Downtown Crowd, September 2023

Morgan Cole, Editor

Grab your beerstein, a giant pretzel and put on that lederhosen because it’s time for Oktoberfest! I know... it’s only September, but this two-week Bavarian shindig actually kicks off in September and runs through the first week of October.

Although this beloved celebration has grown to become a popular tradition across Europe, it has also become widely observed in cities throughout the United States. Here in Pensacola, Oktoberfest celebrations have also grown in popularity, in no small part due to the area’s booming brewery scene. With so many local establishments hosting their own unique events, there’s plenty of Oktoberfest celebrations to be enjoyed right here in Pensacola!

This issue, we’ve gathered up details on all of the local Oktoberfest happenings to be sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun. We’ve also brought you the scoop on the return of the popular STAMPED Film Festival kicking off this month, the always-exciting Dragon Boat Festival at Bayview Park, the Pensacola Para Con expo and more!

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

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An

Evening of Fashion

The Women’s Board of Baptist Health Care Foundation

47 Fashion Show

Oct. 26, 2023

Oct. 26, 2023

Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center

5:30 p.m. Cocktails, Silent Auction and Hors D’oeuvres

6:30 p.m. Program and Live Auction

7 p.m. Fashion Show

The Market & Mainly Shoes, and The South Outfitters

sponsorship information, visit baptisthealthcarefoundation.org 850.469.7906

Sponsorships Available

STAMPED

LGBTQ+ Film Festival Returns for 11th Year

by Nicole Willis

STAMPED Film Festival is returning to Pensacola for its eleventh year of celebrating LGBTQ+ art, representation in film and the sharing of queer stories.

Since 2012, STAMPED Film Festival has brought some of the best LGBTQ+ films to the Pensacola community. STAMPED began as a way to support LGBTQ+ individuals in the community and educate allies on how they can support and uplift their queer neighbors. The festival is still doing so today, but on a much larger scale. 2023’s STAMPED Film Festival will take place from September 28 to October 1 and is set to be the largest one yet.

“STAMPED LGBQTIA+ Film Festival brings the community together through the art of storytelling, and that includes an array of people, from LGBTQIA+ vendors and businesses to local and visiting members of the queer community,” STAMPED President, Sid Williams-Heath said. “Going into STAMPED’s 11th year, it’s crazy to see the growth of both the festival and Pensacola’s LGBQTIA+ community over the last decade. Having a consistent representation and celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories has really boosted Pensacola as a queer-friendly destination, and STAMPED has grown to be a resource in the community.”

Though the festival is only about a decade old, STAMPED gets its name from events that occurred almost three decades ago. The festival’s name stems from local LGBTQ+ history. Memorial Day Weekend has always been a popular time for both LGBTQ+ tourists and locals alike to come to Pensacola

their cash with the words “Gay Money” or with a pink triangle to show the city and businesses just how much that community members were contributing to the local economy—$25 million a year.

STAMPED Film Festival adopted the name “STAMPED” to pay homage to these events, and because it is the festival’s goal to raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community, just like the tourists did back in the 90s. As posted on the festival’s website, STAMPED’s mission is to provide “a vibrant cultural experience to Pensacola by using the unique expression of films with a specific focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community to foster awareness, inclusion, and diversity.”

This year’s STAMPED schedule will be chock-full of films that focus on the LGBTQ+ community and their experiences. The festival shows a variety of films from many different genres. STAMPED also awards the best film from several categories. Some of the categories up for grabs in previous years include Best Documentary Feature Film, Best Animated Film, Best Narrative Short Film and Best Narrative Feature Film.

Due to the overwhelming amount of submissions, films are still being reviewed and the full festival lineup is not out yet, but will be available shortly. “We’re still finalizing the final rundown after being inundated with absolutely fantastic submissions this year. It’s gotten so expansive that STAMPED has actually brought on a professional filmmaker and festival expert, Chris McNeany, to help curate the final selections. In general, you can expect Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon to be jampacked,” Williams-Heath exclaimed.

One aspect of the festival that is already confirmed on the schedule to return this year is Sunday as “Family Day.” Family Day offers something for every member of the family; it provides parents of LGBTQ+ youth with opportunities to learn about how they can best support their children, and it provides kids the opportunity to get creative and engage with the arts.

“Each closing day of the festival has become a day dedicated to films for all ages, and through the wonderful support of Sunday’s Child this year, we are expanding that programming. You can expect children’s films, improv workshops, story time, and a colorful lineup of supplemental programs, while also incorporating new activities for adults to enjoy simultaneously,” Williams-Heath said.

There will be a panel of notable queer parents for the adults to hear and learn from. One of the parents that will be on the panel is Jake Graf, who is a well-known transgender father and the filmmaker of Our Baby: A Modern Miracle, which will also be shown at the festival.

