make is clothing. It’s a tricky thing to balance in terms of sharing my work with others, though. Since people are often pretty particular about clothing, this can make it hard to find the perfect home for the pieces I make, but it also makes it incredibly rewarding when someone clicks with a product. Making clothing is a patience game; sometimes a product immediately catches someone’s eye and it sells within a day, and other times it takes years before anyone picks it up. One thing I’ve learned through all of this, though, is that it is nearly impossible to predict what will sell, so I prioritize making what excites me and trusting that it will find its home eventually. Another one of my priorities

is to have products for everyone. Knitwear and crochet items often lean towards a more feminine style, so I am always trying out new styles that are inclusive to everyone. That is one of my favorite things about the bags I make; they are one of the most universally appreciated items I sell.

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

My creative process is freeform and changes depending on what I am making. Nearly all of my pieces are freehand, meaning I don’t follow a pattern or tutorial, so a lot of my process is trial and error. Knitting and crocheting is more about the process to me than the outcome, so I will often start a project based on what I feel like making in the moment—whether it be using a certain kind of yarn or working a certain type of stitch—then I decide what product I’m actually making as I go. The trade off of this is that I end up with a fair amount of pieces that I decide to undo and remake, but I never consider it wasted time. With every project that I start, whether or not I keep the finished product, I have a good time making it.

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

My most popular items fluctuate over time, but currently, I am selling a lot of knit scrunchies. They are a crowd favorite and also happen to be one of my favorite things to make, so I often have

by Nicole Willis

a large stock of colors for people to choose from. Sometimes my bucket hats or tote bags will spike in popularity. The popularity of my pieces usually changes from market to market. Products also shift in popularity with the seasons, so sweaters and scarves are currently taking a back seat while my more summery designs are getting more attention.

Measure Your Life in Love

PLT Presents RENT as 2023-2024 Season Finale

by Darien Hardy

Pensacola Little Theatre (PLT) proudly presents Jonathan Larson’s RENT, an iconic rock opera musical, as the grand finale of the 2023-2024 season. Running every weekend from June 7 to 23, RENT is directed by Kathy Holsworth, with music direction by Ginger Caro and choreography by Michael Dennis.

Winner of both the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has transcended generations to become a pop culture phenomenon. Its dynamic soundtrack and compelling narrative have resonated with audiences worldwide.

RENT, loosely based on Puccini’s beloved opera La Boheme, is set in New York City’s 1991 Lower East Side city-scape amidst the rampantly raging HIV/AIDS crisis. The production tells the story of a year in the life of a group of starving artists living rather than dying as they pursue their passions.

The physical and emotional complications of HIV/AIDS deeply impact the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen explores her chronic infidelity through performance art while her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the heartache as she navigates the friend group. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a corporate income and must negotiate with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an

outsider to life in general. While each character has different motivations and reactions to their respective situations, RENT showcases how this group of friends comes together to support and love one another.

Both new and returning cast members will take the stage to bring this beloved production to life, with Pensacola natives having the chance to enjoy some notable favorites in the local theater scene.

Veronica Lindholm, who plays Maureen, has performed at PLT as the lead in Mamma Mia, as well as at PSC as the lead role of Funny Girl, Fanny Brice. Nick Arnstein, who performed alongside Lindholm in the production as Benjamin Haupt, plays the role of Angel in PLT’s production of RENT. Mark is played by Zander Smith, who many recognize from his leading role in SpongeBob at PSC. Other actors of note are Nathan Simmons, who plays Rodger, and Anthony Broughton, who plays Collins.

“Our cast is amazing, and the energy that they are giving us during rehearsal is just extreme,” RENT Choreographer Michael Dennis said. “They are super talented and willing to put in all their effort to make it a wonderful show. They’re very dedicated, and our set designer, Kayla Stephenson, is doing an amazing job making sure everything works with the choreography.”

RENT is set against the iconic 1991 New York City scaffolding featured in the original production, which will prove to be nostalgic for the audience.

