Night on the Tracks: Eclectic Artistry Meets Industrial Grit

309 Punk Project has partnered with the Old East Hill Preservation District and neighborhood businesses to host another installment of the popular Night on the Tracks (NOTT) event series.

Set for May 11 at 5 pm, individuals from throughout the community are invited to come out and walk, bike, skate or roll along the Wright Street rail line in Old East Hill. This art-and-entertainment-centered event allows members of the community a chance to visit the local businesses located near and along the Wright Street rail line, while enjoying activities hosted at each of participating venues along the way.

“Night on the Tracks (NOTT) is all about celebrating the eclectic and vibrant arts and music scene that we are so lucky to have here in Pensacola, and especially along the Wright Street corridor right beside the railroad tracks,” NOTT Organizer Lauren Anzaldo explained. “This event allows us to support the local organizations and small businesses that make our community what it is. The event is collaborative with the participating venues each bringing something to the table by putting on an arts or music offering at their space.”

From art exhibits, happy hours and live music to an immersive glo art experience at Pensacola MESS Hall, each venue stop will offer something unique for attendees to enjoy.

“The event in May will be our fifth installment of Night on the Tracks. We held the first in December 2022, not long after The Handlebar reopened, and we held three more events in 2023, including our Night on the Tracks Block Party for the 10th Anniversary of Foo Foo Fest. This is the first Night on the Tracks event in 2024. We are hoping to hold the event now about twice a year,” Anzaldo said. “We have more venues involved in Night on the Tracks this time around than we’ve ever had before. It is encouraging to see our community and local organizations and businesses support this event with such enthusiasm.”

Moving from west to east along the Wright Street corridor in Old East Hill, venues participating in the May 11 installment of NOTT include 309 Punk Project, End of the Line Cafe, Pensacola MESS Hall, Doc’s Hop Shop, Bear Walker Skateshop, the curb, From the Ground Up and The Handlebar.

On the day of the event, each of the venues will also have small punch cards on-hand with each venue’s logo, with a QR code on the back, to help attendees easily link up with the Google Map that was created for the event. NOTT attendees can pick up a card and can go around to the venues and have their card stamped/punched to receive special discounts.

“We want people to come out and enjoy this event, the focus has always been on building community, getting out and about in the neighborhood, immersing yourself in the culture and appreciating the diversity of talent we have here.” There is truly something for everyone, for families with kids, singles, younger or older folks,” Anzaldo said.

The May 11 installment of NOTT kicks off at 5 pm at 309 North 6th Avenue, with staggered events taking place at each venue throughout the evening. Individuals of all ages are welcome to attend this free community event, and no tickets are required.

For complete event details, visit 309punkproject. org or bit.ly/NOTT511. Check out the full list of participating venues and activities planned for the May 11 installment of NOTT at bit.ly/NOTT511map.

Live Skateboard Painting

Bear Walker Skateshop | 410 E. Wright St. | 5 to 8 pm

The new Bear Walker Skateshop will host a live skateboard painting session and offer exclusive deals on select merchandise and apparel all day, including BOGO on stock skateboards and 25 percent off apparel and hats. The shop will also host a raffle for a chance to win a $500 in-store gift card. Raffle tickets are $5 for 5 entries. Visit bearwalker.com for details.

Art Exhibition by Yusuke Okada

309 Punk Project | 309 N. 6th Ave. | 5 to 8 pm

309 Punk Project will showcase its May Artist in Residence, Yusuke Okada. Okada is a self-taught artist who was born in Tokyo and currently lives and works in NYC. Utilizing a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink and clay, Okada relays his own unique perspective of the American experience through his darkly comedic canvas paintings and illustrations. His vibrant pieces reflect various social, cultural or political themes such as addiction, boredom, expectations, jealousy, marriage, vacations, tears, negativity, revenge, violence, youth and more. The event is free and open to the public. Visit 309punkproject.org, or yusukehorsejeanokada.com for complete exhibit details.

Live Music + Happy Hour Specials

End of the Line Cafe | 610 E. Wright St. | 5 to 8 pm

End of the Line Cafe will host NOTT Happy Hour from 5 to 8 pm featuring food and drink specials and live entertainment. Other discounts will be offered to attendees with valid NOTT event cards. Check out the menu and more at eotlcafe.com.

SoLA Art Market

School of Liberal Arts | 301 E. Gadsden St. | 5 to 9 pm

The School of Liberal Arts (SoLA) will host the SoLA Art Market featuring various pieces of jewelry, paintings and photography. Attendees can also participate in a ceramics workshop, where they can help create tiles that will be used for an upcoming remodel project at the school. There will also be local food vendors on site. For more details on the SoLA Art Market, visit facebook.com/pensacolasola.

Immersive Glo Art Experience

Pensacola MESS Hall | 418 E. Wright St. | 5:30 to 7:30 pm

The Pensacola MESS Hall will debut an immersive Glo Art experience themed around the nature within our Bay Area and the surrounding wetlands. Visitors will walk through a completely self-contained maze-like structure and view immersive glo art created by students from St. Paul Catholic School and other local schools, while also learning fun facts about our local ecology. The rest of the museum will not be open to the public during the special debut of this exhibition. This even is free, but donations are always welcome. Learn more about the exhibit and the Pensacola MESS Hall at pensacolamesshall.org.

Live Music By Grayson Capps

From the Ground Up | 501 N. Hayne St. | 6:30 to 9 pm

The garden will host music under the stars featuring acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Grayson Capps. There is no cost to attend. For details, visit fromthegroundupgardenpensacola.com.

Magic Show with Milan The Magician

Doc’s Hop Shop | 500 E. Heinberg St. | 6 to 7 pm

Doc’s Hop Shop will host a special magic performance by Milan the Magician. The brewery will also have its new bounce house set up for the kiddos to join in the fun. Check out Doc’s Hop Shop online at docshopshop.com or @docshopshop on Instagram.

Live Art Demo By Etep

the curb | 620 E. Wright St. | 6 to 7 pm

One of Pensacola’s newest shops, the curb, will be joining NOTT for the first time in May. The shop will offer in-store specials all day from 2 to 8 pm, with free stickers included with every purchase. From 6 to 7 pm, local painter Etep will host a live art demo and Q&A. The shop will also hold a skateboard deck giveaway throughout the day. Follow @thecurbstore on Instagram for instructions and giveaway entry details.

Metal Show

The Handlebar | 319 N. Tarragona St. | 7 pm

End your night listening to some loud fast-paced metal music at The Handlebar. The Handlebar is hosting a live metal show featuring Gatecreeper and Creeping Death. The cover is $20, with half off for attendees with NOTT cards. Visit the handlebar850.com, or check out @thehandlebar850 on Facebook for complete show details.