Downtown Crowd: April 2023

Morgan Cole, Editor

“ Music is the universal language of mankind .”

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Famous 19th century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow couldn’t have said it any better. Music truly is a powerful tool that has the ability to bring people together. Not only does it foster a sense of community, it provides a collective experience that can overcome any physical distance.

As a tribute to our community’s robust music scene and in observance of Record Store Day on April 22, we have brought you a special music-themed issue of DTC. We’ve rounded up details on all of the upcoming community concerts and live music events occurring throughout the city and also consulted with experts at local records shops to bring you the scoop on the current vinyl craze that’s sweeping the nation. This popular music format is currently outselling any other physical music format, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the total revenue in 2022! Be sure to check out the story on page 12 to learn more about why this throwback music format is once again taking the music industry by storm.

You’ll also read about the upcoming Earth Day Pensacola celebration happening at Bayview Park this month and one of my favorite returning events of the year, Plantapalooza.

As always, I hope you enjoy the read and until next time, cheers!

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All Right Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2023

5 Questions With Creatives

Keith Cross, Kudu Ceramics

Keith Cross is a local ceramicist creating planters with personality. Inspired by the techniques and designs of his African ancestors, Cross creates a variety of ceramic pieces including planter pots, plates, figures and more. Cross is best known for his planter pots that resemble faces. Each of his ceramic planters feature unique, one-of-a-kind faces.

Cross is also the founder and owner of Kudu Ceramics, where he sells his work both in person and online through his Etsy store of the same name. This month, Cross will have a variety of his planters available for sale at Plantapalooza, which will be hosted at Gary’s Brewery and Biergarten on Earth Day (April 22). Cross also regularly attends and showcases his work at Gallery Night in downtown Pensacola.

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

I’m originally from Central Florida, but I moved to Pensacola shortly after high school to be close to family. I decided to pursue a degree in biology at PSC but the college path wasn’t for me. I found myself looking for a basic paying job and decided to work at Publix because it was more or less a family business and it would be easy to get a job. After almost a decade of working there, I wasn’t really satisfied with life in retail and grocery. My partner urged me to find something I actually enjoyed doing with my time. I really loved ceramics and pottery, so I decided to give it a try and it just blossomed like a flower in my life.

What medium or type of art would you consider your work to be?

Technically my work is mixed-media, but mainly ceramics. I make my pieces out of clay first. After they are fired I will sometimes use other things like fabric, beadwork, and leather as additions to the composition. The type of art I produce has a cultural significance

because I follow in the footsteps of my African ancestors in their techniques and designs. On another note, I produce a lot of work related to nature such as decorative leaf plates and replicas of fossils.

How long have you been interested in ceramics, and how did you first get into the craft?

I’ve been a part of the ceramics world for about two years. One day, I looked around my garden and decided I didn’t have any nice planters and the nice ones in the stores were kind of pricey and didn’t have drainage holes. Thus, I began my work in ceramics. From there it evolved into a great relationship with my own cultural history in the practice of ceramics, from utilitarian water vessels to sacred votives.

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

I hand-build all of my pieces using coiling or slab techniques. I usually start with a piece of clay rolled up and flattened into a pancake. I then place that in a shallow bowl called a “puki” to use

by Nicole Willis

as a base. Then I attach coils of clay and build the walls up as high as I want them. I like to use these techniques because they were used by ancient peoples from many cultures. It can be slow, laborious and frustrating at times, but worth it once you’re in sync with your own building technique.

Tell me a little bit about the different types of pieces you create. What are some of your most popular items?

I’ve created many face pots, jugs with faces, decorative pots, leaf plates, drinking vessels, abstract human figures and masks. Everyone loves my face pots. They’re usually the first thing people see; I guess because it’s a face looking back at them. I love the comments people make about them and how every one that I make is different.

The type of art I produce has a cultural significance because I follow in the footsteps of my African ancestors in their techniques and designs.”

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Summer Jams Summer Jams

Live Music & Concert Events

by Morgan Cole

Plato once said, “Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” While recordings and video technology enable us to enjoy our favorite artists’ music from home or anywhere while on the go, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of experiencing a live concert. By enjoying live music in person, we experience its irreplaceable power to create a sense of connection.

Whether you prefer the quiet, laidback sound of a guitar picking or the thrill of a crowd and a blaring concert environment, our local music scene offers plenty of opportunities for enjoying live music. We’ve brought you details on some of our favorite upcoming live music events and concerts taking place throughout the city. From free outdoor concerts on the water to nationally renowned artists performing live in our local venues, there’s something that’s sure to please just about any music lover.

Bands on the Beach

Pensacola Beach’s popular outdoor concert series Bands on the Beach returns April 4, featuring diverse bands and performances for every musical taste. Presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, the free, weekly concerts are held every Tuesday night through October 31 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Featuring a lineup of regional artists, Bands on the Beach delivers an eclectic musical experience throughout the entire summer. Grab a few friends, throw on your flip-flops, pack the cooler and head out to Pensacola Beach to enjoy one or all of the weekly concert events. Check out the full 2023 concert schedule online at visitpensacolabeach.com.