“The band will be on stage instead of in the pit, which will make the show feel more live,” Dennis added. PLT’s RENT will not be a direct copy, but show producers are staying true to Larson’s original production.

“I think that people that are older will enjoy the show because it represents their time period, and it appeals to younger audiences because it’s an iconic show,” Dennis said. “It’s a little irreverent, and the music is rocking.” While this show resonates with international audiences, please note that the production does contain strong language and adult themes.

Written in the 90s, it’s interesting that RENT is considered a period piece. People ages 18 and older have grown up cherishing this music but may have lacked true understanding of the material. PLT found itself exploring the concepts with not only the audience, but also the cast as their production of RENT developed.

As PLT’s artistic director, Kathy Holsworth has been directing for 20 years. She works with a selection committee made up of 40 volunteers to select titles, and Holsworth gets to suggest one title a year for her major project. Her original selection was Rock of Ages, but unfortunately, PLT was unable to get the rights to produce the show. Holsworth worked with music director Ginger Caro to brainstorm different rock musicals. They soon found out that there had been no other amateur productions of RENT produced in the area as of yet. The material was nostalgic and challenging, and Holsworth and Caro had lots to say about it. They brought the title to the selection committee and were surprised to find that they were able to get the rights.

Holsworth noted that RENT was the hardest casting call that she’s experienced in 20 years of directing because of the meaning and depth associated with the musical. According to Dennis, RENT felt like a long time coming for Holsworth, Caro and himself.

“It was what we lived through, and we all had friends that died from AIDS. We knew what that was like,” Dennis explained. “Then, our cast is in their 20s. We’ve had to do a lot of education on what the lyrics and some of the references mean because those terms and words weren’t around for them. They don’t understand how deadly AIDS was. We have medications and people have been living with it for years, but during this time in RENT, it was a death sentence.”

Exploring this time period through such artistic expression as RENT can, in turn, change how cast, crew, producers and audience members see themselves.

“RENT has rich meaning for our cast, but also for audiences because it brings perspective for what we have and what we have had, both good and bad,” Holsworth explained.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and Red Ribbon Foundation (RRF) are proud sponsors of PLT’s production of RENT. While the show is sure to entertain audience members with songs that rock and a story that resonates with all ages, production organizers and these sponsor organizations plan to educate the public about the impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis using real-world experiences. For more information, visit hivcare.org and redribbonnwfla.org.

“I hope audience members, and even our cast, gain understanding about what the time period was like for people,” Dennis said. “The power of friendship and love is most important to living with any crisis, and what better way to do it through music and dance that’s both entertaining and educational.”

For event details and ticket prices, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com, or check out PLT on Facebook @PensacolaLittleTheatre.

in Pensacola

2024’s Local Pride Celebrations

by Nicole Willis

As summer unfolds in Pensacola, the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQ+ community comes alive with a series of events celebrating diversity, love and unity. While a majority of the annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations are held on Pensacola Beach throughout Memorial Day weekend, the festivities also continue into the month of June. Pensacolians can look forward to enjoying a variety of events throughout the month of June in honor of Pride Month. From local markets and dazzling drag performances to karaoke and dog-friendly activities, there’s no shortage of fun in store when it comes to celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride. We’ve compiled a list of some of Pensacola’s most-anticipated Pride Month events. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these local pride festivities promise to inspire and bring the community together in joyous celebration.

Pride Month at The Cabaret | June 1-30

As a staple amongst the local LGBTQ+ community, The Cabaret celebrates Pride all year long. However, they go all out for the month of June, hosting a series of special events to mark the special occasion. On Mondays, guests are invited to “Sing Out Loud” during karaoke hosted by Diva Shell and Kyanne. Beginning at 9 pm, the queens will compete to see who can pump up the loudest crowd. The fun continues on Tuesdays, with Dirty Drag Queen Bingo at 8 pm, where guests are invited to laugh, get naughty and compete to win various Pride-themed novelties. On Wednesdays, test your knowledge with a special version of Pride-themed Trivia at 8:30 pm. Thursdays allow the younger crowd to join in on the Pride fun, with individuals ages 18 or older invited to attend drag shows with some of Pensacola’s leading entertainers. The shows run from 9:30 to 11 pm and feature $2 well drinks until the end of the show.

