Downtown Crowd, March 2024

Downtown Crowd

Pensacola

5

always remind me that there are good things in this world.”

Vincent Van Gogh

DOWNTOWN CROWD | MARCH 2024

Editor’s Letter

Morgan Cole, Editor

As I write this, I am sitting outside on my back patio soaking up all that this beautiful (almost) spring day has to offer. Temperatures are finally warming up and it’s starting to feel a little like spring. March 19 marks the first official day of spring, and it’s about time! The change in weather has me excited to get back outside and start enjoying some of my favorite activities again—a stark contrast to spending my winter days in hibernation.

Luckily, there are plenty of fun things to do in the springtime in Pensacola, and March kicks off the season with a bang! From festive St. Patrick’s Day happenings and First City Art Center’s Hot Glass Cold Brew event to the return of VegFest at the Community Maritime Park, there’s no shortage of springtime fun here in Pensacola.

In this issue, we’ve brought you the scoop on all of the local St. Patrick’s Day happenings taking place in venues across the city, details on Pensacola Little Theatre’s annual Cabaret fundraiser, the first Hot Glass Cold Brew event of 2024 and more. As you can see, there are tons of exciting things happening in Pensacola this month, so get outside and soak up all that the coming spring has to offer. As always, we hope you enjoy the read and until next time, Cheers!

5 Questions with Creatives

Hucklebeary Art

Daisy is a digital illustrator and the owner of Hucklebeary Art, through which they sell their colorful and whimsical illustrations in various formats. From cozy cottagecore-inspired designs featuring mushrooms, fairies and frogs, to bright and playful characters like lovable animals, Daisy’s designs are cute and quirky.

Daisy regularly attends local markets, which are announced throughout the month on their Instagram and Facebook pages. They recently debuted a soft-launch of their website, hucklebearyart.com, and are planning for an official website launch in the coming months. To view more of their work and keep up with Hucklebeary Art, follow @HucklebearyArt on Instagram or @HucklebearyArtist on Facebook.

Let’s start with you telling me a little bit about yourself and your professional and artistic background.

I’ve lived in Pensacola since I was about 3 years old, but I was born in Virginia since my dad was in the Navy at the time. I attended a whopping one course at Pensacola State College, but quickly decided that college just wasn’t for me and went for various job experiences instead. Ironically, most of my previous work is in the restaurant industry, but I’d say that my time being a baker ended up being a huge inspiration for my artwork in the end. I would consider myself a digital illustrator. While I use digital media to create, I really do like trying to recreate traditional aesthetics and techniques when I draw. The sketchiness of pencils and the brush strokes of oil and gouache paint is especially appealing to me.

How did you get interested in creating? Have you always been interested in art?

My grandparents on both sides were creatives, in different ways. My Grandaddy (dad’s dad) was an architect and woodworker, so he had a very methodical and mathematical mind (which I did not inherit!), but he also had a deep love for nature that I do very much share. My Grandma (mom’s mom) was a painter, sculptor, seamstress and musician, just about everything creative.

She made stunning watercolor pieces and was my first introduction to painting when I was very young. I credit a lot of my inspiration and talent to the both of them.

Tell me about the inspiration or influence behind your work.

A huge inspiration for me is definitely nature, in both its beauty and sometimes the less attractive parts. I’ve focused a lot on the beautiful parts in the past, but don’t be surprised if some slightly macabre pieces pop up now and then!

Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is a great influence of mine as well, and a great example of blending the beautiful, cute and creepy together. Other inspirations are Alphonse Mucha, Cicely Mary Barker, Glen and Claire Keane, as well as the wonderful collection of video games I’ve played over the years.

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

It usually starts with me seeing a single object, and piece by piece the rest of the image will start to come together in my mind. Sometimes this is sparked by actually seeing a physical subject in real life, and other times it’s just a random thought that triggers the rest. The sketching is always the hardest part; translating the idea to the canvas. If I showed the world what the sketch layers of my pieces were, I think some people

would not believe they were made by the same artist! Playing with color is my favorite part of any piece, and very often works will go through whole rainbows of color palettes before I settle on one.

