DOWNTOWN CROWD | NOVEMBER 2024
Morgan Cole, Editor
The holiday season is just around the corner, and there really is no better time to enjoy all that our wonderful city has to offer. When it comes to fall events, Pensacola goes big! The fall season not only brings us cooler temperatures, it also serves as the official kickoff to festival season here in Pensacola. From the beloved 12-day arts and culture celebration we call Foo Foo Fest to the exciting holiday festivities of Winterfest, there’s no shortage of creative cultural happenings and events taking place throughout downtown Pensacola this fall.
This month, we’ve brought you the scoop on Winterfest 2024, which will transform the downtown streets into a winter wonderland from November 6 through December 24. We had a chance to catch up with event organizers to bring you details on some of the newly added tours and events that you won’t want to miss!
We’ve also brought you details on some of our favorite new and returning Foo Foo events. This 12-day extravaganza of arts, culture and entertainment will take over the downtown streets from October 31 through November 11, so be sure to check out some, or all, of the upcoming Foo Foo festivities. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites for you on page 11.
In this issue, you’ll also read about the return of one of my favorite annual events, Mountainfilm on Tour. This year’s event is the fifth for Mountainfilm on Tour - Pensacola, which showcases an inspiring collection of short, documentary-style films to raise awareness and funding for environmental and community causes, including local non-profit organizations Healthy Gulf and the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program. Check out the story on page 18 for details on this year’s tour, which will be held November 16 at the Pensacola Little Theatre in downtown Pensacola.
As always, we hope you enjoy the read! Embrace the autumn vibes and have a wonderful and turkey-filled Thanksgiving holiday.
Until next time,
Cheers!
– Rishy Studer
Rishy Studer Photo by Matthew Coughlin, 850 Magazine
Bruce Beach Revitalization Project
Downtown Pensacola’s New Waterfront Destination
By Morgan Cole
After six years of planning, designing and construction, the revitalization of Bruce Beach is now complete and the park is open as Pensacola’s newest public waterfront space.
The project to rehabilitate Bruce Beach in downtown Pensacola has been in the works for most of this decade. This catalytic project is part of the Pensacola Waterfront Framework Plan supporting the city’s goal of creating a more connected public waterfront.
Key project goals include:
• Connect people to the waterfront
• Restore and enhance local ecology
• Mark and commemorate African American history and heritage at the site
• Design for educational activities, both indoors and outdoors
• Create a cultural and educational destination at the Bay’s edge
The project was designed by the planning and engineering firm HDR, with consistency review from SCAPE and input from the public. The city awarded a contract to Biggs Construction Inc. for the construction of the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project in 2022.
The city unveiled the completed phase one portion of the 13-acre park during a public ribbon cutting ceremony on April 27, as construction continued on the $4.9 million section of phase two.
“This has been years and years—about six years in fact—in the making. From the genesis of this project to robust community feedback about what the vision could be here, and access to the waterfront, all of these things have now been talked about for years,” City of Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said.
Phase one of the revitalization project brought about major upgrades to the property.
Constructed for $6.9 million, improvements include a central plaza with walkway, shade
structures, two public lawn areas with seat walls, a learning garden and a children’s playground.
Another important feature constructed as part of phase one, is a new pedestrian bridge that runs over Washerwoman Creek, allowing for a direct connection to the neighboring Community Maritime Park.
For decades, Bruce Beach has been a key site for coastal recreation in Pensacola, with a rich history of use by the city’s Black community. As part of the park’s redesign, SCAPE also developed a series of double-sided signs that invite visitors to explore the history of Bruce Beach. The interpretive signage details the site’s marshy beginnings, its industrial history, its evolution as a recreational center and its reopening today.
Photos courtesy of City of Pensacola
The signs also explore the origin and lasting significance of Bruce Beach for Black, Indigenous and Creole members of the Pensacola community. The content and design of the interpretive signage was a collaborative effort between SCAPE, HDR and a group of local historians at the University of West Florida Historic Trust.
Local history is sprinkled throughout the park, highlighting the history of the area, from its days as a shipyard in the 19th century to the location of a public pool for African Americans used during the segregation era up until the early 1970s. Open from 1957 to 1975, Bruce Pool was “the place to be” during the summer. The outline of the original Bruce Pool is marked with concrete at the foot of the Washerwoman Creek bridge.
The park also highlights the area’s connection to Pensacola Bay, with the children’s playground framed by a large map on the ground that shows the outline of Pensacola Bay and other surrounding waterways.
With native plantings, improved stormwater management areas and a specific focus on protecting specific native trees and wetland areas, the revitalized park helps restore and enhance the local ecology and the community’s connection to the water.
