Your Official Gallery Night Guide. IN THIS ISSUE: Festival & Events Roundup
THE CREATIVE CLASS
Postmodern Jukebox
P E N SACOL A
Palafox Market
DOWNTOWN CROWD
Four Pensacola Makers and Their Innovative Creations
may 2015
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www.downtowncrowd.com - never be bored. downtowncrowd.com May 2015
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12 Emily Echevarria, editor MAY USHERS IN one of my favorite times of the year and this month promises to bring all the warm weather spoils we’ve come to expect during this season along with some exciting new twists. May is the unofficial start to summer here in Pensacola and with my Cinco de Mayo birthday kicking off the last year of my 20s, there’s a certain sense of summer vacation whimsy settling into my newly sun-addled brain. While I’m already planning a few actual weekend getaways for some summer fun, the calendar right here in Downtown is offering plenty of opportunity to escape the humdrum of everyday life with festivals, concerts and special events. Starting up this month is Evenings in Olde Seville Square, the beloved Thursday night concert series that fills the square with tunes along with thousands of people who picnic, relax and dance the night away. New this year is an event
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4 Downtown Improvement Board 6 Festival City 8 The Creative Class 12 Fresh is Here 15 Jukebox Hero 16 Gallery Night Guide 2
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called Slide the City, a three-block-long waterslide that will send participants careening down Palafox for a wet and wild ride and some very unique summer fun. Also this month a blossoming mainstay kicks off the season. Palafox Market will celebrate with a festive first weekend in May and we’ve got the details on that along with what’s in season and some recipes for preparing your farmers market booty. In this issue we’re also taking a look at the Creative Class. We all know that there are slews of creative people in Pensacola, and DTC sat down with several designers that have created something special and interesting. Take a look at page 8 to meet these talented individuals and read their stories. Following the soggy April we’ve endured this year, some May summer fun is definitely in order. Whether you actually get the luxury of a summer vacation or it’s been an alarming number of years since your school days, it’s time to make like the final bell just rang and head outside, tossing your notebooks and pencils into the air in a celebratory act of defiant glee! OK, now pick them up afterward, obviously. This isn’t a movie. There are real consequences for litterbugs! In fact, instead of throwing anything, just carry a little bit of that carefree zeal with you as you march through the long days of May, whether you’re in the office looking wistfully out your window or riding your bike to enjoy the iconic summer ritual of slurping down mudbugs at Crawfish Festival. With so much to do in this and the next few months, your summer vacation—however short—is just beginning. Pace yourself.
19 The Juan Sebastián de Elcano Returns 21 Film 22 Word on the Street 24 Dateline Downtown 26 Art • Music • Theatre
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Emily Echevarria Art Director Rita Laymon Graphic Design and Ad Coordination Guy Stevens Business Editor + DTC Layout Josh Newby Editorial Intern: Dawn Gresko Advertising Account Executives Amanda Tomlinson amanda@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand becky@ballingerpublishing.com DIB Executive Director Ron Butlin DIB Board Members Burney Merrill Susan Campbell Teri Levin Corbett Davis John Peacock Deadline for space and information is the 15th of the month prior to publication. For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433-1166 · Fax: 435-9174 DOWNTOWN CROWD is published in cooperation with the Downtown Improvement Board, 41. N. Jefferson St., Suite 401, Pensacola, Florida 325402 by Ballinger Publishing. Offices located at 41 N. Jefferson St., Suite 402, Pensacola Florida 32505
Published by Ballinger Publishing
Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. 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.
Cover design by Guy Stevens
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Downtown Improvement Board Parking management – why do we manage Downtown parking? Fundamentally, parking is a very valuable asset, in that it provides access for customers of Downtown businesses. Think for a minute what would happen if parking was both free and with no time restrictions. People working Downtown would find the spot closest to their work and park for the remainder of the day. People attempting to shop or visit to conduct business would then be unable to find a parking space within a reasonable distance of their desired activity. Business would become critically impaired or worse. Parking management’s primary goal is to make parking available for visitors
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and workers. By getting Downtown employees to park in public or private lots,and garages, curbside parking is available for visitors doing business Downtown. The next question is, why paid parking? Even “free” parking isn’t truly free. Someone has paid for the land, paid for the improvements on the land and is still paying to maintain it. That cost might be wrapped up in the rent a business is paying much like the mall, but that cost is ultimately being passed on to the consumer. Downtown parking has several ongoing needs. Rules such as time limitations need to be enforced. Ron Butlin, Many honest folks will abide by the DIB Executive rules just because they are rules, but Director
a significant number of people will not if they know there is no enforcement. Also there is maintenance, keeping the parking areas clean, free of potholes and striped, which all require ongoing funding. Largely due to the management, parking is abundant Downtown. The Jefferson Street Garage allows 24-hour parking, the public lots allow up to five-hour parking and most of the streets allow two-hour parking. We are growing and thriving and attracting new business in one of the most historically relevant downtowns in America. A solid parking strategy is a critical and necessary part of our vibrancy.
The best mornings begin at Blue Morning Gallery. So does the best art. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Become a morning person. Award-winning artists • Local, original art Open 7 days a week 21 South Palafox Place • 850.429.9100 • bluemorninggallery.com
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BY EMILY ECHEVARRIA & DAWN GRESKO
FESTIVE FUN May ushers in a full calendar of outdoor events and festival in Downtown Pensacola. Whether food, music or art draws you in, there’s a celebration to get you outside to enjoy some very Pensacola-centric activities this month. Here’s a rundown of some of the festive fun of which you can partake in May.
Art in the Park
Crawfish Fest May 1 - 3 Bartram Park fiestaoffiveflags.org. Pensacola’s 31st annual Fiesta of Five Flags Crawfish Festival will be held in Bartram Park May 1 through May 3, bringing the tastes and sounds of New Orleans to Downtown Pensacola. The festival’s titular crustacean takes center stage with a 16,000-pound supply of boiled crawfish provided by Mike’s Crawfish Boils from Louisiana. Also on order will be red beans and rice, boudin balls, seafood gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya, crawfish bread, as well as traditional festival fare. Extra hungry mudbug fans can take part in the 10th annual Cat Country 98.7 Crawfish Eating Contest.
The musical lineup will include an array of artists from The Big Easy including Lee Yankie, Naughty Professor, Lost Bayou Ramblers, The Ryan Balthrop Band, Blues Old Stand, Peek, Voodoo Gumbo, The Daisy Dukes, Cha Wa, Hotel Oscar and Wayne Toups. There will also be a second line parade led by Cha Wa, a Mardi Gras Indian Band. Admission is either $5 per day or $10 for the weekend, and children under the age of 12 get in free. Admission is also free with an active military ID on Friday, May 1, and admission is free to those who participate in the Fiesta 5K & 10K Race on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 am.
May 16 – 17 Seville Square pensacolamuseum.org For the weekend of May 16 and 17, Pensacola Museum of Art is hosting its annual two-day Art in the Park festival in historic Seville Square. “Art in the Park’s main focus is to engage the community in the visual arts,” said Mary Hartshorn, director of communications at Pensacola Museum of Art. “It is a wonderful opportunity for individuals of all ages to enjoy art from various media, eat good food, and perhaps purchase some of the artist’s works.” The festival will include a juried art show featuring close to 100 local and national artists with up to $5,000 in awards. This year the show will feature an Emerging Artists category to allow new artists the chance to participate in the art show. The show is scored by local artists and art enthusiasts, and this year’s jurors will be Michael Boles, Nick Croghan, and Krist Lien. Festival food and drinks will be provided by The Wine Bar and Mimi’s Bistro, and there will be fun activities for children to create their own works of art. Funds raised by the festival will support the Pensacola Museum of Art’s art education programs and art exhibits.