Continue the celebration into the weekend with a ton of dancing and drag fun! On Fridays and Saturdays, DJ Lil Wolfe will play some of your favorite dance hits as you dance the night away. Drag shows featuring the fabulous Dee Range, Lauren Mitchell, Kendyll Michaels, Angelique Young and Zaniyah D. Iman will also be held on weekends throughout the month of June. During PensaPride Weekend on June 15, Cabaret will welcome the National Miss Glamorous and Miss Europe Continental title holder—Joan Jullian of Chicago. Showtimes are at 10:30 pm and midnight, with a dollar of each paid entry going to help fund Equality Florida’s July 11 mixer.

On Sunday, June 16 from 12 to 6 pm, Cabaret will also host a pet-focused event called Pet-n-Pride, where pet-oriented businesses will be set up to visit with attendees and their furry friends. Don’t forget to deck out your pets in their most flashy and fabulous rainbow attire! Get ready to laugh, because on Wednesday, June 19, Cabaret will host the Pub and Grub Comedy Tour at 7:30 pm. For updates and additional details on upcoming Cabaret events, follow @TheCabaretPensacola on Facebook and Instagram.

Pride-Themed Pensacola Arts Markets | June 8 & 22

Pensacola Arts Market will host two Pride-themed markets during the month of June. On June 8 and 22, enjoy browsing and shopping with LGBTQ+ and ally artists and artisans. Over 50 vendors will be in attendance offering a variety of handcrafted goods, art pieces, homemade treats, vintage wares and more. Explore the diverse crowd of creatives in Pensacola during this Pridethemed arts and crafts event. This family friendly event is open to all ages and admission is free. The markets are hosted at Cordova Square, located at 1101 N. 12th Ave., at the corner of E. Gonzalez St. and 12th Ave. in East Hill. The event begins at 11 am and runs until 4 pm both days. For more information, visit @PensacolaArtsMarket on Facebook and Instagram.

PensaPride | June 15

Pensacola’s annual PensaPride event is back! PensaPride is a day-long celebration of LGBTQ+ life, love and togetherness during Pride Month. The event features a variety of LGBTQ+ vendors, small businesses, artists, performers and more. Enjoy browsing locally-made products, listening to local musicians and savoring tasty bites. This year’s PensaPride is switching locations to the expo hall at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds at 6655 Mobile Hwy. The event will run from 10 am to 6 pm, and the entry fee is $1. For more information, visit pensapride.org.

PHG’s Pride Week Pop-Up | June 19-23

From June 19 to 23, Perennial Hospitality Group (PHG) will celebrate Pride all week long through a series of Pride-themed events at their different venues—Perfect Plain, Garden & Grain, Perennial Patio Bar and The Well. The festivities will kick off on Wednesday, June 19 at Perfect Plain with Pride Blackout Bingo from 7 to 9 pm. On Thursday from 5 to 9 pm, the fun will continue at Perfect Plain and Garden & Grain with the Pride & Perfect Allies Makers Market.

Friday, June 21 is ICON Night, featuring a different Pride event at each PHG venue. Karaoke will be hosted at Perfect Plain from 9 pm to 12 am, Garden & Grain will host DJ HDYCVT from 9 pm to 12 am, the Jordan Chase Band will perform at The Well from 8 to 11 pm and Gwenty Marans will be taking over Perennial Patio Bar from 6 to 9 pm. Saturday brings a paw-some time, with WolfGang Pensacola’s Pups for Pride event featuring a dog-friendly brunch, glam treatment, parade and karaoke. PHG’s Pride Week concludes on Sunday with a delicious Drag Brunch at The Well from 11 am to 3 pm. The Drag Brunch will feature some of your favorite queens, as well as a specialty menu and bottomless mimosas. For addresses, price details and more, visit facebook.com/PerfectPlainBrewingCo/events.