The city initially did not open the first phase of the park because of ongoing site construction and the lack of a public restroom facility. However, in April of this year, the city announced that the completed phase one section of the park would open early due to the installation of a new modular public restroom known as a Portland Loo.
“To have the park open as an amenity for kids, for parents and grandparents who put a lot of value and memories into this area, to have this open for six or seven months before phase two is completed, will be a big asset for us,” Reeves said.
The most recent project milestone was the completion of the phase two section of the park in October. Phase two improvements gave the park a fresh look and updated amenities, including planting 194 new trees, building wall terraces and creating a bluff overlook with panoramic views of Pensacola Bay and the city.
Other additions include a rock scramble, terrace sitting areas, a permanent kayak launch, a sand volleyball court and designated picnic areas.
“Much like the Community Maritime Park before it, the new park will serve as a catalyst for the city’s economic growth,” Reeves said.
Swimming will not be permitted at the park, but the park will serve as an access point for kayakers and other paddle craft.
Although construction is complete on phase two of the park, this portion will remain closed until the city determines a new date for the grand opening.
Residents, stakeholders and members of the community will be invited to join the City of Pensacola, Mayor D.C. Reeves, Pensacola City Council and the City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency to celebrate the project and the grand opening of the park within the coming months.
For updates and to learn more about the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project, visit cityofpensacola.com.
You may think you know Carmen…think again. Coming this fall to Pensacola as part of the 2024 Foo Foo Festival, Pensacola Opera will take over Seville Quarter to present a world premiere of one of the most famous operas of all time. On November 7, Bizet’s Carmen will be transformed into Carmen: The Traveler.
Carmen: The Traveler is a retelling of Bizet’s beloved opera Carmen, which is a dramatic tale of love, jealousy and tragedy with strong Spanish dance and culture influences in the score. Carmen: The Traveler transports the action from its original Nineteenth Century setting to the pre-war tension of 1930s Seville, Spain. A versatile cast of singer-instrumentalists will perform their roles while accompanying themselves on instruments including guitars, mandolins and accordions. This new format makes the experience immersive and captivating as the audience is meant to be patrons in a bar where the story is being told.
“This version is only an hour and ten minutes, with all the hits from Carmen. The musicians in both the orchestra and cast are stellar and sound sometimes like an orchestra, sometimes like a rock band and sometimes both combined. The combination of instruments creates a unique flavor of sound and has a more folk-like vibe. It is high-energy during some points and during others is sublimely beautiful. This will not be a typical
Carmen: The Traveler
The World Premiere of the Re-Telling of Bizet’s Classic Masterpiece
opera experience and I believe will resonate with any crowd who sees it,” Pensacola Opera Artistic Director Corey McKern said.
Producing Carmen: The Traveler is a collaboration between Pensacola Opera, The Opera Cowgirls and several performing artists with orchestrations by Joseph Brent, a professional mandolinist who has performed all over the world, and stars Caitlin
McKechney, founder of The Opera Cowgirls–an alt-country band where grand opera meets the grand ole opry.
Carmen: The Traveler originated from mind of McKechney. “Rather than a full orchestra in the pit, Joe Brent’s reduced orchestration is played on instruments that you might see in a Romani band in a bar somewhere on the border of France and Spain,
Photo & story by Alex Hilkey
which is where this production is set. We are also setting the production in the late 1930’s, as fascism was on the rise and gypsies, the derogatory term for the Romani people, were being persecuted alongside other people in Europe, including the Jews. In most productions, Carmen is sent to jail for getting in a fight with another factory worker. In ours, she is sent to jail just for being herself,” MeKechney said.
“We had Cailtin and The Opera Cowgirls for our Foo Foo event Songs Down South last season. She mentioned that she had an idea for a new version of Carmen using modern instruments and with the cast playing. I thought it sounded like a great idea and looked for a way that we could possibly produce it,” McKern said. “A well known musician, Joe Brent, is attached to the pieces as well. He is truly a renaissance musician. He plays several instruments, is a well known mandolinist and is an arranger and composer. He and Caitlin’s knowledge and experience worked beautifully together and created this new version of Carmen! Our wonderful opera supporter, Allan Benton, sponsored a workshop in Brooklyn, NY, where we were able to present Carmen: The Traveler to its very first audience in a world-premiere workshop performance. We can’t wait to bring it home to Pensacola in November.”
Bizet’s Carmen is inspired by tales of scandal in Prosper Mérimée’s 1845 novella and follows Don José who falls under Carmen’s spell, sending him into a spiral that results in a fatally tragic ending.
“The story itself doesn’t differ much, though our setting focuses on Carmen’s background as a Romani woman and that her being sent to jail is because she is a ‘gypsy,’ not because she got in a fight at the cigarette factory (a plot point that was omitted from our production),” McKechney said. “For me, it takes away the focus of Carmen being a loose and morally low woman to being a victim herself. As a feminist, I think it provides a more interesting conflict for her character.”