Tell me a little bit about the different types of pieces you create. 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 main product right now is art prints, in various sizes. I, like many other artists, don’t want people to feel like having art straight from the artist is inaccessible—it really isn’t! And it really adds a special touch to your space. However, I often get the comment from many that they just simply do not have any more room for artwork on their walls (which really makes my heart happy!), so I also offer things like stickers, keychains and bookmarks. I’m working very hard to bring a line of stationery for school, office and letter writing needs. Currently my most popular items are my stickers. I mean, who doesn’t love stickers? It helps that they’re durable vinyl, so they can take a beating. The most requested sticker would either be my cat croissant, or the hamster Bob Ross. A fun fact I like to share about the Bob Ross one is the little canvas he’s working on is an actual Joy of Painting episode I followed along with (to the best of my ability).

by Nicole Willis

Hot Glass Cold Brew returns with “art in Bloom”

by Morgan Cole

Celebrate the arrival of spring with First City art Center (FCAC) at the first Hot Glass Cold Brew (HGCB) event of 2024.

Hosted annually by the FCAC, this popular series of themed events is designed to celebrate art and the community, while also supporting local artists. This year’s HGCB event series will kick off with “Art in Bloom” on March 8 at the First City Art Center in downtown Pensacola.

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, HGCB has grown to become one of FCAC’s most popular fundraising events, where guests have the opportunity to choose from more than 600 hand-crafted glass or ceramic cups to be filled with samplings of tasty craft beers throughout the evening.

“Art in Bloom will feature special guest glass artist Dan Alexander of St. Petersburg, Fla. His work is exceedingly

technical and includes functional vessels as well as large-scale sculptures. He draws you into the exciting world of creating something made from 2,100°F of molten glass,” First City Art Center Executive Director Bart Hudson said.

HGCB “Art in Bloom” will feature live glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, live music, local food trucks, kid’s activities, a gallery opening showcasing the works of FCAC’s Gallery 1060 artists and more.

Guests will also have a chance to enjoy a variety of tasty fare from some of Pensacola’s top-rated food trucks including Double Dippers, Rolling Embers and Cactus Flower. Pensacola Bay Brewery will provide the assortment of flavorful brews available for sampling throughout the evening.

Other event festivities include a special art market hosted by the FCAC Ceramics Guild. The market will feature numerous artist and vendors selling items like pottery, jewelry, handmade bath and body products, pet accessories, resin and multimedia art, clothing and more.

“In addition to our guest glass artist doing demonstrations, our highly accomplished sculpture artist Sam Nettles will be doing a demonstration, and our clay guild will be holding court in the Martha Brooks McKee Education Annex. A big favorite of the HGCB crowd, The White Sands Panhandle Band, will also be entertaining guests with their great sound of bluegrass, country and rockabilly,” Hudson explained.

Organized by FCAC staff and with the extraordinary help of nearly 75 volunteers, more than 650 individuals attend each HGCB event, with all proceeds directly benefiting FCAC and its programs.

“It is always an exciting moment to open the gates for HGCB. Our friends are genuinely excited to be here and experience all that First City has to offer. The creativity is extraordinary and the community even more so. Truly, the ART of the city,” Hudson said.

FCAC members will have first dibs on selecting their cup, with early entry to the event at 5 pm for $25 per ticket. Non-members have the option to purchase tickets in advance or in-person at the event for $35. Nonmembers who purchase tickets prior to the event will be granted entry at 5:30 pm, while tickets at the gate will go on sale at 6 pm.

Tickets include a handmade artisan glass or ceramic cup and two complimentary craft beer fills (or wine) for adults ages 21 and older. Children under the age of 12 will be admitted for free with a paying adult.

Kick off your spring at HGCB “Art in Bloom” on Friday, March 8 at the First City Art Center at 1060 N. Guillemard St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and complete event details, visit firstcityart.org.

Hot Glass Cold Brew

Friday, May 17

Hot Glass Cold Brew

Friday, December 6

18th Annual Pumpkin Patch

Friday, October 4 &

October 5

WE’VE MOVED

Pensacola VegFest Vegan Food, Fun & Festivities

by Carey L. Clarkson

Pensacola’s VegFest is back for its sixth annual celebration of all things vegan with a family-friendly day of music, art, face painting, yoga, jewelry making and, of course, food!

Held at the Community Maritime Park in downtown Pensacola on March 23, this year’s Vegfest will feature more than 50 registered vendors for attendees to enjoy.