Pups for Pride | June 22

Join WolfGang Pensacola and Perfect Plain on June 22 for a fabulous and fun-filled event—Pups for Pride! Kick off the day bright and early by enjoying a brunch with your best furry friend. Enjoy a bagel bar, fresh fruit and a glass of champagne. If one glass isn’t enough to get the party going, no worries, Garden and Grain will offer BOGO champagne and Perfect Plain will offer $2 off of wine and beer purchases. In addition, attendees will enjoy 15 percent off all craft beverages. Your furry friends will also be treated to a delicious brunch, including custom dog treats and delicious pup cups.

After brunch, take your pooch over to the glam bar to get adorned in all things rainbow! Get your pup in the spirit of Pride with a Pride-themed bandana and some paw-safe nail polish. Then, strut your stuff with your pup as attendees proudly parade from Perfect Plain down to Perennial Patio Bar. Enjoy even more drink specials and lively karaoke at Perennial Patio Bar. If you want to continue the fun into the evening, head back to Perfect Plain and end the night with a dazzling drag show. Pups for Pride will kick off at Garden & Grain located at 50 E. Garden St. in downtown Pensacola. The event runs from 11 am to 3 pm, and tickets are $40 per person. For tickets and complete event details, visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com.

by Morgan Cole

In a society that’s built around screens, streams and virtual music scenes, we often lose sight of the energy and dedication that goes into creating a killer beat or catchy melody. While virtual works in a pinch, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the bass and the buzz of live music. Fortunately, our local music scene offers an abundance of opportunities when it comes to enjoying fantastic live music, especially during the summer months. Whether you’re in the mood to set up your beach chair and kick back at a free concert on the beach or soak up the smooth sounds of jazz and bluegrass along the river, you’re sure to enjoy one or all of these live outdoor concerts happening throughout the community in the months ahead.

Bands on the Beach

Each year, from April through October, you can enjoy free outdoor concerts on Pensacola Beach. This highly anticipated summer 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 every Tuesday night from 7 to 9 pm. Grab some friends, pack the cooler and lawn-chairs and head out to the beach for one or all of these free beachside concerts. Pets and glassware are not permitted. Check out the full lineup of scheduled performances at visitpensacolabeach.com.

Upcoming Performances:

• June 4: The New Cahoots

• June 11: 2Eleven

• June 18: Float Like a Buffalo

• June 25: Vinyl Revival

• July 2: Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs

• July 9: Still Standing, a Tribute to Elton John

• July 16: On the Rox

• July 23: Stormfolk

• July 30: Tyler Mac

• August 6: Blackwater Country

• August 13: The Astronauts

• August 20: Yard Lights

• August 27: Cristi Dee’s Bad Juju

Blues on the Bay

Keep those lawn chairs at bay for Blues on the Bay, a series of free outdoor performances held at the Community Maritime Park Amphitheater in downtown Pensacola. Hosted by the City of Pensacola and Blues Angel Music, this free summer concert series is held on select Sunday evenings when the Blue Wahoos are away. Pack your picnic basket and lawn chairs and head out to the Hunter Amphitheater to enjoy some of the region’s top musical talent and sweeping views of Pensacola Bay. Concerts begin at 6 pm and are free and open to the public. Guests of all ages are invited to attend this free summer concert series. For updates and complete event details on this year’s scheduled performances, check out @PlayPensacola and @BluesAngelMusic on Facebook.

Upcoming Performances:

• June 2: Goldmine

• June 30: The Blenders

• July 7: Rain Date

Bands on the Bayou

Brought to you by the East Hill Neighborhood Association in partnership with the City of Pensacola, Bands on the Bayou is a communitycentric concert series that gives back to our local community. This neighborhood concert series features local and regional talent representing a variety of music genres. Concerts are held on the bank of Bayou Texar at Bayview Park located in the East Hill neighborhood of Pensacola at 2001 E. Lloyd St. Members of the community are invited to bring chairs and blankets to set up on the lawn outside of the Bayview Community Center during concerts. Boat access is also available and guests are welcome to take in the tunes from their own watercraft. Local food trucks will also be onsite to dish up tasty snacks and foods for concert-goers. Through contributions from local sponsors, this concert series is free and open to the public. Proceeds from the event directly benefit local non-profit organizations throughout our community. Food vendors begin serving at 4:30 pm and bands start at 6:30 pm. Check out the full calendar of upcoming concerts and more at bandsonthebayou.com.