Evenings in Olde Seville Thursdays May 14 - July 30 Seville Square eveningsinoldesevillesquare.com Evenings in Olde Seville Square is a popular and beloved summer tradition in Downtown Pensacola and the free summer series is back starting May 14, when the 2015 Summer Tour will kick off with musical performances by McGuire’s Pipe Band and Pensacola Civic Band. Concerts are every Thursday night from 7 pm to 9 pm through July 30. “We are very excited to bring new bands to the event with original music and not just covers,” said Brooke Policicchio from EiOSS. “We leave the band’s line up to them, but we will be posting band bios and links to their personal pages within the next few weeks on our website.” Bring blankets, chairs and a picnic, or enjoy fare from vendors at the event. Attendees can support the free concerts by getting a $20 seasonal membership, or purchasing EiOSS t-shirts, light-up cups, picnic blankets, and other special merchandise. Memberships provide you with an EiOSS car magnet, as well as fun weekly email concert updates and quarterly e-newsletters.
All three events promise fun for the entire family in beautiful Downtown Pensacola. Under the shade of expansive oak trees, these offerings are as comfortable and relaxing as they are culturally enriching. 6
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THE CREATIVE CLASS BY EMILY ECHEVARRIA + JOSH NEWBY
EVERYONE LOVES A BAG BOY + A good bag can be functional and stylish, tying together an outfit while serving as a repository for your wallet, phone and other personal items. In Pensacola, no one makes custom bags better than Ross Pristera, who works as a historic preservationist at the UWF Historic Trust. Pristera began making the bags, he admits, out of boredom after visiting a textile mill in South Carolina. He bought other sewing accessories and tools randomly before borrowing his mother-in-law’s sewing machine and pursuing the craft as a hobby. That was in February 2010. By April, despite having no experience in the art of sewing, he was making fashionable, artisan bags for friends and family. By May, he was selling the items as part of his newly founded company, R2SD. “I didn’t work off of a pattern at first,” said Pristera. “I just did my best. Eventually, I did develop a pattern and a system of making them efficiently. My wife helped.” Ross needed that help, too, as demand sometimes reached 80 per month after he took his product online to Etsy. “It was a full-time job at that point,” said Pristera. Customers included local 8
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and international people who appreciated the high quality and surprisingly low costs of the bag. One messenger bag even drew the attention of the prop master for the film Her, who contacted Pristera about using some of the products as part of the wardrobe for Joaquin Phoenix’s character. “He emailed me through Etsy and called me soon after,” said Pristera. “I spoke with him and director Spike Jonze. They had me send over two bags, one of which would be a ‘stunt’ bag. It was totally unexpected but so cool to have them be part of the movie.” Pristera’s bags have had other exposure, too, including ads for Ashley Furniture and a Canadian magazine called Lou Lou. Nowadays, Pristera keeps pretty busy at his day job, but he still sells custom bags through his Etsy, www.etsy.com/shop/R2SD or at r2sd.com.
Photo by Guy Stevens
+ Part of making fitness enjoyable is the location and the actual activity. Even the most strenuous workouts can seem slightly more fun if you’re surrounded by friends in a beautiful environment, doing something that feels more like play. Cindi Bonner, the founder and CEO of Fitness Onboard, has found a way to do all three. It all started in 2010, when she founded her company Fitness Onboard and started teaching group fitness classes that transitioned traditional workout routines to a paddleboard on water. She focused on cardio and strength training where many paddleboard exercises focus on yoga. Unfortunately, she found current product offerings woefully under qualified to meet her needs and the needs of her clients. It was then, in 2011, that she designed a revolutionary new kind of stand-up paddleboard (SUP) called the Fitness Onboard SUP, which featured clasps for various fitness attachments. She worked with a US manufacturer to bring the design to life, and even procured a concept patent. “Once the board was out there, our business started booming and we opened up a store in Downtown,” said Bonner. “I hired someone to help me, and soon after, we closed the store to focus on product development and creating certifications together.”
GET UP, STAND UP, WORKOUT
Bonner’s SUP was soon gaining international attention, and the board was featured at a conference for innovative products in Germany. She even won a PACE award from the Pensacola Chamber in 2014 for her forward-thinking professional acumen. “I want to represent Pensacola in everything I do and everywhere I go,” said Bonner. Bonner didn’t stop there, though. She realized that having a paddleboard is a huge investment, and many of her clients and prospective clients already had one and didn’t want to necessarily buy Bonner’s. So, she invented the Multipurpose SUP Strap, which transforms any stand-up paddleboard into a strapwrapped fitness platform. She widened her customer base in this way, and even found time to work on a second SUP. Today, Bonner works at the Lewis Bear Company but still teaches classes and develops products to help people have fun and enjoy the water while getting an effective workout.
QUEUE IT UP
People that collect vinyl tend to be particular about storing and displaying their records, and local audiophile Geoff Peck is no exception. When he became dissatisfied with his record crates and started searching for a better way, he discovered that exactly what he wanted didn’t exist, and he set out to create it.
What started as an effort to find a storage solution soon morphed into the Analog Queue, a simple device of Geoff’s invention with a modern, minimalist aesthetic that both stores and displays records. “That was the most fun I’ve had, making it in Google SketchUp, which is a free program anyone can download and only takes about 30 minutes to learn,” Geoff says. “Then I mocked it up in cardboard and I mocked it up in wood. Then I took the mock ups and the drawings to a metal fabricator in town called Vertec.” The first prototype was too bulky, but after refining it over the course of about ten prototypes, two versions were perfected—one holds five records and another holds 20. Both boast the sleek design which almost disappears when it’s being used to display album art and hold a physical “queue” of what’s currently spinning on your record player. Producing and powdercoating a large amount of his product would have been a massive investment, so Geoff and wife Jenn took the idea public with a Kickstarter campaign. Jenn brought her skills to the mix by providing design work and messaging content like Kickstarter graphics and verbiage, packaging, the press kit, Photo by Michael Winters
promotional items, website and social media. “I’ve always wanted to do a Kickstarter,” Geoff says. “It’s a challenge and it’s one of those things that you have to be confident in your idea, and I was, and you have to be ready to work at it, which I was.” The Kickstarter raised almost double its $3,500 goal, making three colors of the product available to supporters. The whirlwind of research, promotion, and ultimately producing, shipping and delivering the Analog Queues to buyers locally and around the world was a hefty chunk of time and effort for the Pecks, but Geoff says the process was exciting and it taught him exactly what’s involved in bringing those latenight ideas that everyone seems to have to life. “When you have a beer and talk about an idea, write it down and then take two steps: draw it, and then ask someone if it can be made,” Peck says. “There are resources. There are brilliant people in Pensacola. Send them an email and ask them if they can give you a hand. That’s all I did.” For more information or to purchase the Analog Queue visit recycledsaints.com.
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HOLD THE WATERPHONE + People along the Gulf Coast may already know Brooks Hubbert III from his musical performances at venues throughout the area. His current gig on Sunday and Monday nights at McGuire’s showcases both his charisma and musical prowess. Others may know of him from seeing his art—colorful large scale photographic works featuring a mixture of geometric shapes created by magnets, mirrors and light. Others still might have heard of his invention, the sonic clamp, which is an accessory that mounts an iPhone to a guitar body allowing for sound applications to be used in real time during a performance. But even with such varied interests and accomplishments, Hubberts has found few things that combined his passions for creating with some of the technical aspects of sound as his latest endeavor as head of the company that creates the waterphone. The waterphone is the invention of the late multimedia artist Richard Waters who passed away in 2013, but not before forming a friendship with Hubbert, who had been fascinated with Waters and his instrument. Waters had divulged much of the mechanics of the making of the instrument to Hubbert, and after Waters’ death he stayed in contact with the artist’s family. In discussions with Waters’ daughter Rayme about the fate of the company, Hubbert told her what he knew about the instrument. Then he went to what is now his work space at Fluid Metal Works and welded one. “I sent her a video and she cried and said, ‘I thought it was gone, I didn’t think that it was going to live on,’” Hubbert says. “There are so many people that are super fanatical about this instrument because it’s just one of a kind and there’s really nothing else like it.” The waterphone has a stainless steel resonator bowl or pan with a cylindrical neck and bronze rods of varying lengths around the rim. The bowl can hold water which can be moved and swirled to create the iconic bending notes that are at once entrancing, ethereal and even haunting. You’ve likely heard its eerie tones in movies like Poltergeist or The Matrix. It’s also been used successfully to call whales. The waterphone is also used by sound healers, and Brooks played it at a sound healing event at Breathe Yoga Studio earlier this year, where he was heartened to meet others that shared his passion for the power and energy of sound. “We sat there and discussed, just the personal stories about why people were on a quest to have themselves be reordered through the medium of sound, because that’s been my obsession,” he says. “The sound kind of speaks for itself, it’s so characteristic but with this range from horror to healing.” For more information on the waterphone visit waterphone.com. Stay updated on Hubbert’s other projects and his newest album, forthcoming this summer, at facebook.com/brookshubbertmusic.