STAMPED encourages everyone to participate in the festival, whether they are LGBTQ+ or not. “Knowledge is power, and while it is so lovely to see someone on the silver screen that looks and loves like you do, it’s often even more powerful to experience and celebrate someone else’s story who doesn’t look or love like you,” Williams-Heath said. “That’s what all attendees can take away from the festival: an opportunity to share in someone else’s story to witness it firsthand through stunning internationally-submitted filmmaking and leave feeling validated and educated on how others can love differently than you.”

The Pensacola community has been receptive and supportive of STAMPED over the years. Visit Pensacola reported that 2019’s festival attracted nearly 700 total attendees, with around 15 percent of those attendees coming from out-of-town specifically to attend the festival. As a nonprofit, STAMPED is able to exist and keep festival admission free of charge because of this community support. STAMPED also hosts a kickoff celebration every year for sponsors who make a donation of $100 or more to the festival.

“STAMPED is and only can be free to the public because of the community’s generosity in supporting our nonprofit,” Williams-Heath said. “I’m grateful for how well the festival is received. Our reputation as a free, inclusive opportunity in the community has grown, and we’re always so moved at the wonderful feedback we receive from attendees on how much the festival has meant to them.”

STAMPED Film Festival is hosted at The Clark Family Cultural Center, located at 400

“STAMPED LGBQTIA+ Film Festival brings the community together through the art of storytelling, and that includes an array of people – from LGBTQIA+ vendors and businesses to local and visiting members of the queer community,”

Head-to-Head

9th Annual Dragon Boat

by Darien Hardy

The Northeast Pensacola Sertoma Club, Inc.

(SERTOMA) presents the ninth annual Pensacola Dragon Boat festival. On September 30, thousands of spectators will gather around Bayou Texar, just off Bayview Park near downtown Pensacola (2000 E Lloyd St.), to support up to 40 teams who will be racing for bragging rights and a specialized trophy in this locally renowned event.

Dragon boating originated in Hong Kong in 1976, but its historical roots can be traced back to more than 2,000 years ago in China. Today, there are more than 50 million people worldwide participating in dragon boating each year. Teams and competitions are currently found in over 57 nations.

Festival Returns to Pensacola

During races, dragon boaters typically paddle a long, narrow canoe that seats 20 paddlers in 10 rows in sync along a 250 meter to 500 meter racecourse toward the finish line. A steerperson standing in the stern uses a 9-foot oar as a rudder and a drummer sits at the bow of the boat by the dragon’s head, facing the rest of the crew.

SERTOMA, the organizer of the Dragon Boat Festival, was founded in 1988 for the purpose of contributing to the Pensacola Community by raising money and supporting many community charities. This year, the Dragon Boat festival supports its charity partners in the Pensacola community: Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.

Event organizers note that you can invest in charities that serve the Pensacola community by becoming a sponsor and/or registering a team and joining in team fundraising. All sponsorship levels are still open, and there is still room for more teams. You can register and find out more information at pensacoladragonboatfestival.com or reach out directly via email at info@pensacoladragonboatfestival.com.

SERTOMA is preparing for a full day of racing, food and festivities. This all-day festival is complete with food trucks, local artists, children’s activities, contests, music and more. SERTOMA itself will have beer, water and Dragon Juice for sale. The day will begin with the Young Marines of Pensacola’s opening ceremony at 8 am and the first race of the day commencing at 9 am. Each team will race in three heats. This festival’s course is 300 meters in a straight line. The championship race will be held approximately at 4 pm. Finally, an awards ceremony will immediately follow the championship race.

The Dragon Boat race serves as a great team building experience for companies, organizations, krewes, non-profits, municipalities, local businesses, civic organizations, rowing clubs and so many more. Dragon Boat racing encourages people to be inclusive, collaborative, organized, communicative, synchronized, productive and committed—all these skills also help people work better as a team in the business world. Taking part in a dragon boating session can build teamwork and a sense of camaraderie. Paddling together can be the great equalizer that bridges the gaps between staff and managers, as well as different departments of an organization.

According to the event organizers, whether you compete with a group or sponsor another team, everyone is sure to leave with memories, a closer group of friends, sore arms and the fact that all the fun is going to support the local charities of Pensacola.

Event organizers suggest carpooling when possible as parking will be limited at the festival grounds. Bleachers will be set up for spectators to get the best view of the race from start to finish. Admission to this festival is free to the public, but opportunities to make donations will be available throughout the day.

Come have fun, cheer on your crew and support local charities at The Ninth Annual Pensacola Dragon Boat Festival 2023.

For more information and event details, visit pensacoladragonboatfestival.com or check out @PensacolaDragonBoatFestival on Facebook.

Oktoberfest

by Morgan Cole

What is Oktoberfest?