Pensacola Opera is honored to have received this Foo Foo Festival grant to be able to bring this new work to the public. The evening itself, in true Pensacola Opera style, will be more than just a typical production. Enter and explore Seville Quarter in an immersion of Spanish culture complete with traveling Flamenco dancers, Spanish wine tastings and plenty of tapas to go around. Carmen: The Traveler will bring a celebration of new and traditional opera, Spanish culture and actor-singer-musicians in a way that is truly unique and the first of its kind.
Pensacola Opera has been fortunate to be the recipient of several Foo Foo Festival Grants and has enjoyed a long history of successfully presenting large scale events including previous Foo Foo Festival presentations of the Foo Foo Three Tenors concert at Maritime Park, From Sea to Shining Sea: A Musical Salute to Service at the Saenger Theatre, Forty Forward: Celebrating Four Decades of Opera at the Saenger Theatre, and last year’s Songs Down South.
“We anticipate that Carmen: The Traveler will be no different and bring in new audiences beyond Northwest Florida and marketed to a non-traditional opera audience. Pensacola Opera strives to welcome newcomers to opera and introduce them to the art form in a variety of settings. We hope to inspire a broader audience base and increase our relevance to communities. Created and workshopped especially for the 11th Anniversary of the Foo Foo Festival, this opera is unique throughout the country, with no other festival or arts organization having performed Carmen: The Traveler,” Pensacola Opera General Director Chandra McKern said.
Carmen: The Traveler will be held on November 7 at Seville Quarter as part of the 2024 Foo Foo Festival. Tickets and more information can be found online at pensacolaopera.com.
Foo Foo in the Fall
11th Annual Foo Foo Festival Returns to Downtown Pensacola
By Nicole Willis
Pensacola’s iconic Foo Foo Festival is back and promises to deliver another year of vibrant cultural celebrations to the downtown streets. Foo Foo Fest will commemorate its 11th year with a variety of fun-filled events including art exhibitions, live performances and more.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled for what’s in store for the eleventh iteration of the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival this Fall,” Pensacola Foo Foo Festival Chair Therese Felth McKenzie said. “This year, Foo Foo Fest attendees can look forward to colorful moments around our community such as The Blue Trees presented by the University of West Florida Historic Trust, milestone anniversaries such as the 70th Anniversary of the Pensacola Museum of Art, first-ever cultural events like HizashiCon presented by the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida and the return of Night Moves Music Fest at Maritime Park. From live music to fine art, anime to theatrical performances and so much more, the opportunities are endless at Foo Foo Fest.”
Whether you’re a first-timer or a Foo Foo fanatic, you’re sure to enjoy an array of exciting cultural
events and performances taking over downtown Pensacola this month. Here are our top ten staff picks of Foo Foo events that you won’t want to miss! For tickets and more information on these events, visit foofoofest.com/2024-events.
Pensacola Museum of Art
70th Anniversary
Oct. 31–Nov. 10
The Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA) is celebrating its 70th anniversary through a series of events for art lovers of all ages. These events are centered on the museum’s permanent collection, commemorating seven decades of cultural history. On October 31, the Art Themed Halloween Block Party will kick off a week of free museum admission. This party will run from 5 to 8 pm and will feature live music and art activities. This event will be followed by a special curator’s tour on November 7 at 6 pm. Finally, the Permanent Collection Exhibition Gala on November 9 will allow patrons to support the museum’s collection. All events are hosted at the PMA, located at 407 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola.
Photos Courtesy of Foo Foo Festival
The Blue Trees
Environmental Installation presented by UWF Historic Trust
Nov. 1–9 | Various Times
The University of West Florida Historic Trust presents The Blue Trees, an environmental installation by environmental artist Konstantin Dimopoulos. This installation will use Museum Plaza to protest deforestation. The trees will be colored blue with a safe, chalk-based pigment. The community is invited to join the installation process November 1 through 5 from either 9:30 am to 12:30 pm or 1 to 3 pm. On November 6, enjoy Blue Cheese and Blue Trees, a ticketed wine and cheese reception with live bluegrass music and blue-themed cuisine. The festivities continue with an Environmental Art Market starting at 10 am on November 8, featuring local artists and environmental organizations. All events take place in and around UWF Museum Plaza, located at 300 Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola.
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
Nov. 1–3 | Various Times
Among the best-regarded, most popular arts festivals in the United States, this three-day, juried art show showcases the works of more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists and more. Attendees will enjoy demonstrations of traditional arts like woodcarving, engraving and weaving. The festival will also feature a variety of food vendors—from TexMex and BBQ to Asian and Greek. Attendees can also enjoy live music throughout the festival, as well as a variety of kid-friendly activities at the Children’s Arts Festival, which runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is hosted at Seville Square located at 311 E. Government St. in downtown Pensacola.