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Photo by Guy Stevens
University of West Florida Historic Trust
25th Annual
OPEN HOUSE June 6, 2015, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Come explore and enjoy free tours, living history, kids activities and more as we commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II. All events are free and open to the public
historicpensacola.org
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h s e r e F r e h is
taking silly pictures at photo booths with props, such as a cut-out photo board of American Gothic—a popular American image of a stoic farmer holding a pitchfork next to his daughter. “The friendly atmosphere and ambiance of the market makes for a really lovely experience for all ages,” said Teresa Duffey. “And everything at the market has a freshness quality, because the fruits and vegetables you see are usually picked earlier that day. I’d say within 24 hours food moves from the farm to the table.” Slow Food Gulf Coast is an organization dedicated to supporting our local farmer’s market by providing a SNAP terminal at Palafox Market every Saturday to promote greater access to healthy, local and sustainable food. “The story goes that Slow Food started about 30 years ago in Italy as a response to the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome,” said Amanda Clonts, membership manager of Slow Food Gulf Coast. “Slow Food began as a reaction against fast food. Slow Food is the opposite of ‘fast’ food, and the idea is Whether you’re looking for produce and herbs grown locally, or you’re interested in browsing unique artwork, to keep local traditions alive antiques and handmade wares, join Pensacola’s Downtown Crowd in Martin Luther Plaza on May 2 to while encouraging a desire to eat celebrate the eighth annual season of Palafox Market. Enjoy the beautiful Downtown scenery as you peruse healthy.” the booths of farmers, gardeners, and artists hailing from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Baldwin counties. The Supplemental Nutrition BY DAWN GRESKO. Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, allows EBT week, and at least 12 local Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Rain or shine, Palafox Market recipients to use their benefits farmers will have booths at the is open every Saturday from Front, and Daniel Watts from in the form of SNAP tokens at The Wine Bar will offer signature annual market kick-off on May 2. 9 am to 2 pm. The market is Palafox Market. organized with booths for arts dishes prepared with basket Next time you visit the SNAP tokens can be used and antiques at the northern produce from the market.” market, look for the following to purchase farm-fresh herbs Community involvement in-season fruits and veggies: end of Palafox Street between and produce, as well as bread, zucchini and yellow squash, Wright and Gregory, and farm is essential to the market’s dairy and eggs when available. new potatoes, okra, snap foods are located at the market’s success and several downtown SNAP tokens can even be used beans, tomatoes, strawberries, southern end between Chase establishments purchase directly to purchase seedlings, so the and Garden. from the market, including blueberries and blackberries. program encourages consumers Carmen’s Lunch Bar and For Palafox Market’s birthday “We’re excited to celebrate to begin sustainable practices Palafox Market’s eighth birthday Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & celebration on May 2, Sunny by growing their own gardens. with ‘Market Masters,’ said Cafe. In addition, market vendors Days Party Rentals will be Utilizing SNAP to create donate their products to the providing a children’s bounce Teresa Duffey, Palafox Market gardens, or to buy more organic coordinator. “Different patrons Palafox Market to fill baskets for house, and more activities for alternatives from farmers, helps and local celebrity chefs including special raffle giveaways. kids will include face painting prevent diet-related diseases An average of 115 vendors and balloon sculptures. Create a Irv Miller from Jackson’s that stem from consuming memorable market experience by certain processed foods. Steakhouse, Dan Dunn from set up at Palafox Market each 12 May 2015 downtowncrowd.com
“Food brings us together whether at the table or in the community,” said Amanda Clonts. “Slow Food’s main focus is to build a closer connection between our plates and our planet by promoting greater access to good, clean, fair food.” Slow Food Gulf Coast serves as the middle man between Palafox Market and Florida Organic Growers, an organization that awards an annual Specialty Crop Block Grant to cover the cost of SNAP card machines and volunteers necessary to keep the program running. The grant allows Slow Food and farmers to implement SNAP and EBT benefits, increasing the number of market shoppers and revenue earned for the community. To increase consumer purchasing power, Florida Organic Growers offers SNAP incentives that work like this: for every $10 you redeem in SNAP tokens, you receive an additional $10 in Fresh Access Bucks to spend exclusively on fruits and veggies at the market. “The best thing about SNAP is how it benefits everyone,” said Carmen Franz, community food project coordinator at Florida Organic Growers. “SNAP incentives make it easier for farmers to sell their produce at markets, and the incentives encourage people in the community to change their behavior by purchasing more local foods. SNAP keeps money recirculating in the local rather than national economy.” If you’re interested in supporting Slow Food’s cause by becoming a member or volunteer, check out slowfoodgc.org. The booths at Palafox Market change from week to week, so you can visit the market every Saturday to see what’s new, or learn more about the market’s inventory and vendors at palafoxmarket.com. Plan your next grocery trip to Palafox Market, because fresh is here!
Palafox Market s e p i c e r FAMILY PIZZA
Directions: 1. Spread dough evenly on a baking sheet. 2. Cover top of dough with the sauce. 3. Sprinkle oregano and basil over sauce and bake dough at 400 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes or until dough starts to brown on edges. 4. Remove from oven and add tomatoes and zucchini. 5. Top with cheese, add parsley, return to oven until cheese melts and begins to brown, about 10 to 12 minutes.
FLORIDA BLUEBERRY PARFAIT
Directions: 1. In a small mixing bowl, combine blueberry jam and water. 2. Use a whisk to completely mix the jam and water together. 3. In four parfait glasses, make layers using granola, yogurt and fresh blueberries. 4. Evenly add one layer of the blueberry jam mixture. 5. Top each parfait with fresh blueberries and garnish with mint. 6. Serve cold.
Ingredients: • 1 prepared pizza dough • 1 cup prepared pizza sauce • 1 cup Florida tomatoes, chopped • ½ cup Florida zucchini, chopped • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano or ½ teaspoon dried ground oregano • 1 teaspoon fresh basil leaves or ½ teaspoon dried basil leaves • 12 ounces low-fat, grated mozzarella cheese • ½ cup Florida parsley, chopped
Ingredients: • 2 pints fresh Florida blueberries, rinsed • 2 cups granola • 3 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt • ½ cup blueberry jam • ¼ cup water • Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Courtesy of freshfromflorida.com. Recipes by Chef Justin Timineri
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Jukebox Hero I
f you’ve never heard of Postmodern Jukebox, you’re missing out. More than simply covering or remixing songs, the group—lend by musician Scott Bradlee and featuring a rotating group of background instrumentalists and singers—takes identifiable and highly contagious pop songs and completely deconstructs them before reconstructing them into jazzy versions of themselves. “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus becomes a doo-wop number; “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore transforms into flapper jazz; Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” is now a bigband standard. You get the idea. And Bradlee has taken that idea and remixed dozens of songs. DTC spoke with Bradlee about his upcoming show at Vinyl and about how he turned the music industry upside-down with crowdsourcing technology and a little musical know-how. Tell me about how Postmodern Jukebox started. When I was in high school, I really enjoyed ragtime, jazz and older styles of music. I gravitated toward that for whatever reason as a pianist. You can imagine that my friends weren’t as into ragtime as I was. They liked Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and other music of that era. To relate to them, I would take those type of songs and translate them into jazz. So it’s something I’ve been doing since high school. It just took many years to find the right people to turn this into a full-fledged show.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox comes to Vinyl Music Hall on May 26, and brings with it a host of wonderfully reimagined radio hits. By Josh Newby
How do you choose what songs to reconstruct? I like to pick songs that are familiar to a lot of people. If you’re familiar with a song and you’ve lived with hearing it one way, hearing it in a completely different context and a completely different light is a cool experience. I like that light bulb moment, where people will recognize it’s a song they know but it’s doo-wop. How long does it take you to transform a song? It varies. Some stuff is right at my fingertips. Because of the way I learned piano, which is by ear, I’m able to hear things kind of quickly and pick them apart. Sometimes I’ll have an idea right away. But like any good project, it’s all about collaboration. I’ll bring in different people and someone will have a good idea and we’ll incorporate that into the arrangement. It’s a fluid process. Sometimes we completely transform a song in just a few hours. But there are other times where we have to tinker with it for a week before figuring out the right way to do it.