April 2023 Concerts:

April 4 Reunion Band

April 11

April 18

Bands on the Bayou

Brought to you by the East Hill Neighborhood Association in partnership with the City of Pensacola, Bands on the Bayou is an outdoor concert series that gives back to our local community. Through contributions from local sponsors, this family-friendly concert series is free and open to the public. Concerts are held on the bank of Bayou Texar at Bayview Park located in East Hill at 2001 E Lloyd Street in Pensacola. Performances feature both local and regional talent from a variety of music genres. Gather your friends, a few chairs or blankets and come set up on the lawn outside the Bayview Community Center. Boat access is available and concergoers are also welcome to anchor in the bayou to take in the tunes from their own watercraft. Local food trucks will also be on-site dishing up tasty treats and beverages. Proceeds from each concert directly benefit local non-profit organizations throughout our community. Check out the full calendar of upcoming concerts and food truck vendors at bandsonthebayou.com.

Disco Kiss

Whitesands Panhandle Band

April 25 Bay Bridge Band

2023 Concert Schedule:

April 15

July 22

October 7

John Hart & The Prince Brothers

Ben Loftin & The Family

Blues on the Bay

Keep those lawn chairs at bay for Blues on the Bay, a series of free outdoor performances held at the Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater in downtown Pensacola. Concerts are held throughout the spring and summer months on select Sunday evenings when the Blue Wahoos are away. Pack up the picnic basket and lawn chairs and head out to the Hunter Amphitheater to enjoy some of the region’s top musical talent and sweeping views of Pensacola Bay. Concerts begin at 6 pm and are free and open to the public. For updates and to view the full schedule of upcoming concerts, check out @BluesOnTheBayPensacola on Facebook.

Upcoming Blues on the Bay Concerts:

April 15

May 14

May 28

Modern Eldorados

NOBiUS

Civilized Natives

Pensacola Bay Music Fest

Enjoy live music all day at the spring edition of the Pensacola Bay Fest at the Community Maritime Park ampitheatre on April 15 from 11 am to 11 pm. The festival will feature local and regional bands performing your favorite tribute songs live on stage throughout the day and night. Food trucks and adult beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Grab your lawn chairs or a blanket and head out to the Community Maritime Park ampitheatre located at 301 West Main Street in downtown Pensacola. General admissions tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or online at bit.ly/PcolaBayMusicFest23. VIP tables are also available for groups of up to six people for $350. Children ages 12 and under are admitted for free. Parking is $10. For complete event details, visit apexshowsandevents.com.

Pensacola Bay Muysic Fest Spring 2023 Lineup: Goldmine - Tribute to the Golden Era of Classic Rock

OTHER UPCOMING SHOWS & CONCERTS

Bands on the Blackwater

Held each spring from April through June along the west bank of the Blackwater River in Downtown Milton, the Bands on the Blackwater Concert Series features live outdoor music in a family-friendly setting. From local favorites to national touring bands, the spring concert series offers a variety of music from Bluegrass, country, Blues and rock and roll will be performed live on stage. Concerts are held on Friday nights from 7 pm to 9 pm at Jernigan’s Landing located at 5158 South Willing Street in Milton. Blankets, chairs and coolers are welcome, and dancing is highly encouraged. “Bands Fans” are also welcome to come by boat, or anchor up and enjoy the concerts from the river. A variety of local food vendors will also be on-site dishing up delicious eats for crowds to enjoy at each concert. To view the complete Banks on the Blackwater lineup for 2023 and the list of local food vendors, check out @BandsOnTheBlackwater on Facebook or visit miltonfl.org.

Spring 2023 Concerts:

April 7

April 14

April 21

April 28

40th Annual Pensacola JazzFest

April 1 & 2 from 10 am to 7 pm

Seville Square, 311 E. Government Street (downtwon Pensacola)

Tickets: NO-COST family-friendly event

Visit jazzfestpensacola.com for complete event details

Umphrey’s McGee

April 12 @ 8 pm

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox Place (downtown Pensacola)

Tickets: $35 to $40

For tickets and show details, visit vinylmusichall.com

Soulja Boy

May 9 @ 8 pm (ages 18+ only)

Hired Guns

Honey Island Swamp Band

Ben Loftin & The Family

Stormfolk

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox Place

Early Bird Tickets (on sale now): $30

For tickets and show details, visit vinylmusichall.com

HOPS & HORTICULTURE Plantapalooza Returns for Earth Day

by Morgan Cole

Celebrate the Northwest Florida plaNt commuNity this earth day at plaNtapalooza 2023. Co-hosted annually by Gary’s Brewery and Biergarten and the Pensacola Hoya Lovers, this local celebration of all things green has quickly grown to become one of the most anticipated plant market events of the year.

This year’s Earth Day Plantapalooza event will be held April 22 from 12 pm - 5 pm at Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten (formerly the Gulf Coast Nursery) in Pensacola.

According to event organizer and founder of Pensacola Hoya Lovers, Amanda Ferrell, this year’s Plantapalooza festivities are set to be bigger and better than ever before.

“This year, we have nearly 50 local plant and garden vendors lined up to attend, including a face painter, the UWF Botanical Society and many more. There will also be a variety of plant-related crafts as well as plants available for sale from both home and commercial plant growers.”