First debuting in Pensacola in 2018, VegFest began when Whitney MacLeod, Pensacola VegFest President, and a small group of local vegans wanted to spread their philosophy on veganism, including the lifestyle’s health and environmental benefits through an interactive event that combined live cooking demonstrations with education.

VegFest has grown to become one of the most popular spring events in the city, drawing more than 5,000 attendees each year. Since its inception, the event has evolved to include a number of local and regional vendors, with last year’s event attracting 6,000 attendees.

This annual family-friendly event is a celebration of compassionate living featuring fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Attendees will enjoy plant-based cruelty-free foods, eco-friendly vendors and vegan artists. This year’s event will also include live music, free yoga sessions, cooking demonstrations and more.

The festival will host a wide range of vendors this year, from Brazilian vegan cuisine and vegan seafood to vegan ice cream and desserts. One returning favorite is Turtle Roll Ice Cream, who first participated in the event in 2023.

Turtle Roll Ice Cream owner, Charlene Cook, began participating in the event as a way to promote and expand on their sorbet-only vegan options. After experimenting with some different recipes, Charlene was able to perfect her tasty vegan sorbet, which was a huge hit at last year’s

“[I am] most looking forward to seeing people return who discovered us last year. I can’t wait to see their inner child come out when they discover our vegan ice creams, sundaes, banana splits and milkshakes,” Cook said.

Join in the food, fun and festivities at the 6th Annual Pensacola Vegfest on March 23 from 11 am to 6 pm at the Community Maritime Park located at 301 W. Main St. in downtown Pensacola.

General admission tickets are on sale for $5 each and can be purchased online at pensacolavegfest.com.

“Last year’s event sold out within just a few days of launching the tickets, so we have expanded our available VIV tickets for this year,” MacLeod explained.

VIV (Very Important Vegan) tickets are also available for $30 each, which include free parking, exciting VegFest swag, a tote bag, assorted vegan goodies from event sponsors and exclusive VIV ticket-holder merchandise.

For tickets and complete event details, visit pensacolavegfest.com or @PensacolaVegFest on Instagram and Facebook.

On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated throughout the world. This centuries-old holiday originated as a day to go to church and honor Saint Patrick. Over time, the holiday has shifted into a full-blown celebration of Irish culture. When it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day here in Pensacola, we do it like the Irish! From beachside pub crawls and hefty servings of Irish fare to festive prediction runs in the city streets, there’s no shortage of St. Patrick’s Day events happening throughout downtown Pensacola. Here are some of our favorite local events and annual celebrations to help you kick off St. Patty’s Day.

Grog March Pub Crawl at O’Riley’s Irish Pub

When: March 2

Where: O’Riley’s Irish Pub, downtown Pensacola

O’Riley’s Irish Pub will host its annual Grog March pub crawl on March 4 to benefit Manna Food Pantries. The pub crawl will kick off at 4 pm at O’Riley’s Irish Pub in downtown Pensacola and then make its way to other local bars across the city. The pub crawl will conclude with a special afterparty at O’Riley’s Irish Pub at 10 pm featuring music, entertainment and prize giveaways. Featured drinks and refill specials will be offered at each of the pub crawl stops, including craft beers and cocktails such as the Grog Punch. Other participating venues include O’Riley’s Uptown Tavern, Mugs & Jugs, Sir Richard’s Public House and more. The cost to participate is $15, which includes a 22-ounce Grog March mug, a limited-edition Grog March t-shirt and themed lanyard (while supplies last). Participants are also encouraged to bring two canned food items for donation to Manna Food Bank. You must be 21+ years of age to participate. For tickets and information, visit orileyspub.com or check out the Grog March event page on O’Riley’s Facebook page.

*In addition to the Grog March, each location (Downtown, Uptown, Mugs & Jugs and Sir Richard’s Public House) will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Each location will have specials and featured drinks related to St. Patrick’s Day. More details TBA.

by Morgan Cole & Nicole Willis

47th Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Prediction 5K Run

When: March 9

Where: McGuires Irish Pub, downtown Pensacola

Get your run on in the 47th Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Run on March 9 in downtown Pensacola. Dress up in your wackiest green ensemble and join more than 5,000 racers for the largest 5K prediction run in the country. Crossing the finish line is just the beginning, come for the run and stay for the party! The cost to register is $45 and all ages are welcome. Race registration fees include a McGuire’s Run shirt and access to the best post-race party around, with live entertainment, Irish fare and cocktails, beer and soft drinks. Packet pickup is on Friday, March 8 from 10 am to 8 pm and on race day from 6:30 am to 8 am. The certified 5K course (3.1 miles) starts and finishes at McGuire’s Irish Pub. Participants must be able to run or walk 3.1 miles in under one hour as the course will open to traffic at 10 am. Stragglers will be picked up by McGuire’s bus. For registration and complete event details, visit mcguiresirishpub.com.