How do you decide who to collaborate with? Sometimes it’s happy accidents where somebody tweets me a video of them performing one of our songs. I’ll be blown away and invite them to do a video with us. We’ve had people reach out and send things, but there’s also been times when I’m in New York or LA and I’ll see someone performing live music that I think can really capture an era. What does the future hold for you? The main thing is bringing Postmodern Jukebox around the world so that everywhere in the world you can see it. You can look at our schedule and see us. The past year has been all about live shows. We’ve crossed over from being just a band that exists on YouTube to being this kind of global project eventually. We’re really excited about imagining the possibilities of a limitless project. It’s going to be a busy year.
Do you have a music background outside of teaching yourself piano? I was self-taught on piano. I worked as a jazz pianist for many years. I went to college for music and came out, moved to New York City, and intended to become a jazz pianist. I found that it was really tough to find work. It was a pretty competitive field; there weren’t many well-paying gigs. I also felt like the audience had been left behind. It’s kind of esoteric; normal people don’t really understand it. I wanted to reach more people. Things worked out around that time that YouTube was taking off and people were finding success by putting these passion projects on YouTube. I did the same and lucky for me my first couple of videos went viral. How do you feel about YouTube becoming a viable medium for emerging artists? One of the key things about our development was that this project was so niche and special that no record label in their right mind would take a chance on it. Now of course, they’re all interested, but normally they take something that’s already successful and make it more successful. YouTube is a great way for people to pursue something different. I recommend anyone trying to get out there and do something different, explore YouTube and other digital options first.
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Official Gallery Night Photo by Dominique Wright
Ma y 2 2 Come enjoy the sights and sounds of Gallery Night Friday, May 22 from 5 to 9 pm, with Palafox and Government street closures continuing until midnight. With endless options for art, music and cuisine and a special Military Appreciation edition of Gallery Night this evening of culture promises to be a spectacular night in Downtown Pensacola. Stop in to the art galleries throughout Downtown and see what’s new on the walls. Take in the sounds of live music in the streets and maybe dance for a song or two. You can also find the work of plenty of local artists and makers on Government in front of Seville Quarter in Artists Row, as well as along Artist Alley at Plaza Ferdinand. In honor of Military Appreciation Month, many retailers and restaurants will be offering specials and discounts to military personnel, and a Military Relay Race will take place from Hopjacks to Plaza Ferdinand and back. The Navy Ball Committee will host a fun zone just south of Government on Palafox with corn hole, bounce houses, face painter and more! Don’t forget to also pop by your favorite participating restaurants, bars and other retailers that help make Gallery Night a success. Street closures are sponsored by Stella Artois and Yellow Cab is the 2015 transportation sponsor.
Official Gallery Night Guide sponsored by Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 300,000 small and regional businesses, including healthcare providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. The organization also serves most of the top tier wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers in the U.S. through its wholesale division. According to Vertical Systems Group, Cox Business is one of the largest providers of business Ethernet services in the U.S. based on customer ports and has been consistently recognized for its leadership among small/midsize business data service providers. Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S. and supports one million phone lines. Call Cox Business today at 1-866-866-2644.
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Guide
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Reus St.
PARTICIPANTS
Wright St.
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MAY 22, 2015
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407 S. PALAFOX ST.
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- 226 S. PALAFOX PL. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom -10 S. PALAFOX PL. Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique -122 S. PALAFOX PL. Intermission - 214 S. PALAFOX PL. Jordan Valley - CORNER OF INTENDENCIA AND PALAFOX Mainline Art House - 422 S. PALAFOX PL. Mimi’s Bistro - 313 S. PALAFOX ST. New York Nick’s - 911 S. PALAFOX PL. O’Riley’s Irish Pub - 321 S. PALAFOX ST. Old Hickory Whiskey Bar Co. - 123 S. PALAFOX PL. Pen Air Federal Credit Union - 40 S. PALAFOX PL. Pensacola Museum Of Art - 407 S. JEFFERSON ST. Pensacola Rowing Club - GOVERNMENT ST. & PALAFOX ST. Picasso Jazz Club - 19 PALAFOX PL. Pita Pit - 1 S. PALAFOX ST. Play Pensacola - 16 S. PALAFOX ST. Pure Pilates - 426 S. PALAFOX PL. Quayside Art Gallery - 17 E. ZARAGOZA ST. Sam Marshall Architects - 325 S. PALAFOX ST. Seville Quarter - 130 E. GOVERNMENT ST. Subway - 100 S. PALAFOX PL. Susan Campbell Jewelry - 420 S. PALAFOX ST. T.T. Wentworth Museum - 330 S. JEFFERSON ST. TCBY - GOVERNMENT ST. & PALAFOX ST. The Tin Cow - 102 S. PALAFOX PL. Urban Objects - 128 S. PALAFOX PL. Voices of Pensacola - 117 E. GOVERNMENT ST. The Wedding Studio - 130 S. PALAFOX PL. Wild Greg’s Saloon - 22 S PALAFOX ST. The Wine Bar - 16 PALAFOX PL. World of Beer - 200 S. PALAFOX PL. Zarzaur Law Firm - 11 E. ROMANA ST. Jewelers Trade Shop - 26 PALAFOX PL. Pure Barre - 6 S. PALAFOX PL. Bar, The Courtyard at Seville Tower)
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Carmen’s Lunch Bar - 407 S. PALAFOX ST. CCP Art Gallery - 126 PALAFOX PL. Dog House Deli - 30 S. PALAFOX PL. Dollarhide’s Music Center - 41 S. PALAFOX ST. Don Alans - 401 S. PALAFOX ST. Emerald Coast Tours - 5 W MAIN ST. Emerald Coast Utility Authority - 5 W MAIN ST. Fiore - 15 W MAIN ST. Four Seasons Market & Eatery - 212 PALAFOX PL. Go Retro - GOVERNMENT ST. & PALAFOX ST. Gracie Martial Arts - 106 S. PALAFOX PL. The Great Southern Restaurant Group (Jackson’s Steakhouse, Fish House, Atlas Oyster House and the Deck
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Adonna’s Bakery and Cafe - 114 PALAFOX PL. Al Fresco - 501 S. PALAFOX ST. Artel Gallery - 223 S. PALAFOX PL. Bank of Pensacola - 500 S. PALAFOX ST. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s - 22 S. PALAFOX ST. Belle Ame’ - 112 S. PALAFOX ST. Blend Lounge - 200 S PALAFOX ST Blue Morning Gallery - 21 S. PALAFOX ST. The Bodacious Olive, The Bodacious Brew -
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Gallery Night is sponsored by:
Brought to you by the Downtown Improvement Board
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18 May 2015 downtowncrowd.com
With warm weather beckoning more and more Pensacolians to the outdoors and of course to the many coastal areas of the city, this month brings a unique opportunity to take advantage of yet more seaside fun. From May 27 through June 1, the Spanish Navy training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano will visit Pensacola and be docked at Plaza de Luna at the south end of Palafox. The Elcano was built in 1927 and has plenty of significance to the Spanish navy as one of the oldest tall ships sailing today. It was named after the Spanish explorer who completed Ferdinand Magellan’s first-ever circumnavigation of the earth from 1519 to 1522 after Magellan was killed by natives of Saint Lazarus Island in the Philippines during the expedition. Elcano led the 17 survivors to complete the trip. Maria Davis, the Honorary Vice Consul of Spain in Pensacola, has organized the tall ship’s visits to Pensacola, the first of which was in 1981. While trip marks the seventh visit to Pensacola by the Elcano, Davis says this one has special significance, as it celebrates the general who triumphed at the Battle of Pensacola in the American Revolution. “General Bernardo Galvez came to Pensacola in 1781 and he fought The Battle of Pensacola, which played an important role in the fight for independence. Right now we are celebrating the fact that Bernardo de Galvez has become an honorary citizen of the United States,” she says. “Only seven other people, including Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa and the Marquis de Lafayette have made this list. This is a great honor to Spain and the Elcano comes to honor Galvez.” The tall ship will be open for tours by the public during its time in Pensacola, offering something a little different to Downtown visitors. Davis estimates that approximately 10,000 people visited the ship during its last visit in 2009. At 370 feet long, the Elcano is the third-largest tall ship in the world. It has an iron hull iron and four masts (called Blanca, Almansa, Asturias and Nautilus, after other training ships which preceded it). The Elcano has sailed on 85 training cruises, including ten circumnavigations of the globe. Sometimes referred to as a floating university, the Elcano is also an ambassadorial ship. Spanish naval officers study for five years and their Elcano tour happens during their fourth year. During this year, the officers visit at least a dozen cities and learn firsthand about life at sea aboard the ship. The Elcano will also be visiting as part of the annual Fiesta activities, adding another way to celebrate the heritage of Pensacola. The ship will be open for tours on the following dates. May 29: 11 am- 1 pm; 3-5 pm May 30: 11 am- 1 pm; 3-5 pm May 31: 3-5 pm
T he J uan S ebastián de E lcano R eturns
For more information visit fiestaoffiveflags.org.