It all began with a wedding. On October 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates and celebrate the happy event. Due to the popularity of the included horse races, the event was repeated in subsequent years giving rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest. In the first few decades, the choices of amusements were sparse, but visitors were able to quench their thirst at small beer stands, which grew rapidly in number. In 1896, the beer stands were replaced by the first beer tents and halls set up by the enterprising landlords with the backing of the breweries. Oktoberfest continues to this day, and traditionally kicks off the third weekend in September and concludes on the first Sunday of October.

Oktoberfest celebrations in Pensacola have also grown in popularity, in no small part due to the rise of craft breweries in the area. With so many breweries and bars hosting events, each with their own unique spin, there’s no shortage of Oktoberfest celebrations out there to be enjoyed. So, grab a stein and a giant pretzel and celebrate the wedding of Ludwig and Therese right here in Pensacola with one or all of these local Oktoberfest events.

27th Annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival

September 8

Hosted annually at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola and organized by Escambia Bay Homebrewers, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival is the largest and longest-running Beer Fest in Northwest Florida. This blockparty-style even features a variety of food vendors, mead and live music. A souvenir tasting glass is also included with a full admission ticket purchase for the first 2,500 entrants. Brewers, both from our local region and nationwide, will convene on the streets of Seville Quarter to bring you some of the finest brews in the country.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sample more than 200 beers from more than 50 breweries. There will be more than 40 microbreweries present and another 50 to 100 breweries represented by their distributors. In addition to the microbreweries, there will also be 10+ homebrew clubs providing samples of their tasty crafts. This year’s craft beer festival will be held September 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Seville Quarter located at 130 East Government Street in downtown Pensacola. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for $35 in advance from a retail outlet. VIP tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance for $75 through an Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club member. VIP ticket holders receive early entry to the VIP room, hors d’oeuvres and exclusive hand-selected beers chosen by the top breweries. All ticket holders receive a souvenir festival beer tasting glass and free admission to a postconcert event in Seville Quarter’s Seville Plaza. Proceeds from the festival ticket sales benefit Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Seville Rotary. For tickets and event details, visit emeraldcoastbeerfest.com.

Coastal County Oktoberfest

September 9

Prost! It’s that time of year when we break out the steins and raise them in a cheerful toast to honor the historic Bavarian tradition we call Oktoberfest. The Fourth Annual Coastal County Brewing Company (CCBC) Oktoberfest will take place on September 9 as a full-day celebration. There will be heaps of festive attire, fun competitions, authentic eats, face-painting and specialty brews that will make you feel as if you’ve just landed yourself in Munich. CCBC will have plenty of staff members on hand to keep all steins filled to the brim so that you can indulge in every moment of the action. In addition to its normal line-up of crafts, CCBC will feature many of the more traditional Bavarian beer styles that set this time of year apart from any other. Guests will also have a chance to get a little competitive with some rousing drinking games, complete with some great CCBC prizes. The competition schedule will include a Women’s Stein Hoist, a Men’s Keg Hoist, a Keg Toss, a Costume Contest (Best Male, Best Female, Best Dog), Sausage Toss and more. The competitions will be held from 2 to 6 pm, and the lucky winners that conquer first place in each event will get to take home a $25 CCBC Gift Card. To register in advance, please email your Name, Phone Number, and the Competition you are interested in to rebecca@coastalcountybrewing.com. In between the rounds, you can dance your heart out to some lively live music in the Beer Garden from 1 to 5 pm as Joey Collins kicks off the festivities, followed by The Nathan Mulkey Group, who will be rounding out the evening from 6 to 10 pm. The CCBC Oktoberfest promises to deliver an amazing day full of Bavarian-style delights. So, loosen up your lederhosen and get ready to party. For details, visit coastalcountybrewing.com.

200 South Oktoberfest Block Party

September 16

Don’t miss an unforgettable Oktoberfest Block Party, 200 South Style! On September 16, 200 South will serve as the after-party location for the Rock4Vets 5k event. The event will feature an evening of bands, a street of beer, costume contests, pretzels, stein-hoisting and much more. Local bands Classic June, Shaggy J, Ugly, Jumping the Gun, Goldmine, Cavae Mundi, Panzacola and Hanks Blanket will be jamming out in the street from 2 pm to midnight. So, get ready to raise your steins and dance to live music while supporting a great cause. Grab your lederhosen and dirndls and indulge in abundant samples of German-style beers and food. Tickets include a take-home beer stein, which you will also use to access your beer samples during the event, a 200 South Oktoberfest t-shirt and free entry to the many contests that will be held throughout the evening. On September 13, guests are also invited to stop by 200 South to get a warm-up run in with the locals and gain more information on the Rock4Vets 5k race. A portion of all Oktoberfest party tickets will directly benefit the Rock4Vets organization. 200 South Tap House is located at 200 South Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. For complete event details and to register for the run, visit pensacolarock4vets.com.