In addition to the 18 craft beers that will be available on tap, Gary’s Brewery & Beirgarten has also crafted a signature brew for this year’s event. There will also be two local food trucks on-site dishing up their delicious eats for attendees.

“Gary’s has even crafted a special Plantapalooza Pale Ale for the event. They also have plans to offer their new wine slushies as well as their tasty ciders, wines and homemade root beer. There will also be snow cones and other non-alcoholic beverages available,” Ferrell said.

There is no cost to attend this free family-friendly event. All you need to bring is your appetite and something to carry your new plants home in.

Ferrell said that the event was designed to support and celebrate local businesses, plant people and the community. “I wanted this to be an event all about the local plant community—not just hoyas but all types of plant lovers. It is a celebration of all we do, all of our hard work and the resulting rewarding payoff,” she explained.

The entire community is invited to come out for a day of food, fun and plants. Attendees will have a chance to shop the booths of multiple local vendors set up throughout the garden area. Local vendors will be selling a variety of native and rare plants as well as fun plant accessories.

“I want people to be able to come here and get educated about plants, to be able to buy locally grown plants either by a small individual or a hard working local business, to have access to locally made plant related goods that they won’t see elsewhere. As the event has grown, so has my vision for it, but the core of it is the entire plant community,” Ferrell said. “Everyone is welcome to this event! Bring your pets, bring your kids and bring something to carry all those plants in.”

Kick off your Earth Day celebration at Plantapalooza on Saturday, April 22 from 12 to 5 pm at Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten at located at 208 Newman Avenue in Pensacola. Visit

Dust off that olD stereo anD snag your parents’ recorDs because vinyl is back! According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 2022 marked the sixteenth consecutive year that vinyl has continued to rise in popularity. Last year was the first year since 1987 that more vinyl records were sold than CDs. In a time where every album is digitally in the palm of our hands, this data points to the resurrection of a fading format and industry.

In anticipation of Record Store Day on April 22, we spoke with Eric Jones, owner of Pensacola’s Revolver Records, who says that vinyl’s popularity has steadily been on the rise for more than a decade “I would say vinyl dipped in the 90s and the 2000s,” Jones explained. “The teens [2013, 2014, etc.] is when it started kicking back in and it’s still going strong. We’ll see how long that lasts. It could be a bubble that bursts, or next year could bring twice what it did this year.”

In recent years, older and newer artists alike are promoting vinyl records to their fanbases. Older artists like Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones are reissuing their catalogs on vinyl, and newer artists like Billie Eilish and Harry Styles are even releasing some of their newest albums on vinyl. Fans are jumping at the chance to get the latest vinyl releases from their favorite artists.

According to the RIAA, 41 million vinyl records were sold in 2022 alone. In the past year, vinyl revenue grew 17 percent, reaching $1.2 billion in total sales. Vinyl proved to be the most popular physical music format for consumers in 2022, accounting for 71 percent of the total revenue made by any other physical music formats. These national trends match local trends, as vinyl is also the topselling format at Revolver Records. When asked about the shop’s recent sales, Jones said: “[Sales] have bumped up a little bit because more people are into records. Yes, there’s been an increase. Ever since I reopened Revolver in 2010, vinyl has been my bread and butter, meat and potatoes. It’s been just about all I sell.”

With all this talk about vinyl making such a big comeback, one may wonder why today’s teens and young adults are gravitating toward a format that feels outdated. After all, vinyl has been succeeded by cassettes, 8-tracks, CDs, MP3s and today’s popular streaming format. While each new format has claimed to improve the listening experience, many people still see vinyl as the best and most magical way to experience their favorite music. Three major factors contribute to the recent resurgence of vinyl records: sound, collectability and experience.

People are rediscovering (or discovering for the first time) the warm sound that vinyl has. In a world where we gravitate towards Spotify and Apple Music out of convenience, a warm and rich-sounding record can be a good way to take a break from the compressed and almost robotic sound of listening to music on streaming platforms. Because of the openness that vinyl has in comparison to the compressed sound of music on streaming platforms, there are sounds that one may hear on the vinyl version of the album that get lost in the digital version.

In addition to the richness of vinyl, many older (and some new) records sound better on vinyl because they were mastered to be listened to on vinyl. For example, since Spotify did not exist in the 1960s, the Beatles mixed their records with the intention of consumers listening to the finished product on vinyl. Because the artist’s intention was to have the album played on a turntable, it sounds better on a turntable.

Another major factor contributing to the recent increase in vinyl sales is the collectability aspect of vinyl records. Today, vinyl comes in so many varieties—it is pressed with different colors, glitter inside of it, a splattered effect, different shapes, etc. While it was possible to press funky-colored and patterned vinyl in the 70s and 80s, it was much less common. Since vinyl was the standard format for listening to music back then, the appearance of the record did not matter much to the consumer. If the record played music, the product was good. These fun varieties have created an aesthetic aspect to collecting records.

by Nicole Willis

Several artists are cashing in on the collectability aspect of the vinyl craze. Most recently, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released four editions of her latest album Midnights on vinyl. Each of the four editions featured a different colored record and different album art. When a fan purchases all four albums, they can lay out the records with the back covers facing up to connect the back cover art, which makes a clock. The funny thing about the four records is apart from the different colored records and the different cover art, the track listing and music is the exact same on all four copies of the album.