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20 May 2015 downtowncrowd.com
In which we unfairly judge upcoming attractions based solely on their trailers. By Josh Newby.
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON RELEASE DATE: May 1 CAST: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson MAD MAX: FURY ROAD RELEASE DATE: May 15 CAST: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult What I got from the preview: Oh, boy. The world of Mad Max is back, and the reboot promises insane road wars on ultra-saturated, grainy landscapes. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, it takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where humanity has been reduced to killing one another for basic necessities as part of roving, gasoline-fueled gangs. It’s gritty and dark, with spectacular stunts and action that satisfies instead of dizzies. Most notable for: To its credit amongst a sea of reboots, reimaginings, and unnecessary sequels and prequels, Fury Road boasts the same crew that made the original Mel Gibson movies so great. It seems that this reboot is the exception to the rule that all reboots are lamely disguised cash grabs. Unqualified critical observation: I’ve been excited for this movie since the trailer premier over a year ago. This rivals Avengers as my pick of the month. I’m not usually a fan of action, except when it’s done this well. So sit back, enjoy, and prepare to be dazzled for days.
PITCH PERFECT 2 RELEASE DATE: May 15 CAST: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld What I got from the preview: Aca-scuse me, pre-summer action tent pole movies! But the pitches are back from 2012’s sleeper teen hit of the year. This time around, lovable rebel Beca and team are taking their talents to an international competition that winkingly features singing Russian villains and more puns and top-40 hits than you can throw $8 at. Most notable for: Too many movies nowadays get undeserved sequels set up by their predecessor. This is the rare film whose predecessor didn’t necessitate a sequel, but I and countless others are happy it’s happening anyway. Unqualified critical observation: When the first came around, I dragged my feet to the theater at the behest of my SO, expecting a lame Glee retread. What I discovered, however, was a smart and sassy teen comedy on par with Clueless and Bring It On. Needless to say, I’ll be the one dragging my wife to see this one.
What I got from the preview: In this second Avengers installment (and 10th Marvel entry overall in its ever-expanding universe), Tony Stark stupidly designs a robot whose mission it is to keep the peace. Guess he (along with everyone else) never saw Chappie, because the villainous Ultron soon turns on its creators and wreaks havoc on our planet, once again necessitating Earth’s mightiest heroes to save the day. Sometimes I fear these heroes do more harm than good.
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Most notable for: The cast is among the largest—and most expensive— ever assembled, and director Joss Whedon continues his reign as god of the nerds. Unqualified critical observation: I love to hate on comic book movies. Their stories are predictable, their heroes invulnerable, and the humor is dad-worthy. But goshdarnit, they’re fun and easy on the eyes, so why not? If movies are all about escapism, then few movies are better than the Avengers offerings.
TOMORROWLAND RELEASE DATE: May 22 CAST: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie What I got from the preview: May is just the month that keeps on giving, as a girl discovers a pendant that, when touched, transports her to another world. The girl, played by The Longest Ride’s Britt Robertson, is just a proxy for the audience, who is along for the ride in this mysterious yet family-friendly tale of scientific curiosity, futuristic worlds, and shared experiences that transcend time and space. Most notable for: It’s based on a Disney World ride, sure, but something about this movie seems to capture the essence of childlike wonder that lives somewhere in all of us. Plus, it gives George Clooney a break after marrying a supermodel humanitarian, which must just be so exhausting. Unqualified critical observation: The last movie to be based on a Disney ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, has turned into a franchise that exemplifies everything wrong with the movie industry. I plan to enjoy this new series—and this month’s only original feature— until it inevitably turns into the gargantuan money-maker that everyone becomes sick of.
POLTERGEIST RELEASE DATE: May 22 CAST: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris What I got from the preview: You know the story, as the original has inspired a plethora of other haunted-house-on-an-Indian-burial-ground spookfests. A quaint suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. Eventually, the spirits are “heeeeerrre” and kidnap the youngest daughter, forcing the family to confront the specters to rescue her and save themselves. Most notable for: There’s nothing notable about a horror reboot nowadays, not even one helmed by the legendary Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell). Unqualified critical observation: In a cruel twist of irony, the original made many attempted follow-ups look bad by comparison, but bad horror reboots from recent years may have ruined it for this semi-legitimate reimagining. I’ll see it when it inevitably arrives on Netflix or at Redbox within the year, but by time this rolls into theater at the end of the month, my money will have been spent on far superior offerings.
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Beauty By the Bay Fashion Show & Dinner Autism Fundraiser May 17
The King Richard Foundation’s Sixth Annual Beauty by the Bay Fashion Show & Dinner is Sunday, May 17 at 3 pm at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Center. The fashion show will feature local Greek lettered organizations and the money raised at this event is used to send disadvantaged children with autism and other developmental disabilities to local summer camps. The KRF believes in helping these children attend camp because no child should be denied the opportunity to experience an atmosphere of recreation, socialization, and learning with their peers because of his or her family’s inability to pay. Please join them for an afternoon of great entertainment and delicious food, and enjoy good fellowship while giving back to the community. Individual tickets are $35, and a reserved table for ten is $350. Tickets are now available online at thekingrichardfoundation.org. For more info call Ann Richard 944.9408 or email king100490@aol.com.
Art’s Desire Art Class Instructor Meet & Greet at Blue Morning Gallery May 23
Art’s Desire is an open house meet and greet with the instructors of Blue Morning Gallery Saturday, May 23 from 2 to 5 pm at the gallery. If you want to dabble in the arts or you want to take your artistic talent to the next level, there’s never been a better time than right now to discover the artist within. Blue Morning Gallery is offering a wide variety of classes and workshops in several styles and mediums including drawing, metal clay for jewelry, abstract painting, painting, coiled pine needle basketry, pastels and earning art or craft merit badges for scout troops. Classes are designed to be educational and fun and are geared to beginners and intermediate levels of all ages. Detailed information is available at bluemorninggallery.com or call 429.9100.