LIZZIE: The Musical presented by PenArts
Nov. 5–9 | 7:30 pm
Immerse yourself in the haunting world of LIZZIE: The Musical, a gothic rock production that explores the notorious Lizzie Borden case. Set in 1892 Fall River, Massachusetts, the show explores the chilling story of Borden, who was acquitted of the murders of her father and stepmother. Featuring
a dynamic blend of gothic rock and powerful performances, LIZZIE brings the tale to life with a high-energy, all-female cast and live band. The production promises an evening filled with drama, intrigue and striking musical numbers. Showings of LIZZIE will take place at The Gordon, located at 306 N. DeVilliers St. in downtown Pensacola.
The Living Museum: A Trip through Pensacola’s History presented by Fiesta Pensacola
Nov. 7 | 5 to 7 pm
Step back in time with The Living Museum, an interactive experience at the Pensacola Museum of History. Taking place from 1559 onwards, actors in period costumes will bring to life diverse figures from Pensacola’s past. Using museum artifacts as props, the actors will perform scenes and answer questions, offering a deeper insight into the city’s multicultural history. This unique timeline spans beyond the well-known stories, shedding light on minority groups and key events often overlooked. This immersive journey through Pensacola’s history takes place at the Pensacola Museum of History located at 330 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola.
Night Moves Fest presented by Night Moves Inc.
Nov. 9 | 1 pm
Night Moves Fest is returning for its second year, bringing amazing indie and alternative music to downtown Pensacola. The day-long music festival will feature an exciting lineup of national, international, regional and local artists. Attendees will enjoy performances by headliners Silversun Pickups, Alvvays and Beach Fossils, alongside Tigers Jaw, Drug Church and many more. The festival will take place at Community Maritime Park’s Hunter Amphitheater located at 301 W. Main St. in downtown Pensacola. With food trucks, vendors and a scenic waterfront setting, it’s a perfect day out for music lovers of all ages.
HizashiCon presented by JapanAmerica Society of Northwest Florida
Nov. 9 | All Day
Celebrate Japanese pop culture at HizashiCon, a vibrant festival dedicated to anime, manga, video games, music and more. “Hizashi,” meaning “sunshine” in Japanese, sets the tone for this exciting pop culture celebration. The event features guest panels with renowned anime voice actors, cosplay competitions, Vocaloid performances, film showings, unique vendors, a themed maid café and more. HizashiCon will take place at First United Methodist Church’s Wright Place, located at 6 E. Wright St., in downtown Pensacola.
Pieces Adrift Art Show
Nov. 9 | 5 to 7 pm
Keep Pensacola Beautiful will be holding its annual art show, Pieces Adrift, at the First City Arts Center (FCAC). This unique event showcases art made from reused items and trash, demonstrating the purpose and creativity that can emerge from what we discard. Featuring works by local artists, Pieces Adrift promotes environmental awareness and encourages viewers to rethink waste. The free event is open to all ages, providing a fun and educational experience for families, students and art lovers alike. FCAC is located at 1060 N. Guillemard St. in downtown Pensacola.
Jazz for Justice presented by Legal Services of North Florida
Nov. 10 | 1 to 5 pm
Join Legal Services of North Florida for an afternoon of live music at the annual Jazz for Justice concert. Enjoy a family-friendly day filled with music, food, vendors and activities as New Orleans jazz fills the streets of downtown Pensacola. This free show will take place at Museum Plaza located at 300 S. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola. VIP experiences are available for those looking to enhance the day with special perks like catered food and a bar inside the Voices of Pensacola Museum. End your celebration of Foo Foo Festival on a high note with this lively event!
Night on the Tracks presented by 309 Punk Project
Nov. 10 | 1:30 to 11:45 pm
Night on the Tracks is a multi-venue art celebration along Wright Street’s railroad tracks in downtown Pensacola. This exciting evening features an assortment of activities, starting with a film festival that showcases short films from local, national and international filmmakers. Attendees can enjoy live music at From the Ground Up Community Garden, where Kevn Kinney performs. Later in the evening, attendees can explore a sculpture exhibition by Jennie Andrews and visit the Night Market with artisans, crafts, food trucks and performances by Birds of a Feather and Bread Box Puppet Troupe. The 21+ crowd is invited to end the night at The Handlebar with a concert by Show Me the Body and MSPAINT.
We are in search of the next Pensacola bride, groom or couple to grace the cover of
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/weddings2025 and submit up to three highresolution images of your wedding for a chance to be featured on the next cover!