Upcoming Performances:

• July 27: Cowboy Park

Event proceeds will benefit local nonprofit organization Upwards Intuition, whose mission is to inspire and empower the next generations. Proceeds will help Upward Intuition construct a new skatepark in East Hill. Show your support by visiting their tent and making a donation at the July Concert.

• October 5: Bay Bridge Band

Event proceeds will benefit local nonprofits, Rally Gulf Coast and SurvivorLed Solutions. Proceeds will directly support Rally’s mission to fund research for childhood cancer and to sponsor survivors of sexual exploitation for an all-inclusive LeadHer Retreat through Survivor-Led Solutions. Show your support by visiting their tents and making a donation at the October Concert.

Bands on the Blackwater

Held each spring from April to June along the west bank of the Blackwater River in Milton, the Bands on the Blackwater 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 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 on-site dishing up delicious eats for attendees to enjoy. Check out @BandsOnTheBlackwater on Facebook for updates and the complete lineup of scheduled performances for 2024.

Upcoming Performances:

• June 7: Hired Guns

• June 14: The Modern Eldorados

• August 30: TBA

• September 6, 13, 20 & 27: TBA

• October 4, 11, 18 & 25: TBA

Opera al Fresco

Join Pensacola Opera for an evening of beautiful music—al fresco! Pensacola Opera will present another installment of its popular pop-up concert series, Opera al Fresco, on June 18 at the Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheatre. Featuring some of the Opera’s most talented artists, Opera al Fresco brings live music to parks and green spaces throughout the community for all to enjoy. The evening will include a lovely concert of fan-favorite opera, musical theatre and popular tunes. Pensacola Opera has partnered with West Florida Libraries and the Southwest Branch Library to provide free entrance to the park for the concert. Simply present your library card at the gate for free admittance into the park for Opera al Fresco on June 18. The concert will be held from 6 to 7 pm. There is no cost to attend and RSVPs are not required. Big Lagoon State Park is located at 12301 Gulf Beach Hwy. Visit pensacolaopera.com for more information.

Escape the summer heat at the 10th

Annual Fish

House Craft Beer Festival on June 15 at the Fish House Deck in downtown Pensacola.

Held each year on the Saturday before Father’s Day, this signature event features more than 50 varieties of beer from local and regional breweries.

“Our annual craft beer festival is one of our many events that I look forward to the most. It’s such a fun and exciting event, connecting with and having the opportunity to work with many great local and national breweries. Having 30 plus vendors to go to and sample some of their flagship and seasonal brews brings people together for a fun and enjoyable time,” Great Southern Beverage Manager Dean Clark said.

This event is designed to give attendees a taste of a large variety of handcrafted beers, providing opportunities to sample a number of different brews to determine one’s preferences. Microbrews, craft beer and specialty bottled beers will be available for tasting.

by Morgan Cole

The festival attracts beer fanatics from near and far, with a sell-out crowd of nearly 700 attendees each year.

The event will feature tasty craft brews from a number of local and regional breweries, including Props Craft Brewery Company (Fort Walton Beach, FL), Ghost Train Brewery (Birmingham, AL), Ology Brewing Co. (Tallahassee, FL), Braided River Brewing Co. (Mobile, AL), Urban South (New Orleans, LA), Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, PA), Grayton Beer Company (Grayton Beach, FL), Wicked Weed Brewing Pub (Ashville, NC), Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, FL) and Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, MI).