Oktoberfest at Emerald Republic Brewing Company

September 16

It’s that time of the year again! The crisp air of fall. Football season kicking back up and pumpkin spiced lattes galore—Oh, and the start of Oktoberfest at Emerald Republic Brewing Company (ERBC). This annual shindig is sure to give you some fall spirit with an evening of specially-brewed German beers, competitive games, fun activities, prizes and more. Custom ERBC Germanstyle glass mugs have been specially crafted for the Oktoberfest celebration and will be available for sale at the event. ERBC will offer 1-liter glass mugs with one full 1-liter pour of any of their German-style beers for $30 or half-liter glass mugs with one full half-liter pour of any of their German-style beers for $20. Available crafts will include Take Four Pilsner, Business as Unusual Black Lager Oktoberfest Plus, For One Perfect Moment Hefeweizen, Dear World, Helles Lager, 15 AM Kölsch and more. Admission to the ERBC Oktoberfest is free. A series of competitive games and contests will also be held throughout the event including men and women’s stein hoisting competitions, stein racing, pretzel eating contests and more. Individuals must be 21 years of age or older to participate in the evening’s competitions. Traditional German-style food by Simply Brats will also be served at the event. Emerald Republic Brewing Company is located at 1414 West Government St. in downtown Pensacola. For complete event details, visit emeraldrepublicbrewing.com.

Perfect Plain Brewing Co. Oktoberfest

September 30

Save the date for Perfect Plain Brewing Co. Sixth Annual Oktoberfest on September 30. The brewery will be celebrating all day long with traditional German-style foods, a lederhosen and dirndl competition, stein hoisting competitions and more. Limited edition 2023 Oktoberfest beer steins will go on sale when the doors open at noon. Simply Brats German Food Truck will also be on site dishing up German fare for all. Registration for the stein hoisting opens at 5 pm, with the competition to be held at 6 pm. Individuals are also invited to register for the lederhosen and dirndl contest starting at 7 pm, with the contest beginning at 8 pm. Each of the evening’s contest winners will receive $50 or $100 in gift card prizes. A live DJ will also provide entertainment following the evening’s competitions. There is no cost to attend the event or to participate in the Oktoberfest competitions. Perfect Plain Brewing Co. is located at 20 East Garden St. in downtown Pensacola. For complete event details, visit perfectplain.com.

Oddtoberfest at Odd Colony Brewing Company

September 23

Don’t miss Oddtoberfest at Odd Colony Brewing Company located at 260 N. Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola for their ode to the traditional German fall festival of lager slugging, pretzel eating and stein hoisting. The brewery will host a day of German-style fare, brews, competitions and more. For complete event details, visit oddcolony.com.

6th Annual Oktoberfest at Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten

October 5

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten on September 30 at 2 pm. This festive event will feature live music, games, food and tons of great beer. There will be a limited number of tickets pre-sold for the event, which include a Gary’s souvenir glass stein and two complimentary beer fills. In addition to the entertainment and tasty brews, Simply Brats will also be on site serving up authentic German food in the biergarten starting at 3 pm. The Brewpub Kitchen will also be available from 12 to 9 pm for those craving American fare. Emerald Coast Kettle Corn and the Trolley Stop Ice Cream Shop will also be dishing up sweet treats from 4 to 9 pm. A variety of fun games will also be hosted throughout the evening, which are free to play and included in the ticket price. Some of the featured games for the evening will include Hammerschlagen, sack races, ax throwing, stein hoisting, a keg toss and more. Gary’s will be featuring Hofbrau, Weihenstephaner and Ayinger German beers for this special Oktoberfest event. The last day to purchase advance tickets is September 29 by 10 pm (unless sold out before). Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased on eventbrite.com or from the brewery located at 208 Newman Avenue in Pensacola. For complete event details, visit garysbrewery.com.

Paranormal Pensacola

Pensacola Para Con Convention Returns

Kick off spooky season early aT pensacola para con. From panels with professional ghost hunters and celebrities to costume design and FX makeup demonstrations, Pensacola Para Con has everything a horror lover or paranormal fanatic could ask for.

Founded in 2010 by psychic medium, Ericka Boussarhane, Pensacola Para Con is a convention for anyone interested in the obscure. Boussarhane noticed a lack of conventions and niche activities for people in the Pensacola area; so, she set out to create one herself.