SUBMISSIONS DUE BY March 15 , 2025
Editorial-style shots by a professional photographer are preferred. Please include the full name(s) of the bride, groom and photographer. Visit ballingerpublishing.com/weddings2025 for submission guidelines and complete details.
Pensacola Winterfest
Bringing the Christmas Spirit to Downtown Pensacola
By Katie Turman
It’s never too early for the holiday season and Christmas fun! This year’s Winterfest festivities will kick off earlier than ever to get the Pensacola community in the Christmas spirit. Beginning November 6, downtown Pensacola will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring festive decorations, performances and more.
This year’s Winterfest lineup will feature classic, fan-favorite activities, including the Polar Express Tour and photos with Santa and the Grinch. The classic Elf Parade will return at the end of November, bringing the community together to watch their favorite holiday characters march through the downtown streets.
One new event that Winterfest Board President Denise Chenel Power is excited to announce is the Grinch’s Great Christmas Tree Heist. This all-new tour invites attendees to join the Whoville gang for an evening of excitement as they attempt to hunt down and capture the naughty Grinch. Throughout the tour, the Grinch will pull some of his most mischievous tricks in an attempt to become the most popular Winterfest character, but will he convince guests that he should become the new President of Winterfest instead of Santa Claus?
In addition to the newly added tour, Santa and the Grinch will have the opportunity to prove who is the better leader of Winterfest through a series
of entertaining weekly debates. “Every week, there is a new debate between the protagonists bearing on important issues of the day, such as the Gingerbread Housing Shortage,” Power said.
Attendees will get to decide who they think should be the next Winterfest President, and the winner will be announced during the ceremonial lighting of the downtown Christmas decorations on November 29.
This year’s festivities will once again include the popular Elf Parade, providing an opportunity for the entire family to dress up in their most festive holiday costumes and ugly sweaters. You can also rock your best Santa’s elf costume or the ugliest Christmas sweater you own and compete in contests to determine who will help lead the Elf Parade.
On November 29, the parade lineup will begin at 12:30 pm at 18 W. Government St. in downtown Pensacola. The costume contest will be held at 1:25 pm, with the winners announced prior to the parade at 2 pm.
Winterfest guests can expect a variety of different activities for the whole family to enjoy. Along with photo opportunities to commemorate the return of this beloved annual event, there will also be a variety of fun holiday-themed activities, tours and performances taking place throughout the duration of the festival.
For more information on tickets and the complete lineup of 2024 Winterfest events, visit pensacolawinterfest.org and follow @PensacolaWinterfest on Facebook.
Great Christmas Tree Heist
November: 6, 15, 23, 24, 29, 30
December: 1, 6 - 8, 13, 15, 20 - 24
The new event will not be one to miss. In addition to the lively debates, take a ride on the Grinch’s trolley and join the heist to decide if you believe the Grinch should replace Santa Claus as the President of Winterfest.
Polar Express Tour
November: 22 - 24, 29, 20
December: 1, 6 - 8, 13, 15, 21 - 24
Get your tickets now for the Polar Express tour to join the conductor on the trip to the North Pole. This 25-minute experience will immerse guests in the story of the Polar Express as told by the conductor. Expect visits from your favorite characters throughout the wintry ride and a cup of hot chocolate to stay warm.
Grinch’s Merry Match
November: 6, 15, 23, 24, 29, 30
December: 1, 6 - 8, 13, 15, 20 - 24
Another returning activity is the Grinch’s Merry Match, where the entire Whoville community will join the excitement of Winterfest. Accompany the Whos on the Grinch’s trolley for a fun ride, photos and a front-row seat to watch the Grinch find his merry match!
Photos with Santa
November: 6, 15, 22 - 24, 29, 30
December: 1, 6 - 8, 13, 15, 20 - 24
Santa Claus is coming back to Pensacola this year to defend his place as the reigning leader of Winterfest and will be available for pictures after each trolley tour. Guests can purchase professional photos or use personal cameras to take pictures and videos during the event. Make sure you let him know what you want for Christmas!
Photos with the Grinch
November: 6, 15, 22 - 24, 29, 30
December: 1, 6 - 8, 13, 15, 20 - 24
Despite his grumpy demeanor, the Grinch loves to strike his best pose for pictures in competition with his Christmas rival. Mr. Grinch will be available again this year for photo opportunities at his throne, and he would love to know if you believe he should be the next President of Winterfest.
Short Films. Big Difference. Mountainfilm on Tour Pensacola
By Ashlee Delaphan
MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR WILL RETURN TO PENSACOLA for its fifth year, bringing another exciting lineup of impactful films for the entire community to enjoy.
On November 16, the Pensacola Little Theatre will host the annual Mountainfilm on Tour, a film festival that showcases a variety of short documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, environment, social justice and more.