Ten local breweries will be stationed in Local’s Lane, each offering tastings of three to four of their crafty concoctions for you to enjoy. Some of the local breweries participating in this year’s event include McGuire’s, Pensacola Bay Brewery, Perfect Plain Brewing Co., Doc’s Hop Shop, Emerald Republic, Props Brewery and Fairhope Brewing Company.

The event will also feature Spirit Alley, a designated area with regional and national vendors showcasing their new spirits and offering spirit tastings. Some featured spirit companies will include Diageo: Crown Royal Canned Cocktails, Texacraft: Sour Pickle Flavored Vodka and XXI Martini: Peach and Raspberry Martini liqueurs.

Each year, the Fish House donates a portion of event proceeds to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and their mission to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

“At Great Southern, giving back to Pensacola is something that has always meant so much to us. We have been partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida for this event since its inception. Our Craft Beer Festival is such a fun way to give back and reach so many people that

might not know the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Being able to work alongside an organization that invests so much to empower the children in our community is something we are so incredibly proud to support,” Great Southern Marketing and Event Coordinator Taylor Dawson said.

The 10th Annual Fish House Craft Beer Fest will be held on June 15 from 3 to 6 pm on the Fish House and Atlas Decks at 600 S. Barracks St. in downtown Pensacola. This is a 21-and-over event and will occur rain or shine.

Tickets are on sale now for $40 (plus tax) and can be purchased online at greatsouthernrestaurants.com/shop, or in-person at the Fish House Tackle Shop. Ticket holders will receive a souvenir beer glass, full access to all of the beers and spirits and a pretzel necklace to soak up the suds.

For complete event details, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com/events.

JUNE COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Schedule

June Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium

For more information and tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola

June 4 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

June 5 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

June 6 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

June 7 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

June 8 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

June 9 at 4:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

June 18 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

June 19 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

June 20 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

June 21 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

June 22 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

June 23 at 4:05 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

Blue Angels Practice Dates

. . . . . . . . . June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 25, 26 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

East Hill Makers Market

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June 4

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Enjoy an afternoon of shopping, food trucks and kids activities at the East Hill Makers Market. Hosted at Cordova Square by the East Hill Neighborhood Association, the market will feature over 40 craft and food vendors. Come shop, meet and mingle with your neighbors from 3 to 6 pm. This event is free and open to the

public. Cordova Square is located at 1101 N. 12th Avenue. For more information, visit myeasthill. org/market.

Murder Mystery & Comedy Show

June 14

Pensacola Splash Fest

The Happy Together Tour

June 4

2024 will mark the fifteenth year of the highly successful, hit-filled summer package, The Happy Together Tour. The touring sensation that has criss-crossed the nation delighting audiences for over a decade returns this summer with a show full of chart-topping hits from the 60s and 70s—an undeniable 61 Billboard Top 40 smashes. The tour is once again joined by The Turtles, who also act as musical hosts for the evening, as well as Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues and The Cowsills. The show will take place at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox St. Doors open at 7 pm and showtime is 8 pm. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Flora-Bama’s 11th Annual Fishing Rodeo

June 7-9

The “Funnest” Fishing Tournament on the Gulf Coast—the Flora-Bama’s Annual Fishing Rodeo— is the “Every Man’s” fishing rodeo. Join the FloraBama team for a weekend of fishing, festivities and fun. The Fishing Rodeo is a 3-day Captain’s Choice tournament with anglers competing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in 30 categories. Accompanying the tournament will be a three day beach party and awards ceremony that will include daily weigh-ins with a viewing area, live music, great food, vendor booths and hospitality done in true Flora-Bama fashion! Bring all the family and friends for a fun packed weekend.

The Flora-Bama is located at 17401 Perdido Key Dr. in Pensacola. To register, get tickets or learn more about the event, visit florabama.com/ fishing-rodeo.

Pensacola International Billfish Tournament

. June 12-16

The Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club will host its 53rd annual Pensacola International Billfish Tournament. For those who have not fished the Pensacola International Billfish tournament hosted by the PBGFC, you are in for a treat. The tournament is during the hottest billfish action of the season. The event kicks off on June 12 with a captain’s meeting and ends June 16 with an awards banquet. The Pensacola International Billfish Tournament is hosted at the Palafox Pier & Yacht Harbor, located at 997 S. Palafox St. For more information, visit pbgfc.com/pensacolainternational-billfish.