“Pensacola had a few anime conventions, Fandom Con and Sukoshi-Con. I wanted to create a multi-genre convention that was affordable for local families. I wanted my guests and the celebrities to be accessible to everyone no matter their financial situation,” Boussarhane explained. This year’s Para Con is much anticipated. Hosted on September 23 and 24 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, the convention is returning for its first year after a short hiatus. In 2017, Boussarhane developed some health issues and was forced to put the convention on hold. After a successful kidney transplant, she is bringing the convention back this

“Over the years, I received many emails asking to bring Para Con back. At the time, only a hand full of people even knew I was sick and was silently battling with polycystic kidney disease. After my transplant, I feel so renewed.

Pensacola Para Con is back,” Boussarhane said.

Pensacola

Para Con is back in full swing with all the spookcentric activities that guests of previous years know and love. For those interested in the horror side of things, there will be writer’s panels, costuming panels FX makeup

demonstrations and film panels to learn from. There will be a variety of vendors and artists at the event for browsing and shopping opportunities. Attendees will get to hear from a variety of ghost hunters and paranormal experts, as well as get to meet some celebrities and notable figures in the paranormal field.

The most notable celebrity guests in attendance will be the Tennessee Wraith Chasers, as seen on the Travel Channel’s Haunted Towns and Haunted Live, plus Destination America’s Ghost Asylum and Haunted Towns. Other celebrity guests include The Second Sight Paranormal Investigations and Forensic Services team, paranormal radio host Kat Hobson, actresses Teance Blackburn, Elesia Marie and Tam Taylor, thriller authors Shaun S. Fitzgerald and Shane Ahalt Sr. and FX Makeup artist Eric Dupre.

In addition to all the fun happening at the Fairgrounds, there are a variety of off-site events that convention attendees are encouraged to participate in. On Friday and Saturday night, there will be ghost investigations at the Pensacola Victorian Bed & Breakfast. Guests will join a team of ghost-hunters and will be equipped with professional ghost-hunting equipment. Guests can even opt to stay in a haunted room overnight… if they dare. The off-site event on Sunday is a ghost investigation at Pensacola’s notably haunted Seville Quarter. This event will include a ghost hunt and stories of paranormal encounters shared over dinner. Off-site events are an additional cost and can be purchased when buying attendance tickets at pensacolaparacon.com/tickets.

When buying a ticket to Para Con, you’re also supporting a local charity. Every year, the convention partners with the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

“We always bring the guests to meet the staff and families at RMHC. We have also made a monetary donation to the nonprofit after each convention,” Boussarhane explained. “As a former daycare owner, I have seen how these families are often affected. RMHC provides such a needed service to our community.”

Boussarhane hopes that the community will come together not only to support a good cause, but also to enjoy the company of others with similar interests. “We started out in the hundreds [of attendees] and grew to the thousands over the years. We have enjoyed the community convention and fandom unity over the years.

We look forward to seeing a lot of old faces and new faces alike,” she said.

Pensacola Para Con will be held at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds at 6655 Mobile Highway in Pensacola. Vendors, guests and sponsors are still being accepted. For tickets or more information on Pensacola Para Con, visit pensacolaparacon.com.

Pensacola Para Con Schedule

Friday, September 22

8 pm (Off-Site Activity): Ghost Investigation at the Pensacola Victorian Bed & Breakfast

Saturday, September 23

10 am: Opening

11 am: “Anime 101” Workshop

12 pm: “Costuming on a Budget” Workshop

1 pm: “Lights, Camera, Action! Breaking into Film & Television”

2 pm: Costume Contest

3 pm: “Special Effects Zombie Makeup” Workshop

4 pm: “Getting Ghosted” with Celebrity Guests: Chris Smith and Mike Goncalves of the Tennessee Wraith Chasers Travel Channel, “Haunted Towns” and Destination America’s “Ghost Asylum” and Second Sight Paranormal and Forensic Services.

5 pm: Improvisational Comedy Workshop

6 pm: Closing

8 pm (Off-Site Activity): Ghost Investigation at the Pensacola Victorian Bed & Breakfast

Sunday, September 24

10 am: Opening

11 am: “How to Draw Comic Book Characters” Workshop

12 pm: “Beam Me Up: UFO Disclosure”

1 pm: “Writing 101: Creating Compelling Characters” Workshop

2 pm: Costume Contest

3 pm: “New Age Flower Power: Metaphysically Speaking”

4 pm: “Getting Ghosted” with Celebrity Guests: Chris Smith and Mike Goncalves of the Tennessee Wraith Chasers Travel Channel, “Haunted Towns” and Destination America’s “Ghost Asylum” and Second Sight Paranormal and Forensic Services.

5 pm: “Talk Nerdy to Me”

6 pm: Closing

8 pm (Off-Site Activity): Ghost Investigation at Seville Quarter

by Nicole Willis

IMPROVable Cause

Pensacola’s Professional Improv Troupe Celebrates 18 Years

by Morgan Cole

pensacola’s comedy scene has grown steadily over the last ten years and encompasses a growing group of dedicated comedians, filmmakers, writers and performers. More comedians are getting involved in the local scene each month, and regardless of fame, cash or even laughs, they keep coming back for more with no signs of slowing down.