Seville Quarter’s St. Patrick’s Celebration

When: March 12-17

Where: Seville Quarter, downtown Pensacola

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

6th Annual “I Sang Karaoke After the McGuire’s Run” Party

When: March 9

Where: Perfect Plain & Garden & Grain, downtown Pensacola

After you’ve run your heart out at the Annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run, head over to Perfect Plain and Garden & Grain for a post-race karaoke party! Perfect Plain and Garden & Grain will be open to serve delicious brews to the crowd of thirsty runners. Enjoy singing your favorite tunes during karaoke, grab a bite to eat from Sauce Boss Burger Co. and try out some of the drinks on the pop-up “Luck of the Irish” menu including Irish whiskey, adult Capri Suns, beer specials and more! The event begins at 12 pm, but Perfect Plain will open early for the runners at 9 am. For more information, visit perfectplain.com.

Crawl With Us Lucky Bar Crawl

When: March 16

Where: Multiple venues, downtown Pensacola

Enjoy some St. Patty’s-themed drinks during the Lucky Bar Crawl in downtown Pensacola. Explore the various flavors at some of Pensacola’s favorite bars—Garden & Grain, Perennial Patio Bar, Perfect Plain and The Well. Check-in is at 4 pm at 86 Forks Bar + Table. Each location on the crawl will have their own drink specials, including a $5 select shot of Irish whiskey. The night’s fun ends with an after party from 10 pm to 12 pm. To view full drink specials, buy tickets and more, visit bit.ly/SaintPattysCrawl.

Live and Dangerous at Dino’s Bar & Grill

When: March 17

Where: The Handlebar, downtown Pensacola

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, The Handlebar will be bringing you the best songs from all of your favorite Irish rock bands! For the afternoon, The Handlebar will transform into “Dino’s Bar & Grill,” which is the name of a spot mentioned in Irish band Thin Lizzy’s The Boys are Back in Town. On the topic of Thin Lizzy, Pensacola Metal and Rock Consortium (PMRC) will be performing covers of the group’s top hits. Deadly Fists of Kung Fu will also be performing covers of another Irish band, U2. While enjoying renditions of your favorite Irish bands, be sure to grab a drink and a bite from Sauce Boss Burger Co. This event is free and begins at 2 pm at 319 N. Tarragona St. For more information, visit facebook.com/thehandlebar850.

Ice Flyers St. Patrick’s Celebration

When: March 16

Where: Pensacola Bay Center, downtown Pensacola

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

St. Patrick’s Day Oyster Roast at Emerald Republic

When: March 17

Where: Emerald Republic Brewing Co., downtown Pensacola

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Emerald Republic Brewing Co. for an oyster roast with Grayson Bay Oyster Co. and Emerald Coast Oyster Co. from 11 am to 3 pm. Emerald Coast Oyster Co. will be shucking up oysters with both raw and a variety of cooked options available. Wash those oysters down with a hand-crafted ERBC beer or one of their tasty beer flights to match your oyster order. If beer’s not your thing, a wide selection of liquor, specialty crafted cocktails, premium wines, sodas and non-alcoholic options will also be available. You don’t want to miss this one, it’s going to be a shucking good time! For more information, visit emeraldrepublicbrewing.com or facebook.com/emeraldrepublicbrewing/events.

Pensacola Beach Saint Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl

When: March 17

Where: Multiple venues, Pensacola Beach

Go Irish on the Island for the 37th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl on March 17 at Pensacola Beach. Hosted by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, this annual pub crawl includes 15+ participating beach bars, restaurants and hotels serving up Irish drink specials, music, mayhem and mischief. The fun kicks off at 9 am at Crabs We Got ‘Em with free breakfast served from 9 to 10 am with the purchase of a $10 drink. A map of participating stops will be provided. While it’s a celebration of Irish culture and traditions, the St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl—in memory of event founder John Patrick “Paddy” Blake—is a fundraising event for the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit corporation. Official St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl t-shirts will be sold for $20 at each of the participating locations and the Visitor Information Center on Pensacola Beach. The Chamber will donate a portion of the t-shirt proceeds to Covenant Care in Blake’s name.Visit pensacolabeachchamber.com/go-irish-onthe-island/ for more information.