Swift is the prime example of an artist who understands the collectability aspect of the vinyl craze. She essentially sold the same album four times. Swift not only made this smart marketing move to sell more records, but she also sold a kit that allows fans to wall-mount each of the records and place moving clock hands in the center. This type of collectability is what many new vinyl fans crave; they want something that looks as good as it sounds. Many people are purchasing and collecting vinyl only for its physical aesthetic, and not to listen to it. According to Billboard, nearly half of the people who purchase vinyl records do not own an actual record player.

The physical ritual of vinyl also plays into another contributor to vinyl’s resurgence—the experience. Many people are falling in love with vinyl because of the experience they get all the way from buying an album to taking it home and enjoying it. The vinyl experience often starts with browsing the selection at a local record store. Flicking through stacks of albums and finding something unique is exciting. It is equally exciting to look at all the details hidden in the cover art—something that isn’t possible with a tiny album image on a screen.

When the time to play the album finally comes, it is exciting to drop the needle on the record and be immersed in the warm sound seeping out of the speakers. Listening to an album all the way through and hearing the songs on an album in their intended order creates a complete experience. From browsing through thousands of records at a record store, to hearing the last track on an album, people are enjoying the distinct experience that vinyl provides.

The vinyl revival has been kindled by fans who want to seek out albums, admire the physical art of an album cover, and enjoy the warm sounds of their favorite artist an experience that streaming can never provide. Perhaps this unique experience is why vinyl is still on fire after all these years and other formats. “Vinyl is more popular maybe than it was a year or two ago, but that doesn’t mean it was ever unpopular,” Jones explained. “There’s always been a strong market for vinyl. It’s stronger now but even at its lowest point, vinyl was never really dead.”

What is Record Store Day?

Vinyl has made such a comeback that there is even a holiday centered around the idea of collecting Record Store Day (RSD). RSD is a biannual daylong event that celebrates the independently-owned record stores that supply local communities and keep the love of vinyl alive and spinning.

RSD was first held on April 19, 2008. Since then, the event has grown into the worldwide phenomenon it is today. RSD draws people out to independent record stores to shop exclusive titles and mingle with fellow vinyl lovers. If a record store chooses to participate in RSD, they can receive exclusive RSD titles from large and small artists alike.

In addition to exclusive titles, record stores have other fun things on RSD. Many shops offer promotional items like posters, tote bags, and pins showcasing featured artists and sponsors of RSD. Some shops even offer customers live music and refreshments to keep them entertained while they browse.

Each year, RSD is celebrated on the third Saturday of April and on Black Friday. This year’s RSD celebration date of April 22 is fastly approaching. A few local shops that participate in Record Store Day and receive exclusive RSD titles are Music Box, Revolver Records and if you’re up for a drive, Dr. Music in Fairhope, AL.

In the spirit of RSD, show some support for these participating independent record shops, as well as others across the area. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a special map of local record shops for you to check out. Happy hunting!

A Day of Earth-Friendly Fun for the Entire Community

by Gillian Rabold

WITH EARTH DAY JUST AROUND THE CORNER, MANY OF YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE. Fortunately, there are many ways, both large and small, for you to give back to Mother Earth on Earth Day. From beach cleanups to recycling drives, there are numerous events happening across the city for you to participate in.

One returning favorite is Earth Day Pensacola. This free community event is held each year at Bayview Park in the East Hill neighborhood of Pensacola.

This year’s event will be held Saturday, April 22 from 10 am to 4 pm. This fun-filled Earth Day event will feature an afternoon of earth-friendly hand-crafted items, tasty local food and beverages, information booths, live music and more.

“For more than 50 years, Earth Day celebrations have sought to educate communities and promote community involvement on climate change, clean energy and the challenges of growth,” Earth Day Pensacola event organizer Christian Wagley said.

The first Earth Day celebration in the United States took place in 1970 across many school campuses, encouraging students to get outdoors and learn about the environment. These localized Earth Day events are part of a larger effort called Earth Day Network which provides resources and educational content year-round for all ages. Although Earth Day Pensacola is part of this larger effort, its committee of volunteers have created an event that is truly Pensacola. After a short hiatus, Earth Day Pensacola was brought back in 1990 and has been a local favorite ever since.

“We have a great volunteer committee that works hard behind the scenes to create a really special event,” Wagley said. “The energy and enthusiasm of the committee is contagious, and that will be reflected at Earth Day [Pensacola].”

This year’s Earth Day Pensacola will feature delicious vegan food from local eateries and food trucks, incredible live music, art, hands-on activities, education booths and plenty of fun for kids and adults alike.

Wagley explained that the primary goals for hosting the event are to help educate the community about environmental issues that impact us on small and large scales, empower individuals and organizations to make more eco-minded decisions and to mobilize the community toward actions create a cleaner Pensacola.

“We are most looking forward to the local vendors and their handcrafted, earth-friendly goodies. These are things like art and personal care products that people make in their kitchens and home workshops,” Wagley explained. “It’s so great to support our local artisans and craftspeople. And of course I love the food. We’ll have amazing vegan food from several local sources.”