Some of these people perform each week at open mics or alongside touring comedians at booked venues. Others are more comfortable filming a skit on location and sharing their jokes via YouTube or Facebook once a new video is complete. Some might be nervous or awkward, while others are bold and charming. Regardless of their personality type, the subject matter or their delivery style, they all share an insatiable desire to bring humor into the lives of strangers.

One such group is the Pensacola-based improv troupe, IMPROVable Cause. Founded in 2005 by a group of Pensacola actors and college students, IMPROVable Cause is Pensacola’s professional improv comedy troupe.

A lawyer, a therapist, an education director and a graphic designer— make up the cast of the proudly PG-13 IMPROVable Cause improv troupe, which hosts monthly performances at the Clark Family Cultural Center on Saturday nights.

Although its members hold full-time careers outside of the organization, this touring comedy troupe serves as a needed creative outlet for each of them. Of the original founding members, many of whom still perform with the troupe today, is IMPROVable Cause co-owner and Pensacola native, Brooke Hardy, who began

attending workshops when she was just 18 years old back before IMPROVable Cause was really brought together.

As time went on and more workshops were held, the same group of individuals kept attending and before they knew it, this same group had evolved into a performing improv troupe, Hardy explained.

“IMPROVable Cause first started as a murder mystery company that performed briefly in the early 2000s. By 2004, it had evolved into a series of free, public improv workshops led by Cole Dickson, and by December 2005, we were performing shows on a monthly basis,” Hardy said. “IMPROVable Cause was never created, it just evolved into what it is today. A group of community theatre actors and college students kept working on learning improv together every week and at some point, it was the same people, so it formed a troupe organically. We then decided to start performing, and that’s how we’ve become what we are today.”

For nearly 10 years, IMPROVable Cause hosted monthly performances and workshops at the now-defunct Silver Screen Movie Theatre near University Mall, until it unexpectedly closed down just before an upcoming show. Since 2014, IMPROVable Cause has proudly called the Pensacola Little Theatre home.

Now in its 18th year, IMPROVable Cause continues to host monthly performances and improv workshops that are open to the public. Outside of their regular monthly shows and workshop offerings, the group offers corporate team-building workshops, private entertainment for events and also participates

in various festivals, conferences, conventions and fundraisers for community groups and non profit organizations throughout the Pensacola area.

“We also offer public workshops for anyone who wants to learn the basics of improv comedy, as well as team-building sessions that use improv techniques to help empower employees in the workplace and build stronger team relationships,” Hardy said.

Hardy explained that improv has so many applications in our everyday lives, and the group teaches this in both their community improv workshops and during corporate team-building events.

“Improv is all about communication and collaboration. It’s about setting your fear aside and working together to build something brick-by-brick. The cardinal rule of improv is ‘yes, and,’ which is really about accepting others’ ideas and adding to them, which can lead to some really creative ways of working together, both in our interpersonal and professional lives. Also, saying ‘yes, and’ to life leads to some pretty amazing adventures,” Hardy explained.

Mostly sourced from the local theatre community or from their monthly workshops, IMPROVable Cause currently has eight performing troupe members, each of which are highly engaged in the local arts and theatre community.

“Over the years, we have mostly sourced members from the local theatre community or from our community workshops. We’ve never held formal auditions, and there’s never been a formal selection process. Some people come to us with formal improv training and experience, and others have never done it before but have good instincts and a desire to learn. Improv is truly a collaborative art form–a team sport. We always say that one of the most important jobs we have in improv comedy is to ‘make your scene partner look good.’ That means that it is our job to have each others’ backs no matter what. If we focus on making our teammates look good and feel supported, we’ll get the same back,” Hardy said.

The comedy organization is funded solely by revenue from ticket sales, private bookings and corporate events. With no full-time paid staff members, all IMPROVable Cause performers volunteer their time and talents to keep things running behind the scenes.

“When the group started performing in 2005, one of the goals was to pay local actors for their work—something that was very rare back then in Pensacola—and we continue to do that to this day. After we pay our expenses, the money earned from ticket sales or private events goes back to our performers,” Hardy said.

Their improv shows consist of short-form improv games based on audience suggestions, like the TV show Whose Line is it Anyway?

“Everything we do is off the tops of our heads without scripts, so no two shows are the same. Over the last nearly 18 years, we have been a paid group of improv comedy actors, which I think is a really cool thing. Not only that, but we rehearse for two hours each week to practice our skills and prepare for our shows. We’ve worked hard to cultivate a particular brand of improv that we’ve been told is pretty unique,” Hardy said.