This annual tour provides an experience that is sure to ignite a passion for environmental preservation among all who attend. Mountainfilm, the organization behind Mountainfilm Festival, is a dynamic group of films, people, stories and ideas dedicated to educating and inspiring audiences and communities to advance solutions for a more livable world.
The festival began in 1979 in the small Colorado ski town of Telluride with the primary purpose of using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.
Since its inception, the Mountainfilm Festival has only continued to grow in popularity, attracting thousands of attendees each spring. The festival takes over both Mountain Village and Telluride, Colorado on the traditional, ancestral and unceded homelands of the Nuchu (Ute) and Pueblo people, establishing an inspired haven for thinkers and doers.
Throughout the festival, hundreds of short films are showcased to help form imaginative conversations among artists and filmmakers to encourage environmentally conscious thought.
“It’s a celebration of what the natural world has to offer and it’s a reminder that humans still have a vital role to play in preserving the uniqueness of wild spaces,” former Mountainfilm Director Rick Silverman said.
After the Telluride festival, Mountainfilm leaves its home in the Colorado mountains for an annual tour across the country, highlighting a collection of the most influential short films featured that year.
One of the films that will be showcased as part of this year’s tour is Building the Buffalo. This short documentary was filmed in Kenya and shows how a simple pleasure like having a bicycle is often taken for granted, as well as the important work being done by the World Bicycle Relief organization in southern Africa. To these children, having a bike means having transportation to school and the means to get to work. In South Africa, a bicycle isn’t just a hobby item, it’s an essential piece of daily life that isn’t often available.
Mountainfilm on Tour provides a truly unique cinematic experience, showcasing inspiring documentary-style films and short stories that focus solely on celebrating adventure, culture,
the human spirit and encourage proactive environmental thinking.
“In a time where it seems we can all have huge differences, this evening is truly about leaving inspired and ready to make our world and our local communities a better place, something we can all agree on,” Mountainfilm Event Coordinator Chesley Allegri said.
Photo Credit: Georgia Astle, Flip the Switch
Photo Credit: Darby A. McAdams, Near the River
by
Every year the ticket proceeds from the event benefit local nonprofits focused on the wellbeing of the environment. This year, Mountainfilm’s Pensacola stop will be sending funds to local nonprofits Healthy Gulf, an organization that fights for a clean and healthy Gulf of Mexico, and The Perdido Bay and Estuaries, an organization working towards making swimmable and fishable water for all. The organizations will be at the event to provide more information about their cause or to offer opportunities to contribute.
Mountainfilm on Tour takes place November 16 at the Pensacola Little Theatre located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. There will be live music in the theater before the show. Food and drink for purchase from End of the Line Cafe as well as a full cash bar. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or online.
For tickets and information, visit mountainfilmpensacola.com. Learn more about Mountainfilm at mountainfilm.org.
SUBSCRIPTIONS & SINGLE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Our 42nd Season opens with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro–an operatic whirlwind of mistaken identities, awkward situations, and comedic antics. In March, we close with Pagliacci– A classic verismo opera known for its riveting dramatic storytelling, lush orchestration, and scintillating vocal writing.
$31
Photo
Ben Eng
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NOVEMBER COMMUNITY EVENTS
Pensacola Ice Flyers
Schedule and Theme Nights
November home games and theme nights at the Pensacola Bay Center. For tickets and information, visit iceflyers.com.
November 8 at 7:05 pm - Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers; Adult Jersey Giveaway
November 9 at 7:05 pm - Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers; Blue Angels Night
November 16 at 7:05 pm - Huntsville Havoc vs Ice Flyers; Star Wars Night
November 27 at 7:05 pm - Huntsville Havoc vs Ice Flyers; $5 Night
November 30 at 7:05 pm - Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers; $5 Night
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
November 1 & 2
The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is one of the most attended events in Pensacola, attracting 150,000-180,000 spectators every year. This two-day event features a world-class show with aerobatics performed by Pensacola’s own Blue Angels. This event is free and open to the public. Guests are invited to bring their own seating, but paid seating will also be available. The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is hosted at Naval Air Station Pensacola at 150 Hase Road. Gates open at 8 am and the show begins around 9:30 am. For tickets and more information, visit naspensacolaairshow.org.
64th Annual Pensacola Greek Festival
November 1 to 3
The 64th annual Pensacola Greek Festival is back and better than ever before. The Pensacola Greek Festival is a celebration of Greek heritage focusing on food, music, dancing and familyfriendly fun! Experience a piece of Greece with the taste of freshly grilled meats, veggies, desserts and more. Indulge in gyros, spanakopita, baklava, kourabiedes and other authentic Greek dishes. Don’t miss out on this once-a-year opportunity to taste and experience the best of Greek culture. The 64th annual Pensacola Greek Festival is hosted at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church located at 1720 W Garden Street. For more information, visit facebook.com/ pensacolagreekfestival.