Join Earth Day Pensacola on Saturday, April 22 from 10 am to 4 pm at Bayview Park located at 2001 E Lloyd St. in Pensacola. There is no cost to attend this free family friendly event. For complete event details, visit earthdaypensacola.com. If you want to become involved in helping protect and save the earth year-round, visit earthday.org for information on upcoming volunteer opportunities.

GET INVOLVED LOCALLY!

Numerous organizations host cleanups at various locations across city, and they’re always seeking volunteers. Check out some or all of these local organizations for details on how you can get involved in an upcoming community cleanup event happening near you.

Ocean Hour Florida

Hosts weekly beach cleanups on Saturday mornings throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Website: oceanhourfl.com

Our Corner: Keep America Beautiful Affiliate (formerly Keep Pensacola Beautiful)

Hosts community and beach cleanups throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities are available for annual fundraisers, community events, programs and more.

Website: ourcornerescambia.org/volunteer

Pensacola & Perdidio Bays Estuary Program

Hosts events and cleanups throughout the community on a year-round basis. Volunteer opportunities include getting involved with education and outreach, debris removal, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring and more.

Website: ppbep.org

City of Pensacola Parks & Recreation Department

Hosts a series of local cleanup events year-round throughout the city. Current volunteer opportunities include:

• Bay Bluffs Preserve & Chimney Park Cleanups Held the second Saturday of each month

• Bartram Park, Graffiti Bridge and Wayside Park/Project Greenshores Cleanups Held the third Saturday of each month

• Bayou Texar Boat Ramp, Bruce Beach, Phillip Payne Bridge & Sanders Beach Cleanups Held bi-monthly (or as needed)

Website: cityofpensacola.com/570/Volunteer

DID YOU KNOW?

The billions upon billions of plastic waste items choking our oceans, lakes and rivers and piling up on land is not only unsightly, it’s also harmful to to humans, plants and wildlife.Plastic pollution is very real, and although single-use plastics are often small in size, they have a huge impact. We’ve rounded up ten facts from earthday.org that shed some light on how big the problem of single-use plastics really is.

1. AROUND 380 MILLION METRIC TONS OF PLASTIC are being produced yearly. 8.3 BILLION METRIC TONS (9.1 BILLION US Tons) of plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. The amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly the same as the entire weight of humanity.

2. Humans use about 1.2 MILLION PLASTIC BOTTLES PER MINUTE in total. Approximately 91 PERCENT OF PLASTIC IS NOT RECYCLED. Roughly half of our global annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product.

3. Virtually every piece of plastic that was ever made still exists in some shape or form (with the exception of the small amount that has been incinerated).

4. Americans purchase about 50 BILLION WATER BOTTLES PER YEAR, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every person in the U.S. This means by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.

5. FIVE TRILLION PLASTIC BAGS ARE PRODUCED WORLDWIDE ANNUALLY. It can take up to 1,000 YEARS for a bag to disintegrate completely. Americans throw away 100 billion bags annually–that’s the equivalent to dumping nearly 12 MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL! By switching to reusable shopping bags, we can eliminate that waste– which amounts to about 307 bags per person.

6. Americans alone use HALF A BILLION DRINKING STRAWS every day.

7. The world uses 500 BILLION PLASTIC CUPS EVERY YEAR. The world also produces more than 29 MILLION US TONS OF POLYSTYRENE (plastic foam) each year.

8. Americans alone throw away around 25 BILLION STYROFOAM COFFEE CUPS every year.

9. In 2017, packaging production constituted the highest-demanded use for plastic, with 146 MILLION METRIC TONS used.

10. At least 14 MILLION TONS OF PLASTIC end up in our oceans every year. Many countries lack the infrastructure to prevent plastic pollution such as: sanitary landfills; incineration facilities; recycling capacity and circular economy infrastructure; proper management and disposal of waste systems.

Source: Courtesy of earthday.org

What We’re Listening to This Month

Hozier, Eat Your Young

by Nicole Willis

On March 17, Irish musician and singersongwriter Hozier released his first EP in almost five years, Eat Your Young. Key characteristics of Hozier’s music include powerful vocals, storytelling lyrics and the incorporation of orchestral and choral elements into his songs. Eat Your Young features all of these qualities and more.

The EP kicks off with title track, Eat Your Young, in which Hozier gives a nod to Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal within the song’s lyrical content. Hozier commonly incorporates Irish stories and history into his songwriting, and he is likely doing so here. This track’s lyrics could be interpreted in many ways; Hozier comments on the state of the world, inflation and the generational culture gap by using a tongue-incheek concept of eating one’s young.

In the second track on this album, All Things End, Hozier’s lyrics embrace life’s cyclical beginnings and endings. The vocals throughout the album are incredible; I particularly enjoy the addition of the choir that comes in at about two-thirds of the way through the track

The EP comes to a close with the song Through Me (The Flood). On this track, Hozier employs imagery to portray the experiences of loss and death, and the sound is amazing. The strong, almost belting vocals in the chorus, quick catchy drum fills and orchestral instrumentation, combine to make for a wonderful listening experience. With an EP this good, I am truly looking forward to his forthcoming album.