Movies at Pensacola Cinema Art
Enjoy art house style films at the Voices of Pensacola Museum in Downtown Pensacola at 117 E. Government St. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Wendesday matinees at 1 pm. All tickets are available for purchase at the door for cash only 30 minutes prior to show. Tickets are $5 for the movie, bottled water for $3 and popcorn for $2. May 1-2: Kumiko the Treasure Hunter May 8-9: Clouds of Sils Maria
Mail Carriers Collect Food to Stamp Out Hunger This Month May 9
On Saturday, May 9, Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will once again join forces to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community! In its 23rd year, the annual food drive has grown to be the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table. Once again, Escambia and Santa Rosa letter carriers will collect food donations for five local organizations: Manna Food Pantries, Warrington Emergency Aid Center, Bay Area Food Bank in Pace and Milton, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God in Gulf Breeze, and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church. For more information about the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive visit helpstampouthunger.com
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The Junior League of Pensascola cordially invites you to join us for our recruitment sessions for the 2015-2016 new member class. The Junior League of Pensacola, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Information Sessions at Nom’s Sushi Izakaya 410 S Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32502 Tuesday, May 5th at 5:30pm Thursday, May 28th at 5:30pm Tuesday, July 9 at 5:30pm Thursday, July 28 at 5:30pm
Meet & Greet Event at Junior League Office
3298 Summit Blvd Suite #44, Pensacola, FL 32503 Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00pm Wednesday, June 10 at 6:00pm Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00pm Wednesday, June 24 at 6:00pm
For more information: juniorleagueofpensacola.org | 850.433.4421
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Da t e l i n e D o w n t o wn
Slide the City Pensacola May 30 For the first time ever, Slide the City will visit the streets of North Palafox and West Jackson in Downtown Pensacola on May 30 from 11 am to 5 pm. The record-long slip and slide stretches 1,000 feet—that’s the length of three football fields! Slide the City is basically one big party for all ages, and there will be plenty of music, sun and water fun. Unlock your inner child and hop on an inflatable tube for the longest ride you’ve ever taken on a slip and slide! For safety reasons, all participants must be over the age of 5 and must use tubes to slide. With wristbands, Single sliders get to use the slide once, Triple sliders get three times to use the slide, and VIP sliders get the chance to slide as many times as they want. Wristbands are $25/single slider, $45/triple slider, and $65/VIP slider. Proceeds from Slide the City Pensacola go to Gulf Coast Kid’s House. If you forgot to bring your inflatable tube, don’t worry—Slide the City offers tubes, as well as other purchasable memorabilia at the event. To learn more about Slide the City or to purchase wristbands go to slidethecity.com.
Annual Fiesta 5K & 10K Run/Walk May 2 Touted as one of the best point-to-point courses in the country, Fiesta 5K and 10K participants enjoy moderate hills through scenic residential and historic neighborhoods. The 10K runners will begin at Pensacola State College, while the 5K runners will start from Scott Street and 12th Avenue. Both races will finish at Seville Square. Runners will receive free admission to the Pensacola Crawfish Festival on Saturday. For more information visit pensacolarunners.com.
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Kaboom Hosts Second Annual Derby de Mayo Pub Crawl May 2 Kaboom Sports & Social Club will host their second annual Derby de Mayo Pub Crawl from 2 to 6:30 pm on Saturday, May 2. Crawlers will meet at O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown at 2 pm, decked out in an array of seersucker, sombreros and Derby hats, and will crawl from there to Cabaret, Play, and World of Beer. Ticket prices are $15 online or $20 at the door and include raffle tickets for prizes, giveaway bags for the first 50 registrants, entrance into the Bouncy Horse Races, and discounted specials from participating bars. Ten percent of ticket sales will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. To register, visit kaboomssc.com/events. For more information about Kaboom Sports & Social Club, please visit kaboomssc.com or facebook.com/kaboomssc.
Naval Aviation Symposium May 7-8 Since 1987, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation has hosted its Naval Aviation Symposium each May in Pensacola, featuring first-hand accounts from former aviators and a Q&A session with active flag officers. Make plans to attend the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation’s annual symposium featuring expert panels discussing Tactical Air Reconnaissance, HA(L)-3 Seavolves; Navy Assault Helicopters in Vietnam and Naval Aviation: Today and Tomorrow flag officer panel. A luncheon on May 7 features Jay Barbree, former NBC space correspondent and author of Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight. For tickets and more information visit navalaviationmuseum.org.
Dateline Downtown ABC Beverage Tasting at Atlas Oyster House May 7 Atlas Oyster House presents the next installment of Atlas Beverage Classes (A.B.C.). This semester will feature will feature a presenter discussing the highlighted beverages, each paired with small plates. Classes are held on the Deck Bar the first Thursday of the month and will feature a presenter for four tastings. Classes begin at 6 pm and cost is $20 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The May 7 class will feature Cinco de Mayo Margaritas. Reservations are required. Call 516.2324 to reserve a seat. Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival at Seville Quarter May 7 Seville Quarter will be hosting Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue & Bluegrass (b4) on Thursday, May 7 from 6 to 8 pm in their beautiful Apple Annie’s & End O’the Alley Courtyards. Guests will get to sample over 50 small batch bourbons which are wildly popular right now. The beer tasting we will include some of the beer from Gadsden, Alabama’s highly acclaimed Brewery, Back Forty. Seville Quarter’s Executive Chef Brandon Melton will be barbecuing up some Louisiana Oysters to go along with different cuts of pork, from Hogshead to Hoof, accompanied with his special Bourbon BBQ Sauce. To round out the event we will feature some of the most unique Bluegrass on the Gulf Coast. Tickets are $30 and available in the Seville Quarter Gift Shop. For more information go to sevillequarter.com or call 434.6211 Inaugural Gulf Coast Gear Swap May 9 Join the Inaugural Gulf Coast Gear Swap at Rodizio Grille from 8 am to 2 pm on May 9. This event is designed to give outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds a chance to trade, sell and buy their own gear, and find amazing deals on new and used gear, equipment, and accessories that others are offering. For more information call 432.8638. Blue Wahoos Home Games The fourth season of Blue Wahoos baseball kicks off this month! Take yourself out to the ball game to cheer on Pensacola’s newest home team, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at the glorious Maritime Park baseball field. Home games for this month are listed below. For more information and time for games, check out bluewahoos.com.
May 5-9 vs. Tennessee Smokies May 16-20 vs. Mississippi Braves May 21-25 vs. Jackson Generals Blue Angels Practice May 5, 6, 12, 13, 27 The Blue Angels will perform practice air shows over Pensacola Naval Air Station most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings starting in March at 11:30 am, with autograph sessions with the pilots inside the National Naval Aviation Museum on most Wednesdays. Admission to the Blue Angel practices is free and open to the public. The viewing area for the Blue Angels practice is located behind the National Naval Aviation Museum. Bleachers are available for seating about 1,000 people. Viewers can also bring their own lawn chairs, hats, sunscreen and water. For more information, visit blueangels.navy.mil. Grand Fiesta Day Parade May 15 Come join the Fiesta Day festivities for the 66th Annual Pen Air Federal Credit Union Fiesta Day Parade on Friday night, May 15. It’s not Mardi Gras, but you can still catch some beads and watch the many brightly-colored and decorated floats as they parade through Downtown Pensacola’s Spring and Garden streets starting at 7:30 pm. Admission to the event is free. For more information visit fiestaoffiveflags.com or call 433.6512. IHMC Evening Lecture Series Presents Evolution, Slump, and Comeback May 20 Join the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition for the latest edition of its evening lecture series on the second Thursday of each month. On May 20 bicycle designer and founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works Grant Petersen will speak on the topic Evolution, Slump, and Comeback, about the initial bike boom, the ensuing slump and rebirth that followed. The talk is free but reservations are recommended. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the lecture begins at 6 pm. The IHMC is located at 40 S. Alcaniz St. For reservations call 202.4462.
Cooking with Chef Irv May 20 Enjoy a Cooking Demonstration and Wine Pairing at Jackson’s Steakhouse with Chef Irv Miller. For the May 20 demonstration Chef Irv will present “Fresh From Florida.” Tickets are $45 and there will be two seatings at 5 - 6:30 pm and 7:30 - 9 pm. For reservations call 217.2347. Palafox Wine Walk May 23 The Palafox Wine Walk is an exclusive, one of a kind experience allowing guests to sample newly released wines from boutique vendors while strolling between some of the best shops on Palafox. Follow your SoGo Saturday with the Wine Walk from 3 to 7 pm. The intimate gathering provides an opportunity for attendees to taste artfully crafted wines and learn about the regions and styles of wine-making. In addition to tasting the variety of select wines, guests will also have the opportunity to pre-order wines to be delivered to their home or office at a discounted price. Only a small number of tickets will be sold for each Wine Walk, which the DIB looks forward to hosting quarterly. The Palafox Wine Walk is a selfguided wine tasting tour supported by aficionados at each stop. Tickets are $50 and include parking in the Jefferson Street Garage, which will be the pick-up location for the wine that people purchase. For tickets, visit downtownpensacola.com. Fiesta Days Celebration at Seville Quarter May 27 The Emmanuel Sheppard and Condon Fiesta Days Celebration kicks off the 66th annual Fiesta Celebration with hundreds of guests in attendance May 27. Historic Seville Quarter comes alive with entertainment, decorations and delicious food in five rooms, each saluting our history under the flags of the five governments that have flown over our city. Be sure to join the Surrender of the City at 7:30 pm where local dignitaries will surrender the City of Pensacola and its citizens to DeLuna and his Queen for the Fiesta season. For more information visit fiestaoffiveflags.org.