If you’re looking to get your dose of late-night comedy, you can catch the IMPROVable Cause comedy troupe performing the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 pm at the Clark Family Cultural Center (aka Pensacola Little Theatre) located at 400 South Jefferson Street in downtown Pensacola.

The next IMPROVable Cause Live! performance will be held on September 2 at the Clark Family Cultural Center. Tickets are $10 each and available for purchase in advance from the PLT box office or at the door on performance nights starting at 10 pm.

With performances taking place later in the evening, content tends to lean more on the adult side of things. There’s no formal age requirement, but we would recommend ages 16 and older. Attendees also have access to a full bar starting at 10 pm.

If you are interested in sharpening your improv skills, the IMPROVable Cause comedy troupe will host their next public workshop on September 16 from 12 pm to 2 pm at The Gordon Community Art Center located at 306 N De Villiers Street in Pensacola. The cost to participate is $15 and space is limited to 20 participants. To reserve your spot, email by improvpensacola@gmail.com.

For more information on upcoming performances, workshop offerings or private event bookings, visit improvablecause.com or follow @improvablecause on social media.

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY EVENTS

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Schedule

September Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium. For tickets and information, visit milb.com.

September 1 at 6:35 pm - Chattanooga Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

September 2 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga

Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

September 3 at 4:05 pm - Chattanooga

Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos

September 12-15 at 6:35 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

September 16 at 6:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

September 17 at 4:05 pm - Mississippi Braves vs Blue Wahoos

Details for Division Championship Series Games are TBD

Seville Quarter Haunted Ghost Tour

. . . . . . Now through January 31

Come dine with the spirits of Seville on a Seville Quarter’s Haunted Ghost Tour! Take part in a paranormal investigation and then enjoy a meal at one of Pensacola’s oldest and most haunted restaurants. International psychic medium, Ericka Boussarhane, and members of her team will guide guests through the halls of Seville Quarter, telling tales of ghosts, murder, mayhem and more of downtown Historic Pensacola’s paranormal happenings. Tickets include the guided tour and a $12 meal voucher. Seville Quarter is located at 130 E Government Street in downtown Pensacola. Reservations are required. Tour dates and times vary. For reservation information and more details, visit pensacolaghostevents.com.

Cinemas in the Sand

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. September 1, 15 & 29

The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) will be hosting “Cinemas in the Sand,” free family-friendly movie nights. Held at the Gulfside Pavilion on Casino Beach, Cinemas in the Sand allows families to come together and enjoy the beautiful beach and a wholesome movie. On September 1, the SRIA will be showing The Greatest Showman. On September 15, Wall-E will be shown, and on September 29, Night at the Museum will be shown. The movies will begin playing at sunset on a giant inflatable outdoor movie screen. For more information visit visitpensacolabeach.com.

Godsmack at Pensacola Bay Center

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Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated hard rock band Godsmack is coming to the Pensacola Bay Center along with special guests Atreyu and Flatblack. With over 20 years of chart-topping success, Godsmack have cemented themselves as 21st-century hard rock titans. To date, they’ve released eight studio albums, accomplished a staggering 11 #1 singles at mainstream rock radio and achieved 20 Top 10 hits at the format. Additionally, they’ve enjoyed four Grammy nominations and were named Billboard Music Awards Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7. The Pensacola Bay Center is located downtown at 201 E Gregory Street. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Blue Angels Practice Dates

September 6, 12 & 19

The world-famous Blue Angels can be seen practicing over the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola select days throughout the year. Department of Defense identification cardholders and their guests (active duty service members, retirees, and their families) can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum to watch the Blue Angels practice. The gates will open 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.

depARTure: PLT’s Annual Benefit for Arts Education

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. September 7

Support local arts education through Pensacola Little Theatre’s annual benefit, depARTure. Running from 5 to 8 pm, the benefit will include live performances, libations, local auction items on the PLT court and a raffle for a grand prize. The grand prize raffle includes $4,000 cash or two tickets to the 2024 US Open Women’s and Men’s Finals (four tickets total), a three-night stay in New York and personal concierge service. Each ticket purchased grants entry into the raffle and the event. depARTure supports Pensacola Little Theatre’s scholarship program, helps keep tuition prices affordable, and sponsors the traveling theatre outreach troupe that takes arts education into the community. The Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 South Jefferson Street. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

The Hiding Place at the Rex Theatre ..

.. September 7 & 14

Enter a world of spies and espionage as Corrie ten Boom, her sister Betsie and her elderly father Casper, heroically hide Jews from the Nazi invaders in their little town in Holland. Since 1971, the best-selling book by John and Elisabeth Sherrill with Corrie ten Boom has sold millions of copies and continues to touch the hearts of readers. With the power of live theatre and music this production brings Corrie’s story to audiences in a powerful and exciting new way. Experience it for yourself this fall at the Rex Theatre! The Rex Theatre is located at 18 N Palafox Street. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7. For tickets and more information, visit hidingplacemusical.com.