Calling all sleuths! America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre is now playing in Pensacola. Get ready to laugh and solve a mystery while enjoying a delicious murder mystery-themed dinner. The Dinner Detetive’s engaging and unique murder mystery theatre performances have been playing across the country since 2004. Come out for an evening full of intrigue, hilarity and unscripted moments you simply can’t find anywhere else. The Murder Mystery & Comedy Show will be hosted from 6 to 10 pm at 5eleven Palafox (511 S. Palafox St.). For tickets and more information, visit facebook. com/5elevenpalafox.

White Tie Rock Ensemble Presents Americana Rock

June 22

The White Tie Rock Ensemble is bringing their tribute to Americana Rock to the Pensacola Bay Center. The event will feature music from Americana Rock’s biggest artists including the Eagles, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Steve Miller Band, John Mellencap and Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. Doors open at 7 pm and the event begins at 8 pm. The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E. Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and other information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

A Night of Smooth Jazz at The Gordon

June 29

Stop by The Gordon Community Arts Center in downtown Pensacola for A Night of Smooth Jazz. On June 29, jazz musician Christopher Rhodes will take the stage and perform with styles from the likes of Marcus Miller, Stanley Clark and Wayman Tisdale. Rhodes will be playing two shows during the evening, with the first show set to begin at 6:30 pm and the second at 9 pm. The Gordon is located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. in downtown Pensacola. Tickets to the event are $35. For tickets and more information, visit lalabeanmusic.com.

Firecracker 5K

June 29

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The annual Firecracker 5K is back! Run for a cause in this annual race that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities. The race will take place in historic downtown Pensacola, starting and ending at Seville Quarter (130 E. Government St.). Both runners and walkers alike are invited to join in on the fun. Kids are also invited to participate in a fun run following the main 5K. Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to this Fourth of July-themed race. For more information or to register, visit rmhc-nwfl. org/events/firecracker-5k.

June 29

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Come cool off and have some fun at the 2nd Annual Pensacola Splash Fest. Hosted at Community Maritime Park in downtown Pensacola, the event will feature numerous water slide bounce houses, water obstacle courses, slip ‘n slides, dunk tank, corn hole, a watermelon eating competition and more. The day of family fun begins at 10 am and runs until 7 pm. Wristbands will be issued at entrance to those who wish to enjoy all of the slides/bounce houses all day long. For advanced tickets and more information, visit apexshowsandevents. com/6%2F29-splash-fest.

Pensacola Habitat For Humanity Takeover Night At Blue Wahoos Stadium

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July 3

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity (PHH) will be taking over the stadium at the Blue Wahoos home game on July 3. During the game, PHH staff and volunteers will be filling the concession stands, selling tickets, participating in on-field activities, handing out freebies and more. This evening of baseball, community and partnership will help raise thousands of dollars for PHH’s mission of providing affordable homeownership opportunities in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. The night will begin at 6 pm and come to a close around 9 pm with a spectacular fireworks show. 100% of proceeds from tickets sold by PHH benefit their mission. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolahabitat.org.

Fireworks at the Beach

July 4

Head over to beautiful Pensacola Beach to get into the patriotic spirit this Fourth of July! Enjoy the white sands and crashing waves of the beach. Be sure to keep your eyes on the night sky this Fourth of July for a dazzling fireworks display over the Santa Rosa Sound. This year, the Beach Chamber is joining forces with the Downtown Pensacola fireworks show, creating a spectacular dual Independence Day celebration in the sky! Both firework shows will simulcast live on Cat Country 98.7 radio station. Eventgoers are asked to tune into the station starting at 9 p.m. for the singing of the National Anthem, followed by patriotic music to accompany both firework displays. The show will begin at 9 pm at the sound side along the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. For more information, visit pensacolabeachchamber.com.