Full length album, Unreal Unearth, set to be released later this year

Miley Cyrus, Endless Summer Vacation

by Darien Hardy

Miley Cyrus released her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, as an anticipated follow-up to 2020’s Plastic Hearts. Her latest 12-song set is split into two halves: in a recent Insider interview, Cyrus explained that the first half, “am,” captures the “buzz” and “potential” of dawn, while “pm” is about “slinky seediness, and kind of a grime, but a glamor at the same time.”

The “am” section of the album starts strong and delivers seven bold and brilliant songs, with no two sounding alike. Cyrus’ genre versatility shines in the first half as she jumps from pop, to country, then R&B to synth, then back to pop. Interestingly enough, each genre seems to mellowly flow from one to the next.

The “pm” songs seem to lose the energy that the earlier songs debuted, even though that’s when listeners should be holding attention. Critics have said that Cyrus front-loaded her album, but I see it more as part of the story. The beginning of the story is about revitalization and maturity, while the end morphs into something more of a grungy sadness.

Overall, Cyrus’ album is about evolution at its core, from the chart topper, Flowers, all the way to the acoustic demo version of the same song. With each piece, Cyrus gains more maturity and satisfaction. The album contains much of what listeners look for from Cyrus: spunk, spice, amazing vocals and her ultimate comparison between being a free spirit and wanting to give in completely to something, or someone, else.

Notable Tracks:

Rose Colored Lenses

Thousand Miles (feat. Brandi Carlile) You

Taylor Swift, Midnights

by Gillian Rabold

Taylor Swift’s recently released tenth album, Midnights, is her first nonrerecorded album since her 2020 albums Folklore and Evermore. She released two versions of Midnights–one version with 13 tracks that “form a full picture of the intensities of that mystifying, mad hour,” says Swift, as well as a “3am” version that includes seven additional tracks. This album takes listeners through 13 different stories reminiscing on misjudgments and heartbreak, as well as a hopefulness and growth that can be experienced through healing. Mixing dream-like lyrics with her usual pop sound, Swift creates a sense of longing and nostalgia that can be felt most strongly in the middle of the night, hence the album title: Midnights.

Swift kicked off the Eras Tour in March, which features tracks from Midnights as well as many of her previous albums taking audiences on a trip through her eras in a single night. A handful of days prior to her tour announcement, Midnights was released. It is the perfect prequel to Swift’s Eras Tour because it showcases her range in one album. From the track Sweet Nothing which can be reminiscent of her Folklore album to Vigilante Shit that has hints of Reputation, Midnights is a dream for longtime fans, and a map of her music for those just beginning to listen.

Notable Tracks:

Sweet Nothing

Mastermind Karma

APRIL COMMUNITY EVENTS

6th Annual Golf Ball Gala

Don’t miss the biggest golf party of the year at this year’s Golf Ball Gala. Hosted annually by the First Tee of the Gulf Coast, the Golf Ball Gala will feature a Masters-inspired cocktail buffet and top shelf bar, live music, a 5,000-foot putting course contest, live and silent auction items, including unique trips and golf memorabilia and more. The event will be held Friday, April 7 from 6:30 to 10 pm at the Court of De Luna Event Space located at 116 E Gonzalez Street in Pensacola. Event proceeds will benefit the youth programs of First Tee Gulf Coast. Sponsorship packages and event tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at thefirstteegulfcoast.org

Disney On Ice @ The Bay Center

with this show on April 12. The show will begin at 6 pm. The Handlebar is located at 319 N Tarragona St. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $18 at the door. For tickets and more details, visit thehandlebar850.com.

Pensacola Kidney Walk

Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team! Doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 7 pm. The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E Gregory Street. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

The Price is Right Live! @ Pensacola

Saenger

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April 19

held at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 South Palafox Place. In-person and virtual tickets are available. The show begins at 7:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

The Book of Mormon @ Pensacola Saenger

April 25-27

7-9

Discover why no dream is too big at Disney On Ice when your favorite Disney stories come to life through world-class ice skating. Seek adventure in the great wide somewhere with Belle as she explores the Beast’s enchanted castle, experience Moana’s courage to embark on a voyage with demigod Maui to save her island, and sing along with Miguel from Coco as he follows the music in his heart. Be inspired by Anna’s devotion to her sister Elsa on her journey to the North Mountain to stop the eternal winter, and watch Rapunzel and Flynn go to great lengths to make her dream come true. Celebrate the magic of courage, love, and adventure at Disney On Ice! The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E Gregory Street. For tickets, showtimes and more information, visit pensacolabaycenter.com.