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If you have recently been married in or around the Pensacola area and have an interest in appearing on the cover of the annual Weddings issue of Pensacola Magazine, visit ballingerpublishing.com/weddings2024 and submit up to three high-resolution images of your wedding for a chance to be featured on the next cover!

SUBMISSIONS DUE BY March 15 , 2024

Editorial-style shots by a professional photographer are preferred. Please include the full name(s) of the bride, groom and photographer. Visit ballingerpublishing.com/weddings2024 for submission guidelines and complete details.

by Austin Mason

CCabaret A Grand Celebration of the Arts

abaret, Pensacola Little Theatre’s (PLT) annual celebration of art, is back for another year of art-themed fun. The theme for this year’s artful celebration is “Express Yourself,” and attendees can expect to see a variety of artistic mediums and expressions seamlessly blended to showcase art as the life of the party.

This year’s Cabaret will be held on April 6 at the Clark Family Cultural Center located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. A vibrant playhouse vibe will completely transform the theatre and surrounding blocks into an indoor and outdoor entertainment complex.

Serving as PLT’s largest fundraising event of the year, Cabaret plays a significant role in helping the theatre raise the funding needed for its annual programs and performances.

“We’ve had every theme you can imagine decades, colors, cities, shows but Cabaret: Express Yourself is set to be the most interactive, dramatic experience yet,” Susan Clark Waters, committee chair and presenting sponsor said. “Collaboration of the arts in Pensacola is a gift, and one unforgettable party fusing them all together helps fund an entire year of shows led by our talented volunteer artists.”

Guests can expect to experience every form of art from ballet, drag performances and aerial dancing to singing, orchestral performances and so much more.

“This year, the theme is Cabaret: Express Yourself, which speaks to the very heart of what our nonprofit is all about: artistic expression. [During

the event,] The Center is divided into rooms by artistic expression, leading guests through music, dance, fashion, fine art, digital media, self-expression, and every creative corner in-between. As we unveil the full interior renovations of The Clark Family Cultural Center on April 6 at Cabaret, we wanted to showcase both the building and the mission in this year’s theme.” PLT Executive Director Sid Williams-Heath said.

The event is a labor of love for those who have found a home at PLT. “It takes a village to Cabaret,” Williams-Heath said. “I couldn’t possibly list and thank all of the brilliant minds who make Cabaret happen – it would take the whole article! The board drives the sales; the staff leads the execution; the volunteer artists provide the talent; our creative collaborations of dancers, singers, DJs, musicians, culinary art, and so much more absolutely make the party. The core Cabaret committee is full of the most talented souls I’ve ever met, which includes my

drives the involvement, and if there isn’t buy-in from that core group, the celebration just won’t work.”

Profits from this annual fundraiser allow PLT to continue to deliver diverse theatrical experiences to children and adults through performances, volunteer opportunities and educational outreach programs in our community. “At Cabaret, we put the art front and center to showcase the purpose and the passion behind the party so you can get a glimpse into what you’re funding. Anyone in the community can perform with us free of charge and our goal is to provide access to arts and arts education to Pensacola, whether that’s on the performance side or the patron experience,” Williams-Heath said.

Tickets for this black tie event are set at $150 per person and include access to the entire event. For tickets and event details, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com/cabaret.

MARCH COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Ice Flyers Schedule and Theme Nights

March home games and theme nights at the Pensacola Bay Center. For tickets and information, visit iceflyers.com.