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Ar t · M u s i c · T h e atre
PMA Presents The Lure of the Ocean: Original Works by Guy Harvey May 9 - Aug. 9 This exhibition features original paintings, watercolors, mixed media and pen-and-ink drawings by celebrated artist Guy Harvey. Recognized today as the world’s finest marine wildlife artist, Guy Harvey relies on his talents as a marine biologist, diver, photographer, and angler to visually represent the authentic underwater wildlife displayed within The Lure of the Ocean. Explore additional interactive areas within the galleries to inspire and educate children and adults of all ages. Create your own sea creature to place upon a digital underwater world created by museum-goers. Capture a lasting memory in our Guy Harvey-themed photo booth. Discover Sea Monsters through Mote Marine Laboratory’s hands-on learning components. Learn the fascinating “monster” characteristics within underwater environments. Conservation, creativity and interaction comprise this unique blend of visual arts and marine science. Dive into the arts this summer at the PMA! For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org.
First City Art Center Hot Glass, Cold Brew – Graffiti Edition May 1 The First City Art Center’s Hot Glass, Cold Brew Graffiti Edition event takes place on Friday, May 1, from 5 to 9 pm at its location at 1060 N. Guillemard St. A suggested donation of $25 for non-members and $20 for members gets patrons a one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass cup or clay mug to fill with complimentary beverages all evening long. The event features live glass demos and much more! This edition will feature the opening reception for Uncovering the Layers; Graffiti Inspired Artworks. This juried show will showcase works by Rachael Pongetti of the Graffiti Bridge Project and various other artists. The evening will also kick off the two day Spring Art Sale. Attendees can also paint their own graffiti on the Legal Graffiti wall courtesy of Zarzaur Law, P.A. Patrons will enjoy complimentary food from Fish Fry Magazine, brew courtesy of Pensacola Bay Brewery, and our kids Creative Corner for our younger artists! For more information visit firstcityart.org.
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PLT Presents MOMologues 2: Off to School May 1-3; 7-9 The mom crew is at it again in PLT’s production of MOMologues 2: Off to School, offering a frank and funny look at the true tales of motherhood, from homework hell to multitasking mania. Four separate characters tell their individual stories, either directly to the audience in monologues, or in scenes with each other. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $10 general admission or $17 for limited café seating. For tickets or more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com. Improvable Cause May 2 Improvable Cause is Pensacola’s best (and only) improvisational comedy troupe performing the first Saturday of the month at 10:30 pm in the M.C. Blanchard Courtroom Theatre at the Pensacola Little Theatre. Improv is unscripted theatre where dialogue is created instantaneously. Tickets are $7 available at the PLT box office prior to shows. For more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.
Running of the Chihuahuas at Seville Quarter May 3 After Sunday Brunch the Seville Quarter Cinco de Mayo Weekend fun really starts to heat up with Pensacola’s Annual Running of the Chihuahuas, presented by Corona Extra & Corona Light. The party starts at 1 pm and will help raise money for Pensacola’s local Hotel for Dogs and Cats. The races are open to Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes only. (Dogs over 15 pounds may race separately depending on number of entries.) Each dog will receive an official race packet full of goodies and coupons for great deals. Each dog may run in one or more qualifying heats and the winners will advance to the championship rounds. The grand champion will take home a first place trophy and other great prizes. Second, third and fourth place will win award ribbons. There will also be prizes for the Best Outfit, Best Trick, and Owner/Dog Look-a-Like Contest. Chihuahuas race entry fee is $5 per dog. Spectators are encouraged to participate for free starting at 2 pm. Registration is open and available at sevillequarter. com on a first come – first serve basis.
Ar t · Music · Theatre PMA Presents Between the Layers Through June 13 The Pensacola Museum of Art, in partnership with First City Arts Center, presents a dual exhibition that explores the imagery of artist, Rachael Pongetti, and her creation of the Pensacola Graffiti Bridge Project. A 2011 photographic chronicle of the constantly evolving local landmark, the Graffiti Bridge, located at the 17th avenue train trestle in Pensacola. Photographs include the change of the bridge to artistically abstracted images that convey the order in the midst of chaos between the graffiti. This dual exhibit will feature a variety of events including live graffiti demonstrations, artist-led gallery talks, and more at both the museum and First City Art Center. Pongetti is an MFA photography graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design and former instructor at Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida. She is currently completing a book on the Graffiti Bridge Project following a recently successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $25,000 for publishing. For more information visit pensacolamuseum.org. RadioLive May 7 WUWF’s RadioLive is back for the first Thursday of each month at the Museum of Commerce at 201 E. Zaragoza St. Concerts start at 6 pm. This concert will feature guitarist Bill Mize, and songwriters Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt. Admission is free, but please bring canned food or money to donate to Manna Food Bank. For more information visit wuwf.org. Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay Concert Series 2015 Lineup The Community Maritime Park Associates, Blues Angel Music, and the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department are excited to announce the 2015 Blues Angel Music Blues on the Bay Summer Concert Series Lineup. All concerts are held at the park on Sundays when the Wahoos are not playing. They begin at 6 pm and are free and open to the public thanks to sponsors. Please do not bring pets or glass containers into the park. For more information, call 436.5670 or visit pensacolacommunitymaritimepark.com. May 3 - Modern Eldorados May 10 - Reunion Band May 31 - Still Standing, Elton John Tribute
Christopher’s Concerts Thursdays Enjoy family-friendly musical entertainment on the lawn of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church (3200 N. 12th Ave.) each Thursday evening in May from 6-8 pm. Bring lawn chairs and snacks if desired. Concessions are available, including sandwiches, hot dogs, soft drinks and ice cream. For more information call 433.0074. PSC’s Performing Arts Department Presents Zombie Prom May 14 – 17 Join PSC’s Performing Arts Department for the production of Zombie Prom at the on-campus Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium on May 14 through 17. Showings will be Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2:30 pm. The play is a rock and roll, off-Broadway musical set in the atomic 1950s with original tunes in the style of 50s music hits. Being forbidden from seeing the girl he loves sends a high school bad boy charging off on his motorcycle, then crashing into a nuclear waste dump. He returns as a radioactive zombie, ready to reclaim his sweetheart and take her to the high school prom. Tickets are $7, $9 and $16. For more information or to purchase tickets call 484.1800, email kryan@pensacolastate.edu, or go to pensacolastate.edu. PLT Presents 33 Variations May 15-17; 21-24 Pensacola Little Theatre Presents 33 Variations on the mainstage May 15-17 and 21-24. A mother coming to terms with her daughter. A composer coming to terms with his genius. And, even though they’re separated by 200 years, these two people share an obsession that might make time stand still. Drama, memory and Beethoven’s music combine to transport you from present-day New York to 19th-century Austria, in this extraordinary new American play about passion, parenthood and the moments of beauty that can transform a life. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $14-$30. For tickets or more information visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.