American Style: Copland Stephenson & Bernstein
November 2
Join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra for an exploration of the American music tradition, featuring Appalachian Spring from the “Dean of American Composers” Aaron Copland. With its open and pioneering depiction of the American idyll, Appalachian Spring is beloved for its folk
melodies, including the Shaker tune Simple Gifts. The program also features violinist Maria Ioudenitch for Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium) and composer Jim Stephenson joins us from the stage to discuss his Second Symphony, Voices, written in memory of his mother. The show takes place at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox St. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with showtime at 7:30 pm. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolasymphony.com.
SEC Soccer Tournament
November 3 to 10
The 2024 SEC Soccer Tournament will be played in Pensacola this November. The top women’s soccer teams will compete for the championship title at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex. Pensacola Sports is ecstatic to welcome all friends, family and fans. Join in the fun on Championship game day, November 10, at the free fan fest from 11 am until halftime of the championship game. There will be music, food trucks and interactive activities for all ages to enjoy. Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex is located at 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Rd. in Pensacola. For the full schedule, tickets and more information, visit pensacolasports.org.
East Hill Makers Market: Fall Into Fun
. November 5
Fall into fun at the East Hill Makers Market! Enjoy an outdoor afternoon filled with shopping, delicious food and fun for the whole family. Hosted by the East Hill Neighborhood Association, the market will feature over 40 local artisans and food vendors. There will also be fallthemed kid’s activities including a hayride! Come shop, play and mingle with your neighbors from 3 to 7 pm. This free event takes place in Cordova Square, located at 1101 N. 12th Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/ehnapensacola/ events.
Mamma Mia: The Party
November 8
Slip on your disco boots, grab your flared pants and dance the night away on the dazzling disco dance floor! With Any Day DJ spinning all your favorite ABBA hits, you’ll be shouting “Mamma Mia, here I go again!” In addition to the awesome music, there will also be Greek food provided by Greek’s Catering & Events and specialty drinks served by Tap the Coast. Costumes are highly encouraged, so channel your inner “Dancing Queen” and strike a pose in the Santorini-style photo booth. Join the party at 5eleven Palafox from 6:30 pm to 10 pm for an unforgettable evening filled with all things ABBA. The party will be held from 6:30 to 10 pm at 511 S. Palafox St. For tickets and more information, please visit eventbrite.com.
Dinner Detective Interactive True Crime Dinner Show
November 9 & 23
Welcome to The Dinner Detective, where a fun night out collides with a thrilling true crime mystery. Prepare yourself for a night of brainteasing fun as you dive headfirst into a crime that’s as challenging as it is hilarious. The guilty party could be anywhere—even hiding in plain sight! Beware, the spotlight of suspicion could turn on you at any moment, transforming you into the prime suspect! This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a high-stakes game of whodunit where you’re at the heart of the action. Since 2004, The Dinner Detective’s unforgettable true crime mystery dinner performances have been thrilling audiences nationwide. The show takes place from 6 to 9 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Downtown, located at 8 South 9th Ave. For tickets and more information, visit thedinnerdetective.com.
EntreCon® 2024
November 13 & 14
Every year, the Studer Community Institute hosts EntreCon®, an annual business, leadership and entrepreneurship conference that offers leaders from across all industries an opportunity to grow together in vibrant downtown Pensacola. EntreCon® 2024 is here to help professionals and their teams navigate an ever-shifting landscape and provide the tools, resources and connections required to embrace change and achieve growth and success. EntreCon® 2024 will be hosted at the Pensacola Little Theatre, located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. To register or learn more about the conference, visit entreconpensacola.com.
Pensacola Maker Faire
November 16
Pensacola Maker Faire is a gathering of curious people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they can do. From engineers and scientists to artists and crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show off their hobbies, experiments and projects. This free family-friendly event serves as a showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. The Pensacola Maker Faire runs from 10 am to 4 pm on November 16. The event takes place at Museum Plaza, located at 201 Zaragoza St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit pensacola.makerfaire.com.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
. November 16 & 17
Bourbon & Broadway
November 20
Pensacola Opera loves Broadway and bourbon! Indulge in a delicious dinner and visit the bar before taking your seats for a full lineup of musical theatre favorites. Enjoy numbers from some of your favorite Broadway classics, performed by Pensacola Opera’s Jan Miller Studio Artists as solos, duets and group numbers. Between musical sets, you’ll be guided through handselected bourbons explaining origins and tasting notes. Whether you are a bourbon aficionado or you just want to try something new, this event provides an excellent opportunity to learn more and expand your palate. The event begins at 6 pm and takes place at the Museum of Commerce, located at 201 Zaragoza St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolaopera.com.