20th Annual Vettes at the Beach

Steve-O @ Pensacola Saenger

September 16

Jackass star, stand-up comedian, and New York Times best-selling author, Steve-O, is stopping by the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on The Bucket List Tour. Every idea on SteveO’s bucket list was so ill-advised, he never expected to go through with any of them... until it was time to prepare for this tour. Not only are the stunts more ridiculous than what you already know Steve-O for, he did them all, and made a multimedia comedy show out of them. Not for kids or the faint of heart. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. The show starts at 7 and doors open at 6 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Pensacola Seafood Festival

September 29 - October 1

. . . .

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The Miracle Strip Corvette Club will be celebrating its 20th annual Vettes at the Beach this September. The all Corvette car show has grown to host over 300 Corvettes from all over the country. People flock to the beach to join in on a day of friendship, great food and beautiful cars. Vettes at the Beach is held from 8 am to 3:30 pm in the Pensacola Beach parking lot. More than 35 trophies will be awarded and the National Corvette Museum will be on site with many Corvette treasures to purchase. The Miracle Strip Corvette Club proudly supports the Santa Rosa Kids’ House and Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida as its charities with proceeds from the show. For more information, visit miraclestripcorvette.com.

Magic City Hippies at Vinyl Music Hall

September 16

Florida-based trio, Magic City Hippies, will be bringing their indie funk sounds to the Vinyl Music Hall. With their unique rock, pop and funk influenced sound, Magic City Hippies draws fans of all ages and demographics. Robby Hunter, Pat Howard and John Coughlin formed the band back in 2015 in Miami. Now the group is traveling North and stopping in Pensacola to perform on September 16. Doors open at 8 and the show begins at 9 pm. The Vinyl Music Hall is located at 2 S Palafox Street. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.

Savor delicious seafood, enjoy various musical acts and immerse yourself in historic downtown Pensacola during the annual Pensacola Seafood Festival, hosted by Fiesta Pensacola. This free festival features some of the best seafood vendors on the coast, as well as arts, crafts, family-friendly activities and more than 150 artisans and craftsmen. The festival is open from 11 am to 11 pm on Friday, 10 am to 11pm on Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday. For more event details, visit pensacolaseafoodfestival.com.

The Wingman Foundation Memorial 5K Run

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September 30

The Wingman Foundation Memorial Run serves to honor and remember fallen Naval and Marine Corps air warriors. The run will take place in historic downtown Pensacola, beginning and ending at Seville Quarter on E Government Street. Runners also have a virtual registration option, so you can participate from anywhere. In addition to the 5K, there will also be a one mile fun run for kids 12 and under. Race proceeds support The Wingman Foundation, an all-volunteer run nonprofit that endeavors to support Gold Star families and the families of injured aircrew after a mishap occurs. The race begins at 7:30 am on September 30. To register for the race or learn more, visit raceroster.com.

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

COAST GUARD CUTTER DAUNTLESS RETURNS HOME

FOLLOWING 42-DAY MULTI-MISSION PATROL

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless (WMEC 624) returned to their homeport in Pensacola Saturday following a 42-day patrol in the Windward Pass.

Operating under the Seventh Coast Guard District’s area of responsibility in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry and Homeland Security Taskforce — Southeast, Dauntless’ primary mission was deterring dangerous, illegal migration.

Notably, Dauntless’ crew contributed to the protection of life at sea by detecting an overloaded 60-foot vessel with 274 persons aboard. Dauntless worked with other Coast Guard assets to safely interdict the vessel at sea and handle the subsequent care and repatriation of the individuals.

In addition, the Dauntless crew also supported the Coast Guard’s counterdrug mission by detecting one go-fast vessel suspected of carrying illegal narcotics in Haitian waters.

“I am extremely impressed with the crew’s excellent performance during the ship’s first patrol in more than nine months following an extended maintenance period,” said Cmdr. Aaron Kowalczk, commanding officer of Dauntless. “The Dauntless’ crew continues to provide for the safety of mariners and the enforcement of maritime laws and treaties.”

Dauntless is a 210-foot Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-narcotics operations, migrant interdiction, living marine resource protection, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. COAST CHIEF PETTY OFFICER WIL WIGGINS, A CREW MEMBER ASSIGNED TO GUARD CUTTER DAUNTLESS (WMEC 624), GREETS HIS SPOUSE AT THE UNIT’S RETURN TO HOMEPORT IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, AUG. 19, 2023. THE DAUNTLESS CREW COMPLETED A 42-DAY PATROL IN THE WINDWARD PASSAGE. (U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO BY COURTESY OF DAUNTLESS)

STORY BY ENSIGN OLIVIA GONZALEZ