Cinderella @ Pensacola Saenger

April 8

Welcome to the magical world of Cinderella, coming to the Saenger Theatre this Spring! An enchanting story for all ages with a wonderful dose of humor, the majesty of classical ballet, and the promise of “happily ever after. A part of the World Ballet Series, Cinderella is performed live by a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers gathered to bring the most celebrated fairy tale to life. A visually stunning production accompanied by Sergei Prokofiev’s passionate celebrated score, over 150 hand-sewn radiant costumes, richly detailed hand-crafted sets, and sparkling choreography by Marina Kessler. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Whitmer Thomas @ The Handlebar

April 12

Whitmer Thomas is an American comedian, actor and musician, best known for his voice role as Whit on the FXX comedy series, Stone Quackers. Thomas has also had roles in a variety of shows and films including on Sword of Trust, The Walking Dead and The Good Place. In February of 2020, Thomas released his hour-long comedy special, The Golden One, on HBO. Come get a taste of Thomas’ comedy in downtown Pensacola at The Handlebar. As a native to Gulf Shores, AL, Thomas will be performing close to home

April 15

Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest walk to fight kidney disease. Held in nearly 100 communities, the event raises awareness and funds lifesaving programs that educate and support patients, their families and those at risk. The Pensacola Kidney Walk will be held on April 15 at the Pensacola Beach Gulfside Pavilion (20 Casino Beach Boardwalk). Registration is at 8:30 am, the opening ceremony is at 9:30 am, and the walk begins at 10 am. If you are unable to make it out on the day of the walk, you can still donate and support a team online. To donate, register or learn more about the event, visit kidneywalk.org/pensacola.

PSC Spanish Film Festival at WSRE

April 15

As part of the Pensacola State College International Festival, the PSC Spanish Film Festival at WSRE will feature matinee screenings of five films from the Pragda Spanish Film Club series: Cacu: A Change for Life at 10 am; In the Heights at 11:30 am; Even the Rain at 2:15 pm; My Name is Gennet at 4:15 pm; The Queen of Spain at 6 pm. The PSC Spanish Film Festival was funded in part by a Spanish Film Club grant awarded to Pensacola State College. Admission to the event is free. The event is hosted at the WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio located at 1000 College Blvd. For more information, visit wsre. org or pensacolastate.edu.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra in the Park .

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April 16

Pack a lawn chair or a blanket, and join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra at 3 pm for a free outdoor performance at Museum Plaza in Downtown Pensacola! This event features Stephanie Riegle, flute; Burcu Goker, violin; and Sasha Pereverzeva, cello. We will be joined by Nancy Ball with Brush and Sketch and the Visual Arts Association of Northwest Florida, with activities for the children in attendance. We will also be collecting donations for Manna Food Pantries, including their most needed items: canned or pouches of chicken, tuna, canned mixed vegetables, microwavable Meals, canned fruit in 100% juice, peanut butter, and single-serve oatmeal packets. These events are offered in partnership with the University of West Florida Historic Trust with special assistance from WUWF 88.1 FM and Dale Riegle. For more information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.

Harlem Globetrotters

The Price Is Right Live™ is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to hear their names called and “Come On Down” to win. Prizes may include appliances, vacations and possibly a new car! Play classic games just like on television’s longest running and most popular game show... from Plinko ™ to Cliffhangers ™ to The Big Wheel™ and even the fabulous Showcase. Playing to near sold-out audiences for more than 14 years, The Price Is Right Live™ has entertained millions of guests and given away more than 12 million dollars in cash and prizes. If you’re a fan of The Price Is Right™ on TV, you’ll no doubt love this exciting, live (non-televised), on-stage version of the show! Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical. Contains explicit language. The Book of Mormon will be held on three consecutive nights, April 25 through 27. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 South Palafox Place. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.

Tall Ships Pensacola Festival

April 27-30

April 18

The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is stopping by the Pensacola Bay Center and bringing game like never before! Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism, and a non-stop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington

United Way of

West Florida’s Battle of the Barristers

April 20

United Way of West Florida’s annual Battle of the Barristers is set to take place on April 20 at 6 pm at Odd Colony in downtown Pensacola. This highly anticipated event will feature some of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties’ most skilled and competitive attorneys as they face off in a trivia contest. The event is a unique opportunity for attorneys to showcase their smarts outside of the courtroom during a fun-filled evening of friendly competition. The winning team will receive a traveling trophy and bragging rights. Last year’s winner was Clark Partington Attorneys at Law. Prizes will also be awarded for second and third place. The entry fee is $500 per team, and the registration deadline is April 18. Teams can sign up for the Battle of the Barristers at uwwf.org/bob.

Ballet Pensacola’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

April 21-23, 28-30

Take a trip to an enchanted forest, where mortal and magical beings deliver loads of laughs while looking for love. Artistic Director Darren McIntyre presents Williams Shakespeare’s tale of premarital mix-ups in a playful ballet that’s perfect for all ages. Ballet Pensacola’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an original production by McIntyre. The show will be held at the Pensacola Little Theatre located at 400 South Jefferson Street. The show will be held on April 21 through 23 and April 28 through 30. On the Friday and Saturday dates, showtime is at 7 pm. On the Sunday dates, showtime is at 2:30 pm. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Season Finale: Dvořák Symphony No. 7

22

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s season comes to a close as we welcome one of the most sought-after young composers in the country, Quinn Mason, who will join us from the stage to discuss his own work, Inner City Rhapsody, along with the composers and pieces that have inspired him, including Dvořák’s intensely expressive Seventh Symphony along with Barber’s First Essay and Brahms’ Tragic Overture. The event will be

The Tall Ships Are Here! Join the crew for a 4-day, family-friendly maritime celebration as the Port of Pensacola once again becomes an Official Host Port of the Tall Ships Challenge® Gulf Coast Series! Don’t miss this rare chance to catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on our 2023 fleet of tall ships. Come tour Noa Trinidad, Pride of Baltimore II, Ernestina Morrissey or book a sail on the When and If, the Suncoast Horizon or the Jolly 2 Rover. TheTall Ships arrive on April 27 in the Parade of Sail, and the festival begins April 28. Enjoy the ships, festival foods, food trucks, craft beer, music, street performers and the festival marketplace. For tickets and more information, visit tallshipspensacola.org.