March 1 at 7:05 pm - Fayetteville Marksmen vs Ice Flyers; Small Dog Race Night II

March 2 at 7:05 pm - Fayetteville Marksmen vs Ice Flyers; Bushwackers Night

March 15 at 7:05 pm - Huntsville Havoc vs Ice Flyers; Youth Sports Night

March 16 at 7:05 pm - Huntsville Havoc vs Ice Flyers; St. Patrick’s Celebration

March 29 at 7:05 pm - Evansville Thunderbolts vs Ice Flyers; Fan Friday

March 30 at 7:05 pm - Evansville Thunderbolts vs Ice Flyers; Military Appreciation Night

March 31 at 4:05 pm - Macon Mayhem vs Ice Flyers; Friends and Family Night

Sun Belt Basketball Championship Games

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 5 - March 11

Division I basketball has landed in Pensacola! The men’s and women’s Sun Belt Basketball Championship Tournament will be held at the Pensacola Bay Center. For one week, watch some of the best athletes in college basketball face off for their chance to win big to make it to the 2024 NCAA Division I Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament. Throughout the week, enjoy high-action games, entertainment from team bands and cheer squads, Fan Fest, a dribble drive, and more! The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E. Gregory St. Game times vary each day. For game dates, times and tickets, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Joe Bonamassa @ Pensacola Saenger Theatre

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 7

Having just earned a remarkable 26th #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart for his sprawling and extensive live concert film and album Tales Of Time, Joe Bonamassa’s upcoming album Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 finds him returning to his roots and giving new life to the classic tracks that have formed his own artistry. This guitar superstar will be taking the stage at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre this month. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 S. Palafox St. Doors open at 7 pm and showtime is 8 pm. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

PenArts presents Decision Height

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 7-10

In WWII, over 1,100 Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) flew wingtip to wingtip with their male counterparts. Their contribution to the USA will be shared as PenArts presents Decision Height—a play that tells the story of six volunteers in the WASP Program. They trained male pilots; tested aircrafts; ferried aircrafts and ammunition; and towed targets for live artillery practice. By taking over these duties, they freed over 900 male pilots for combat duty in the war. Despite their contribution during WWII, it wasn’t until 1977 that the surviving women were granted Veteran status and in 2009, they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. At each performance, PenArts will honor all current Women in the Military and Women Veterans in the audience during Women’s History Month.

Decision Height will be performed at The Gordon, located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. in downtown Pensacola. For showtimes, tickets and more information, visit penarts.org.

Pi Day Pie Tasting

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 14

Celebrate irrationality at the MESS Hall on Pi Day, March 14. Beginning at 6 pm, guests will be able to sample a variety of pies from local restaurants. There will be many pies, both pizza and dessert, for you to sample while learning and exploring the properties of the other kind of pi. Some of the participating restaurants include Bubba’s 33, Craft Bakery, East Hill Pizza and more. The Pensacola MESS Hall is located at 418 E. Wright St. in downtown Pensacola. Tickets for the event are $31.42 ≈ $10*π. This event is for ages 21+. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolamesshall.org.

WolfGang Pensacola’s Sip & Shop Night Market

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 14

Get ready to paw-ruse through a variety of vendors while sipping on your favorite beverages. From doggy accessories to human treats, there’s something for everyone at our Sip & Shop Night Market! From 4 to 8 pm, dog lovers will get to enjoy shopping a variety of local vendors with their furbaby. Vendors are currently still being accepted. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, send an email to wolfgangparkandbrews@gmail.com for an application. WolfGang Pensacola’s Sip & Shop Night Market will be hosted at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., located at 50 E. Garden St. For a complete list of vendors and more information, visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com/events-1.

Cards on the Coast 2024

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 16

Join fellow sports card and trading card game enthusiasts for a fun-filled day of buying, selling, and trading at the “Cards on the Coast’’ show. Located at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center (913 S. I St.) in Pensacola, this event takes place on March 16 10 am to 4 pm. VIP admission will start at 9 am. Shop and trade at over 50 tables from over 20 vendors from all over the Southeast. A variety of local food trucks will be available throughout the day. Admission is free. For more information, visit cardsonthecoast.com.

Jim Gaffigan: Barely Alive Tour

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 17

Jim Gaffigan is a seven-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times best-selling author and three-time Emmy-winning top-touring performer. In 2023, he released his 10th comedy special, Dark Pale, on Amazon Prime Video, an unprecedented achievement for the comedian. He is known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life. Now Gaffigan is bringing his “Barely Alive” comedy tour to the Pensacola Bay Center, located at 201 E. Gregory St. Doors open at 4 pm and the event begins at 5 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 19

The Golden Girls are back! Miami’s sassiest seniors have returned for one more hurrah. 2024 finds Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving dating app for seniors. Dorothy is trying to hold it all together, with help from her much younger love interest. Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends! This event is for ages 18 and up. The show will be held at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox St. Showtime is 7:30 pm. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Disney on Ice presents Find Your Hero