Wolfgang’s 3rd Annual Pupsgiving
November 23
Join Wolfgang for a tail-wagging celebration at the 3rd Annual Pupsgiving. Hosted from 11 am to 1 pm at Garden & Grain, Pupsgiving gives humans and pups the chance to decorate and enjoy fall-themed treats. Dog-friendly icing and supplies will be available. Attendees will also receive perks like BOGO champagne and 15% off from Garden & Grain, as well as $2 off all drafts at Perfect Plain. It wouldn’t be Pupsgiving without the opportunity to give. Participants who bring a donation of treats, a fleece blanket and a toy for the animals at the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare will receive a complimentary 12oz Perfect Plain beer. Garden & Grain is located at 50 E. Garden St. Suite B in Downtown Pensacola. For tickets and more information, visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com.
Pensacola Community Outdoor Flea Market
.
December 1
Need to declutter? Want to buy some cool new stuff? Come on out to the 2nd Annual Pensacola Community Outdoor Flea Market Extravaganza! Browse a variety of vendors to find a hidden treasure. The flea market is open from 10 am to 5 pm. The event will take place at Community Maritime Park, located at 301 W. Main St. in downtown Pensacola. The flea market vendor’s fee is $30 and the fee for business vendors is $50. There is a $2 entry fee. 100% of the net proceeds from the event support the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. To learn more about the event or register to become a vendor, visit apexshowsandevents.com.
An uplifting comeback story like no other, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set to the pulsepounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters. Featuring Turner’s much-loved songs, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with showtime at 7:30 pm. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 S. Palafox St. For tickets and show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
MILITARYMATTERS
AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION
2025 INTERNATIONAL MILITARY STUDENT OFFICER IF THE YEAR AWARDS
The International Military Student Officer (IMSO) of the Year Awards will be presented during the 2025 IMSO workshop to be held in Pensacola February 24 through 28.
Navy commands must route their nominations via their chain of command and forward them to Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) no later than Jan. 31. Other services must submit their nomination packages by February 7.
Email all nomination packages to NETSAFA at pnsc_ netsafa_imso_workshop@navy.mil.
The selection process will be like previous years, with awards being presented to deserving IMSOs from the following categories: U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard Office of International Affairs and three from U.S. Navy (small, medium and large activities).
The nominees may be officer, enlisted, civilian IMSO or assistant IMSO, and must have served in this capacity for a minimum of 12 months.
The following criteria will be used for selection:
• Student throughout
• Administration of international military students (IMS) in compliance with instructions/objective
• Extraordinary efforts in coordinating with and educating staff and support personnel
• Creativity, thoroughness and effectiveness of field studies program
• Assistance provided to other IMSOs
• Personal interface and effectiveness when managing issues facing IMS and their dependents
• Initiative
NETSAFA is the U.S. Navy’s agent for Navy education and training for international military students. Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, NETSAFA coordinates and supplies training support to international governments and international organizations. As a field activity of Naval Education and Training Command, NETSAFA serves as a focal point for all security assistance and security cooperation education and training program issues, coordination, and advice within the U.S. Navy.
PHOTO BY DUSTIN GAUTNEY
PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART 70TH ANNIVERSARY
Presented by Pensacola Museum of Art Oct. 31 - Nov. 10
ECLECTIC FIDELITIES
Presented by Pensacola State College Oct. 31 - Nov. 11
THE BLUE TREES
Presented by University of West Florida Historic Trust | Nov. 1 - 9
PENSACOLA THROUGH THE CAMERA
Presented by the Wide Angle Photo Club | Nov. 1 - 3
LIZZIE: THE MUSICAL
Presented by PenArts | Nov. 5 - 9
CARMEN: THE TRAVELER
Presented by Pensacola Opera | Nov. 7
THE LIVING MUSEUM: A TRIP THROUGH PENSACOLA ’ S HISTORY
Presented by Fiesta Pensacola | Nov. 7
VOCTAVE: THE CORNER OF BROADWAY & MAIN STREET
Presented by Choral Society of Pensacola | Nov. 8
JOYFUL NOISE! GOSPEL CELEBRATION
Presented by WSRE PBS | Nov. 8 - 10
HIZASHICON
Presented by Japan America Society of Northwest Florida | Nov. 9
NIGHT MOVES MUSIC FEST
Presented by Night Moves | Nov. 9
JAZZ FOR JUSTICE
Presented by Legal Services of North Florida Nov. 10
NIGHT ON THE TRACKS
Presented by 309 Punk Project | Nov. 10