Rodney Carrington at the Saenger Theatre May 15 Rodney Carrington has been making audiences laugh for almost 20 years with his unique blend of stand-up comedy and country music. Originally from Longview, Texas, the country singersongwriter has recorded over eight major label comedy albums which have cumulatively sold more than two million copies, and two of them have been certified Gold. Enjoy a night at the Saenger with Rodney Carrington May 15 at 7 pm. Tickets are $47.75 or $180.75 for VIP seating and an exclusive meet and greet with Rodney Carrington. For tickets and information visit the Saenger Box Office or pensacolasaenger.com. Jazz Gumbo at Phineas Phogg’s May 18 The Jazz Society of Pensacola presents its monthly edition of Jazz Gumbo held the third Monday of each month at Seville Quarter in Phineas Phogg’s. This month will feature the band Wade Baker Quartet featuring Gina Rosario. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the concert begins at 6:30 pm. Admission is $10 for JSOP members, $15 for nonmembers, $5 for students and free for military members in uniform. For more information visit jazzpensacola.com. Pensacola Baller’s Ball at New World Landing May 29 Pensacola Krewe The Mystic Mafia is proud to announce a partnership with The Daisy Dukes in bringing Pensacola a new evening of celebration and entertainment, The Baller’s Ball. The Baller’s Ball will be Friday, May 29, 8 pm, at New World Landing (600 S. Palafox) in Downtown Pensacola. VIP and Tables of eight are available online, along with individual tickets. Pensacola’s Krewes are encouraged to attend as groups, and dress to impress in attire that supports its Krewe’s theme. To reserve a table at the First Annual Baller’s Ball, please visit EventBrite.com and search Baller’s Ball or call Madrina Newcomb @ 850-723-1078, or for more information please email Madrina Newcomb at madrinanewcomb@bellsouth.net. Further details and a link to purchase tickets is available at: facebook.com/pensacolaballersball. downtowncrowd.com May 2015
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Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents Showtime at the Saenger Theatre May 8-10 The Pensacola Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote, will celebrate its 25th Season as it presents the annual production of Showtime on May 8, 9 and 10 at the Saenger Theatre. The 280 member chorus will perform a variety of creative themed segments including a medley of memorable musical moments from the last 25 years entitled “25 Years of PCC,” a hilarious spoof of fairy tales called “Once Upon a Fairy Tale,” a presentation of international songs, and much more. The chorus will be showcasing spectacular costumes, dynamic choreography and impressive staging. Tickets are $26, $36 and $42. Performances are May 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 10 at 2:30 pm. For tickets or more information visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Loblolly Theatre Presents Rambling Rose and Other Idiosyncrasies of the Garden May 29 – May 31 Secure your seat in the garden and attend the revived floral production of Rambling Rose showing at the Opera Center (75 S. Tarragona St.) Friday through Sunday, May 29 through 31. The play will be presented at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 pm on Sunday. Rambling Rose is a springtime play with a garden setting, where the characters represent various flowers—Rose, Lady Aster, Bramble, Bluebelle, Clover, Palmetta, and Morning Glory. Actual plants that grace the garden will be auctioned off to audience members during the play. There is limited seating, so prepurchasing tickets is advised. Pre-sale admission is $15 per person, and admission at the door is $20 per person. For more ticket and play information visit loblollytheatre.com, or call 479.4530.
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New Exhibits at Artel Gallery Through May 29 Artel Gallery is pleased to present Almost Nothing - Exploring Minimalism, on exhibit through May 29. Join the reception Friday, May 1, 6 - 8 pm. Announcements and raffle prizes take place at 7 pm. Works in this exhibition were selected by juror Rick Otoupalik. The placement winners are: Best of Show, Kathy Breazeale; First Place, Kimberly J. Baldwin; Second Place, Lyda Toy; Third Place, Lonnie Rich; Most Experimental, Jean Harris; Honorable Mentions, J. Derrick Edwards, Sandy Ford, Diane Kratochvil, Julie McGrath and Donna O’Neal. Artel opens the in The Vault Illuminated Art by Nate Lyle, also on exhibit through May 29. Nate has successfully filled The Vault with vibrant color schemed abstract works. These works include geometric, abstract, mixed media, textured and wooden illustrations. All works are made from recycled materials that are meshed together with spray paint. The reception will coincide with Almost Nothing on Friday, May 1. Artel is a not-for-profit
educational gallery located 223 Palafox Place, first floor of the Old Escambia County Courthouse and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information call the gallery at 432.3080 or visit artelgallery.org. Blue Morning Gallery Presents Modern Retro Through May 30 Come down to Blue Morning Gallery to view its newest exhibition, Modern Retro. This collection contains works of pottery, paint, and photography that puts a twist on incorporating the old with the new in what is expected to be a fabulous show. Simplistic, clean lines of pottery by Tammy Caspersen, bold abstract painting by Suzanne Tuzzeo, and dynamic colorful photography by Valerie Aune will be on display at the gallery until May 30. Don’t forget to experience the exhibition and meet the artists for free during Gallery Night on May 22. For more information about the exhibition, visit bluemorninggallery.com.
Ar t · Music · Theatre Fish House Deck Bar Weekly Music Schedule Sunday: Regional acts at 8 pm. Monday: Open at 4 pm. Tuesday: Lucas Crutchfield from 6 - 10 pm Wednesday: Lucas Crutchfield 5 - 9 pm; at 9 pm a regional band will play until midnight. Regional bands are changed weekly Thursday: Lucas Crutchfield 6 - 10 pm Friday: Lucas Crutchfield 5 - 9 pm; regional band begins at 9 pm Saturday: Regional bands begin at 9 pm. At Seville Quarter This Month Seville Quarter hosts a variety of entertainment from a wide array of genres. For more information check out SevilleQuarter.com. Mondays: Monday Night Blues, Paper Street Soap Co. Tuesdays: Jazz Jam Wednesday-Saturday: Dueling Piano Show Sunday: Jazz Brunch May 1-5: Cinco de Mayo Festival May 1-2: Banana Republic, Mario Mena Band May 2: Lyon’s Limozine May 3: Nick Pairino May 8-9: The Modern Eldorados, Bad Habits May 15-16: Kategory 5 May 22-23: The Red Field May 25: Paper Soap Co. May 29-30: Big Jim Brown & the Speed Kings, Grand Theft Audio
At Vinyl Music Hall This Month Vinyl Music Hall hosts a huge variety of musical acts featuring many musical styles. For more information check out vinylmusichall.com. May 1: Framing Hanley – The Fharewell Tour, Heartist, McClinton, Noiseheads May 2: Big Deal Burlesque May 3: O-Town May 5: The Relationship – featuring Brian Bell from Weezer, Gringo Star, Dinosaur Daze, Noiseheads May 7: Nahko & Medicine For the People, Damien Louviere May 9: Willie Sugarcapps, Grayson Capps, Will Kimbrough & Sugarcane Jane, Lauren Kay May 10: Stick Figure, Ballyhoo! May 13: The Suprevillains, Heritage May 14: Doug Benson May 15: Steve Earle & the Dukes, with special guests: The Mastersons May 16: Chelsea Grin, The Word Alive, Like Moths to Flames, Sylar, Vagrants May 18: Pensacola Music Company Spring Recital May 19: Mae, All Get Out, Mike Mains & the Branches May 22: Who’s Bad? – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, DJ Ed May 26: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox May 27: The Psychedelic Furs May 29: Roya Southern Brotherhood featuring Cyril Neville & Tyrone Vaughan May 30: Nite Brite – Benefitting Lakeview
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Fa c e s i n t h e C r o w d
At the opening reception for Between the Layers at the Pensacola Museum of Art John Switzer & Silvia Brooks
Magen White, Katelyn Bell, & Gavin White
Marissa Johnson & Luther McCaskill
Catering to the community to feed those in need! Catering 4 a Cause
Call us for your next luncheon, board meeting or corporate training. A4L offers space for onsite catering for up to 60 people.
Rachael Pongetti, Justin & Ara Spencer
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In what year did General Bernardo Galvez come to Pensacola?
Prize: Tickets to PLT’s “33 Variations” or “42nd Street” Sample Menus
Deadline to enter is May 15. Answers may be emailed, faxed or mailed (no telephone entries). On the 10th of the month, the winner will be selected at random. The Rules: Employees and family members of Ballinger Publishing and the Downtown Improvement Board are ineligible for prizes. Ballinger Publishing is not responsible for restrictions of each prize. Winners are chosen at random from a pool of eligible respondents. Daytime phone number MUST be provided with submissions. Winners will be contacted by phone. Winners are ineligible to win again for a 6-month period. IMPORTANT: All entries MUST be sent by E-MAIL (emily@ballingerpublishing.com), FAX 435-9174, or MAIL (PO Box 12665, Pensacola, FL 32591). Entries must be in by the 15th by noon. NO TELEPHONE ENTRIES.
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