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 20 - 24

Audiences will discover what it truly means to be a hero as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends from around the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey through timeless tales when Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero skates into Pensacola, presenting five fun-filled performances from March 22-24 at the Pensacola Bay Center in downtown Pensacola. Tickets are $20 (plus applicable fees) and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. For tickets and event details, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Books by the Bay Festival

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 23

Books by the Bay, a free outdoor festival, offers the opportunity for adults and youth to mingle with local authors, meet national bestselling authors and literary experts, and interact with characters in costume while they shop for books. The single-day outdoor event focuses on literary appreciation and features a wide range of literary genres from children’s books, memoirs and romance, to steampunk, nonfiction, historical fiction and graphic novels. With so many genres covered, there’s something for every type of reader. Books by the Bay is located at Museum Plaza at 300 S. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola. The festival begins at 9 am and runs until 4 pm. For more information, visit emeraldcoastwritersinc.org/booksbythebay.

PSO presents Symphonic Spectacular

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 23

Join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for a spectacular evening, featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, conceived by the composer as “glorifying the grandeur of the human spirit, praising the free and happy man—his strength, his generosity, and the purity of his soul.” The program also includes Dmitri Shostakovich’s reorchestration of Modest Mussorgsky’s Overture to Khovantchina and soloist William Hagen performing Max Bruch’s perennially fresh First Violin Concerto. The performance will take place at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox St. Showtime is 7:30 pm. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

Bayou Hills Run

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 30

The Bayou Hills Run is one of Pensacola’s oldest running events and is partnered with the City of Pensacola to make it the Official Pensacola 5K and 10K City of Pensacola Championships. Now, winning runners will have some serious bragging rights. In addition to awards stating “Pensacola City Championships”, the overall male and female winners for both the 5K and 10K will be welcome and recognized at a city council meeting following the race. A virtual race option and a kid’s race are also part of this event. The 5K and 10K races will begin at 7 am, the kid’s race will begin at 9 am and awards will be distributed at 9:30 am. All proceeds benefit Creative Learning Academy and Pensacola Sports. For more information, visit pensacolasports.org/ bayouhillsrun.

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS CELEBRATES 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF NMCRS

The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) marked the Society’s 120th anniversary at the NMCRS Thrift Stop onboard Corry Station in Pensacola, Florida on January 23.

“Since 1904, we’ve [NMCRS] provided 5 million or clients with $2 billion in financial assistance,” said NMCRS Pensacola Office Director Joy Barnes. “Right here in Pensacola in 2023, we provided over $810,000 in emergency financial assistance to service members.”

The mission of NMCRS is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational and other assistance to the members of the U.S. Naval Services., eligible family members and survivors when in need.

A non-profit, volunteer service organization, NMCRS uses both financial and non-financial resources to identify solutions to meet the needs of their clients,

with an overall goal of improving personal financial skills and encouraging individual financial responsibility. Volunteers make up more than 90 percent of the organization’s workforce.

“Last year, the Thrift Shop raised over $55,000 to provide for NMCRS programs and services,” said Ens. Hannah Montau, who volunteers as the NMCRS Thrift Shop Lead at Corry Station. “All of the money that we make at the Thrift Shop goes back into NMCRS to provide services to the service members with financial help that they may need.”

NMCRS has offices located on major Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide. For more information about NMCRS resources, visit nmcrs.org.

PHOTO AND STORY BY GARRETT DIPUMA, NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA

FATHOM A CAREER FORGED BY THE SEA

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Leadership, discipline, teamwork, problem-solving. These qualities are an asset to a wide variety of trades working with dozens of different EMCOR companies. Forge a rewarding new post-military path.

SCAN FOR JOBS

Where good work is VALUED RESPECTED REWARDED

The Party of the Season!

Gabriel von Eisenstein finds himself at Prince Orlofsky’s elaborate masquerade ball, along with his wife Rosalinde, their maid Adele, and his friend Dr. Falke. The catch? They’re all concealing their identities as part of an elaborate prank of light-hearted revenge. Just as things begin to unravel, all is revealed and the characters accept their bamboozlement, raising a toast to champagne’s delicious pleasures! With nonstop laughs from start to finish, Die Fledermaus has become one of the most well known and beloved German operettas of all time.

Tickets start at just $25 pensacolaopera.com

850.433.6737