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

PACE, FLORIDA NATIVE RECOGNIZED AS NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND’S 2023 SAILOR OF THE YEAR

BY JAMES STOCKMAN, NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC 616) returned to their home port in Pensacola, April 27, 2024, after a two-month deployment spent conducting a living marine resources patrol in the Gulf of Mexico, undergoing a maintenance availability at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, and later responding to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Naval Education and Training Command’s (NETC) recognized a Pace, Florida native and 2008 graduate of Wewahitchka High School as its 2023 Sailor of the Year (SOY) during a ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola on May 16.

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Brandon Tifft, an instructor at Maritime Skills Training Center Pacific, San Diego, was one of four finalists acknowledged for their dedication in developing and delivering combat-ready warfighters to the fleet.

“This command has put me in front of hundreds of Sailors that have made me a better leader, instructor and mentor,” Tifft said. “Instructing five different courses across all ranks of our community gives me the opportunity

to listen to Sailors from different platforms and share my love for being a boatswain’s mate.”

Tifft credits much of his success to the values he gained while growing up in a small, western Florida community.

“Growing up in a small town, I learned how important your community is and helping people when they need it,” Tifft said. “When your neighbor needs your help, you stop what you’re doing no matter how important and help them out. I find many similarities throughout my naval career and reflect on the impact it has had on me. When a junior Sailor asks for training or help with something, no matter how important I think what I am doing is, nothing is more important than stopping and helping that Sailor. I have seen first-hand as a junior Sailor the impact it had on me when I would ask for training and leadership pushed me to the side for tasks that are more ‘important’. I treat my division as my community and each Sailor as my neighbor; I will always stop to help.”

Like many of those who answered our nation’s call to service, Tifft joined the Navy to gain a sense of purpose and to continue his family’s legacy of military service.

“My grandfather served in the military, and it always made me proud seeing how much he loved his country,” Tifft said. “Speaking with my dad one day, I told him that I was struggling to find purpose or value in what I was doing after no longer being able to play college football due to injury. We talked about the military, and I thought about my grandpa’s stories from Germany during World War II and the thought of one day telling my grandkids my own stories about serving my country. I wanted to be a part of a team again; I wanted to do something that meant something. I wanted to make my grandpa proud. I went to the recruiter and soon found that the Navy was the missing piece.”

Working as an instructor at a Navy schoolhouse, Tifft sees firsthand the challenges that young Sailors face during training, and he offers a piece of advice to anyone considering military service.

“I would tell anyone considering the Navy that it can be the best decision of your life, or it can be the hardest decision of your life,” Tifft said. “No easy job comes with real fulfillment and respect. A Navy career will be challenging and difficult, but you will make everyone you know proud that you served your country and sacrificed for the freedom of everyone you love.”

Sailors serving throughout the MyNavy HR Force Development domain competed against nearly 11,000 instructors and staff members for this prestigious distinction. Tifft and the other three finalists demonstrated superior sustained performance in their roles, excelling as leaders and mentors at their respective commands.

“The close competition at this level is a testament to our four finalists and to their professionalism and dedication,” said Rear Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko, NETC’s commander, who provided remarks at the ceremony. “Each of these Sailors has been an inspiration to their friends, families and shipmates. I look forward to hearing of their continued success throughout their naval careers.”

As the NETC SOY, Tifft will be promoted to chief petty officer.

Other SOY finalists included:

• Navy Diver 1st Class Zachary Corrente, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City, Florida

• Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class John M. Pintore, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, Detachment Lakehurst, New Jersey

• Musician 1st Class Colin R. Greggs, Naval School of Music, Virginia Beach, Virginia

NETC recruits, trains and delivers those who serve our nation, taking them from “street to fleet,” by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat-ready warfighters.

For more information about NETC, visit the command’s website at netc.navy.mil.

SingIN THE SUMMER WITH PENSACOLA OPERA

An evening with Nicole Heinen, kicking off our NEW Opera After Dark series! 7 PM, $25 Pensacola Opera Center