Pensacola Crawfish Festival

April 28-30

The Pensacola Crawfish Festival features thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish, and cajun delicacies such as boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, gumbo and more! Crawfish not your thing? Traditional festival options are also available, including chicken baskets, bloomin’ onions, hot dogs, po’boys and more. Save room for dessert too, because we have the best fried Oreos, ice cream and funnel cakes east of Cajun Country. Other festivities include live music and the annual crawfish eating contest! The festival runs from 11 am to 11 pm on Friday, 10 am to 11 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12 and free for kids 5 and under. The festival will be held at Seville Square and Fountain Park, with admissions gates located on Government St. (across from Hub Stacey’s) and Zaragoza St. (across from Pensacola Bay Brewery). For more information, visit fiestapensacola.org/ crawfish-festival.

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS WHITING FIELD 2022 FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARD WINNERS

role in certifying 21 ARFF Driver/Operators, 13 Fire Instructors Level I, 13 Fire Officer I’s and three EMR’s, which allowed TRAWING FIVE to execute 1 million annual flight evolutions while qualifying more than 500 aviators. In addition to these accomplishments, Ferrer was recognized as NAS Whiting Field’s Senior Sailor of the Year for 2022.

Totten, NSRE Military Firefighter of the Year, hails from Middleton, CA. He is regarded as an enthusiastic firefighter who takes initiative in assisting and training others in firefighting and rescue procedures. Totten effectively responded to two in flight emergencies, successfully preventing loss of life. He is fully qualified to operate numerous firefighting apparatus including Twin Agent Unit (TAU), Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) and the Oshkosh T-1500. Additionally, he volunteered more than

140 off- duty hours with the Bagdad Volunteer Fire Station and assisted in 11 medical emergencies.

Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) Rear Adm. Wesley McCall, and Naval Air Station Whiting Field recently congratulated the winners of the 2022 Fire and Emergency Services award competition. In addition to naming the region firefighter and fire officer of the year, the admiral recognized Gulf Coast Fire and Emergency Services, consolidated NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field, as Fire Department of the Year, Large Category.

Navy Region Southeast Military Fire Officer for 2022 is Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH) 1st Class Neil Ferrer and Navy Region Southeast Military Firefighter of the Year is Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class James Totten.

“Bravo Zulu and congratulations to all our deserving winners in this year’s program,” McCall said. “I would like to extend my gratitude for your tremendous commitment to the protection of life, property and the environment,” he said in an email announcement. Navy Region Southeast is based at NAS Jacksonville, FL.

Ferrer, NRSE Military Fire Officer of the Year, is from San Francisco, California. He is the Fire and Emergency Services Division III leading petty officer (LPO). As a fire officer, Ferrer is directly responsible for firefighter teams, stations and equipment contributing to the ABH mission of aircraft firefighting.

Ferrer managed 80 plus Sailors in all facets of firefighting and rescue procedures across 10 Naval Outlying Landing Fields (NOLFs). He is a qualified Fire Captain, as well as fully certified in Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Driver/ Operator, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer , and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). He devoted more than 1,600 hours of firefighting and rescue procedures training, as well as 528 live fire and 176 drill scenarios. He also played a vital

Daniel Chiappetta, Fire Chief of Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast, is the supervisor for the two award recipients. “I can’t say enough about the outstanding accomplishments of both Military Fire Officer of the Year, ABH1 Neil Ferrer and Military Firefighter of the Year, ABH3 James Totten,” he commented. “They have made our organization extremely proud through their hard work and dedication to both the U.S. Navy and Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast.”

Chiappetta continued, “Our men and women work diligently throughout the year to provide exceptional service to our patrons both on and off the installations. This is just another example of how our personnel step up to the challenge and exceed our expectations. These individuals demonstrate their exemplary character through their commitment to the department and selfless service to all. This award is a great honor for them, and I am very proud of their efforts to not only win these awards but help make our department great.”

Ferrer and Totten are both critical assets to the NAS Whiting Field team and the aviation training mission. The award and recognition highlight their hard work and dedication in their careers and to the Navy.

Naval Air Station Whiting Field, home of Training Air Wing Five, is the backbone of Naval Aviation Training, supporting approximately 60 percent of all primary fixed-wing flight training and 100 percent of all initial helicopter training for the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. NAS Whiting Field is the busiest aviation complex in the world with more than one million flight operations flown at the installation annually. It is comprised of two main airfields and 12 Navy Outlying Landing Fields across four counties in Southeast Alabama and Northwest Florida. Training Air Wing Five flies an estimated 43 percent of the Chief of Naval Air Training Command’s total flight time and 17 percent of Navy and Marine Corps’ flight time worldwide. More than 1,200 personnel receive their essential flight training through TRAWING Five annually.

STORY BY LT.J.G. CAMILA HEALEY, NAS WHITING FIELD PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY