Inweekly Nov. 2 2023 Issue REV

Foo Foo Fest Independent News | November 2, 2023 | Volume 24 | Number 43 | Soccer Mommy / Photo by Sophie Hur

Featuring Soccer Mommy At Night Moves Fest FREE ▶

outtakes

winners & losers

5

4

buzz 6

Art is naturally really collaborative.

feature story 9

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Kellie Coatney

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Joshua Encinias, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Hunter Morrison, Dakota Parks, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

contact us info@inweekly.net

Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2023 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

inweekly.net

Magic Carpet

Desperate Measures

Presented by Friends of Downtown Pensacola | Nov. 2–13

Presented by PenArts | Nov. 9–12

Poseidon’s Garden

Songs Down South

NOV

2-13

Pensacola, FL

Presented by First City Art Center | Nov. 2–13

Presented by Pensacola Opera | Nov. 9

Rhythm and Canvas

The Living Museum: A Trip through Pensacola’s History

Presented by Pensacola State College | Nov. 2–13

Singing in the Street Presented by Choral Society of Pensacola and Pensacola Children’s Chorus | Nov. 2

Night Moves Music Fest

2023

Featured Events

Presented by Fiesta Pensacola | Nov. 9

Xanadu Presented by Dixon School of Arts and Sciences | Nov. 10–12

309 Punk Project

Nov. 3–4

Nov. 11

Week in the Park

Homecoming: A Musical Celebration of History and Tradition

Presented by Veterans Memorial Park Foundation | Nov. 4–11

POP Odyssey Tour: An Interactive Curated Experience

Presented by Pensacola Symphony Orchestra | Nov. 11

On Broadway

Presented by UWF Historic Trust | Nov. 8

Presented by Pensacola Civic Band | Nov. 11

Singeasy

Jazz for Justice

Presented by Pensacola Little Theatre | Nov. 8–12

Presented by Legal Services of North Florida | Nov. 12

Bigger. Funner. Artier.

Start Planning at FooFooFest.com

November 2, 2023

3

winners & losers

Photo by Geoff Peck / @tinyobservations

Photo Courtesy of Salarko / shutterstock.com

winners

losers

D.C. REEVES Gov. Ron DeSantis has appoint-

META Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody

ed Pensacola's mayor to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors. CareerSource Florida guides workforce development in the state. The agency provides oversight and policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Commerce, Florida's local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers, including CareerSource Escarosa. Mayor Reeves said, "I'm very honored to represent all the mayors of the state. When this became possible, I was very, very excited because, for the success of Pensacola and Escambia County, we've got to be at the table for workforce development conversation."

WE ARE PERDIDO The group pushing to create

Escambia County's third municipality in the county's southwest corner advanced a critical step when the Escambia County Legislative Delegation voted unanimously to ask the Florida Legislature to place a referendum for the municipal incorporation of the Perdido area on the 2024 ballot.

PENSACOLA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

USA Today named Pensacola International Airport one of America's 10 Best Small Airports, securing the ninth spot in its 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The awards highlighted airports serving fewer than 10 million passengers annually while excelling in commercial flight offerings, ease of access and amenities. Pensacola International Airport was chosen among 79 small airports nationwide.

FATHER FIRST In 2022, the Florida Legisla-

ture appropriated more than $68.9 million to support responsible fatherhood. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently launched the Father First website as part of Florida's fatherhood initiative. The Father First initiative includes educational programs, mentorship programs and one-on-one support to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood. The Department of Children and Families has established a network of 30 community organizations to provide services to empower fathers. Sadly, none are headquartered in Escambia County.

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filed a federal lawsuit last week against Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, alleging the apps use "manipulative" features to maximize young people's time on social media.

The lawsuit asserts the apps' "infinite scroll" design and auto-play are harmful to young people.

It contends Meta intentionally made social media addictive by deceptively downplaying negative impacts on the mental health of teens and other young people. Locally, Escambia County Public Schools has hired Levin Papantonio Rafferty to handle a similar lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.

MICHAEL DINAPOLI The Florida House Financing Corp. executive director resigned while his board was investigating him concerning allegations of creating a hostile workplace. An internal inspector general's report found sufficient evidence that DiNapoli yelled at employees, interrupted them and threatened their job security. Fifteen employees left or were fired during DiNapoli's first six months. The board dropped the investigation the day after DiNapoli's resignation. In his letter, the former director claimed his "attempts to resolve any possible corruption by staff or certain board members were cut short" and said he was the subject of "vicious attacks" when attempting to "implement modest but necessary ethical reforms."

RAY RODRIGUES The head of Florida's State

University System ordered the campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to shut down "in consultation with Governor DeSantis." The chancellor's letter to the system's presidents noted SJP "has affirmatively identified" with Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel and warned it is a felony under Florida law to "knowingly provide material support … to a designated foreign terrorist organization." Legal experts believe the order may violate the First Amendment.

The Anti-Defamation League has criticized SJP and wrote on its website, "ADL does not seek to censor or silence SJP, but rather to exercise our own First Amendment rights to report on them, criticize them and expose their views to greater public scrutiny." inweekly.net

outtakes

By Rick Outzen

BAN THE AR-15 The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, and while Gov. Ron DeSantis and other politicians have been quick to limit the Constitutional rights to freedom of speech, press and peaceably assemble, they have refused to place restrictions on guns. The Florida Legislature has made it illegal for local governments to pass gun safety laws.

Meanwhile, semi-automatics are being used in homicidal rampages at an alarming rate in our country.

Last week, a U.S. Army reservist, Robert R. Card, sprayed the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille with gunfire in Lewiston, Maine, killing 18 people and wounding 13. Surveillance photos from the bowling alley showed the killer carrying an AR-style rifle. The attack was the worst mass killing in Maine's history.

The shooting was the country's 36th mass killing this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Semi-automatic rifles, often called militarystyle or assault weapons, are a nationwide favorite when it comes to buying guns.

Since March, AR-15 style weapons have been used in mass shootings in Nashville, Tenn.; Louisville, Ky.; Allen, Texas; Farmington, N.M.; and Cleveland, Texas.

In March, Audrey Hale, 28, used seven legally purchased guns, including an AR-15, to kill three children and three adults at The Covenant School in Nashville. The attack at the private Christian school was the deadliest U.S. school shooting since the massacre in Uvalde, Texas, which left 21 people dead in May 2022.

In April, Connor Sturgeon, a banker who graduated from the University of Alabama, carried an AR-15 style rifle into a Louisville bank, killing five of his fellow employees and injuring eight others— including two police officers. In Cleveland, Texas, Martin Muniz charged into a neighbor's home and killed five people, including a 9-year-old boy, and wounded an 8-year-old girl and an adult after his neighbors asked him to stop firing his AR-style rifle because a baby was trying to sleep.

November 2, 2023

The following month, Mauricio Garcia, a former security guard, killed eight and wounded seven others when he opened fire with an AR-15 style rifle at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The victims ranged from ages 5 to 61.

The AR-15 attacks continued in May when Beau Wilson, a Farmington High School senior, went on a shooting spree in his neighborhood in a New Mexico city about the size of Pensacola.

Wilson killed Shirley Voita, 79, Melody Ivie, 73, and Gwendolyn Schofield, 98, and injured two law enforcement officers.

In July, Joseph Wamah, Jr., opened fire randomly with an AR-15-style rifle, killing four people and wounding four others, including a 2-year-old, in a southwest Philadelphia neighborhood. Authorities said the man fatally shot another person in a row house the day before.

Whenever a mass murder occurs, gun sales increase, and pro-gun advocates go on the attack. Mental health and liberals are blamed, and right-wing politicians raise millions for their campaigns. No amount of murders will change their minds.

However, the polls show the public wants some restrictions. An August poll by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found 71% of Americans believe gun laws should be stricter, including about half of Republicans, the vast majority of Democrats and a majority of those in gunowning households.

In September, President Joe Biden established the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to implement and expand on key executive and legislative action to reduce gun violence. However, it's doubtful he will get much bipartisan support, but he should. The NRA immediately mocked the initiative, calling the office the "Federal Office to Disarm LawAbiding Americans and Defeat the NRA." Semi-automatic rifles are weapons of mass destruction. They aren't used by law-abiding citizens to fend out attackers. The guns are used to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. We need to get them off the market. {in} rick@inweekly.net

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Real Change event / Photo Courtesy of Escambia County

INVESTING IN BROWNSVILLE For the past decade, the Escambia County Commission has focused on revitalizing Brownsville, a once-thriving community that served as the western entrance to Pensacola before Interstate 10's completion.

"Brownsville is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Pensacola, and a lot of people talk about East Hill and its diversity, but when you come to Brownsville, it's very diverse," said Commissioner Lumon May. "When we got elected, one of the first things we did was buy a building from Brownsville Assembly of God that we made the largest community center in Escambia County. We partnered with the Paces Foundation and Pastor Horton to do Brownsville Manor, which offers affordable senior living. This gave us two anchors."

Since Brownsville Community Center opened in 2017, the county has also invested millions in more than four miles of new sidewalks, more than seven miles of repaved roadways and additional playground and exercise equipment at the Brownsville Community Center park. The county has also purchased the old Masonic Lodge building to renovate into a new 8,000-square-foot library and community space; it's expected to be completed in early 2025.

"Once we had the two anchors, we began the programmatic part of it and started a senior program that's now 50 or 60 people," said Commissioner May. "With Community Health, we started a yoga program for people at Brownsville who had never even experienced yoga. We launched our summer youth employment program right out of Brownsville, where we have about 300 young people who have jobs working in municipalities."

In September, Escambia County hosted its inaugural Real Change event at the Brownsville Community Center, which drew more than 200 attendees and featured more than 50 community partners working together to provide resources to the community. Escambia County Area Transit provided free transportation to the event, which offered free haircuts, lunch and other support.

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"As your local government, we shouldn't make people come to us for resources," Commissioner May said. "We should be proactive and bring resources into the community, which is exactly what events like this accomplish."

Escambia County was also awarded $350,000 in RESTORE Act funding for designing a business incubator, which will be constructed near the new library to provide services and resources to business owners or anyone looking to start a new business. The business incubator will include office and commercial spaces, offering networking opportunities and business mentorships.

DOWNTOWN PARKING Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves has often said one of his biggest headaches has been the complaints concerning downtown parking.

"What we realized many months ago, as we dealt with complaints, was that we've never actually looked at parking holistically at one time, ever," said the mayor at his Oct. 24 presser. "I mean, it was with DIB (Downtown Improvement Board) and with Premium (Premium Parking) at one point. It's been all over the map, and we've never just sat down, and done the adult thing, and say, 'Let's assess what is actually happening with our parking and how we can improve it moving forward.'"

Reeves added, "If we are going to do right by the citizens and right by the tourists that visit us, we cannot sit idly by anymore and just say that this is how it is, and we've done that for years. It's long overdue that we figure something else out."

He hired Olive Tree Consulting to study the problem, and Pensacola City Council heard the consultant's recommendations at its Agenda Review last week. The recommendations included changing to the ParkMobile App, adding more parking zones, expanding the paid parking hours from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. to 8 a.m.-midnight, and increasing the base hourly parking rate to $1.

If the City implements all four recommendations, Olive Tree estimated the projected annual revenue would be $2.86 million—funds Mayor Reeves and the Pensacola City Council could put to build, improve and maintain infrastructure downtown.

The consultant looked at four mobile apps and recommended Atlanta-based ParkMobile because of its "extensive integration" in Florida, where 23 municipalities use the app. Olive Tree wrote, "This dense network provides a testament to its reliable service and local expertise."

As part of the study, the City hired University of West Florida Haas Center to survey customers' experiences with downtown parking. More than 5,000 people responded, and limited availability of parking spaces topped the respondents' concerns. In addition, 73% found locating a parking space to be difficult or extremely difficult.

Olive Tree recommended eliminating the two-hour free parking spaces on Palafox Street and other downtown streets. The free parking on Spring and Alcaniz streets and surrounding Seville Square would be in paid parking zones.

According to the consultant, the vibrancy of downtown's nightlife made the current policy of cutting off paid parking at 7 a.m. illogical because that is when demand for street parking intensifies. The Haas Center survey revealed 88% found the most challenging time to find parking was in the afternoons or evenings.

The additional hours would promote turnover, ensuring more people can access convenient parking. The rotation fosters "equitable access to prime parking spots, especially during times when demand might outstrip supply."

Currently, the City offers the first 30 minutes free and then charges 50 cents an hour. Olive Tree showed the rate is significantly below what other similar cities charge. Olive Tree recommended $1 as the base hourly rate.

Mayor Reeves has defended the higher rate as necessary to fund improvements downtown, and he argued parking users should shoulder the costs.

"If we've got to fix something and didn't have parking revenue for it, everybody, including people who don't come downtown at all, are now footing the bill," he said. "So the best way to try to combat that in the downtown area is to ask the people who use it most to help put the bill for those costs and not all 55,000 of us."

The mayor wants more time to analyze the recommendations before he brings them to the city council for approval. However, he did tell the press about the first phase he would like to implement by Jan. 1. "Before we get into policy changes, costs, new parking spaces, changing times, I think the first one in front of us will be changing the parking app."

WARRINGTON PREP Former teachers and

parents complained to WEAR-TV about the restrictions placed on the seventh-grade students at Warrington Preparatory Academy after some students had flooded a bathroom and damaged

several classrooms. Dr. Eddie Ruiz, state superintendent for Charter USA Schools, which runs the school, talked with Inweekly.

"When we came into this project, we knew it was going to be a heavy lift for culture and high expectations, and we went pretty fast," said Ruiz, who noted the sixth and eighth grades made the adjustments. "Our seventh graders were the ones; we didn't reset with them how we should have."

He pushed back against allegations the students were placed in lockdown. "It wasn't a lockdown; it was, we limited movement. We do that in our K-5 and K-8 buildings, where our students don't move as much. I quote Spider-Man, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' And seventh graders, we had to understand they have a lot of privileges and a lot of responsibilities. We had to just make sure that they understood the expectations that we needed them to follow in order to do all the things that they're able to do."

Ruiz continued, "And so we took this opportunity to reset, and that's what we were able to do. We've seen lots of things happen positively with doing that."

He said Charter Schools USA has focused on changing Warrington Middle School's culture after the Florida Department of Education mandated it become a charter school when the Escambia County School Board repeatedly failed to improve its academic performance.

"Our acronym here at Warrington is RISE, and the first one, R, is respect," Ruiz said. "And you see that now the teachers and the staff are respecting students, and the students are respecting staff. They smile at you. The glimmer of hope that they see, they're walking with their uniforms on, their backpacks on, they're getting to class, they're in the classroom, they're learning."

ESCO ENGAGEMENT Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed his agency's community engagement on WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen."

"All law enforcement agencies should want a robust enforcement side and an engagement side," Sheriff Simmons said. "I go to conferences all the time, and they struggle to find this engagement side. I think we've done a really good job of getting involved with the community with the help of Escambia Sheriff Foundation."

The foundation hosted three events in October—its annual Black Tie & Boots gala, the Battle of Pensacola Kickball Game and Dream Big. At the gala, the foundation gave Community Engagement awards to those who have gone above and beyond in helping ECSO with its community engagement efforts. The 2023 recipients were Joe and Donna Meeks, Leigh Ann White-Avery with Aflac, Chris and Jenny Roney with Ace Unlocks of Pensacola, Jessica Lee of Kia Autosport of Pensacola, Leroy Williams of Brownsville Community Center and Hanto & Clarke.

Dream Big introduces kids ages 5-11 to the sheriff's office. Simmons said, "This was actually the third one. We started one in the summertime, and I thought, because my kids want inweekly.net

to be cops all their lives, let's give a chance to others. Let's mentor a little bit. Let's engage a lot, and let's have them come up here to the sheriff's office. " The first session filled up so quickly ECSO added a second one in the afternoon. Still, more children wanted to participate, so a third session was held in October. "This time, we had about 90 kids show up, and what a great session for us and the kids. They wore the shirts we gave them to school, and we gave them a little ID card as a junior deputy. It really worked out well."

The Battle of Pensacola Kickball Game was an annual event Simmons wanted to renew.

"I'm a kind of a history buff. There used to be a Founding Fathers' softball game against the Navy. I was never able to play in it because I didn't have the rank to get invited. I thought it would be pretty cool to get us together to show that we can work together."

Local elected officials and community leaders participated. The sheriff scored the only run in the 1-0 game.

DOWNTOWN POST OFFICE Mayor Reeves

is trying to find a solution to keep the downtown post office downtown.

"I had a call with our local postmaster about the downtown post office this past Thursday," he said. "We are going to reach out to the real estate folks at USPS that are in charge of these types of relocations and to let them know really that we're willing to be helpful."

The mayor said the USPS indicated the move to East Hill doesn't have to be permanent.

"They've been in the (South Palafox Street) location so long, they might have different needs, and I want to understand what those are, making sure that we can be as helpful as possible moving forward," Reeves said.

"We aren't the landlord; we aren't the postal service. There's no clear, direct line between the City's responsibility in this, but I'm going to reach out to the postal service and see if there's any way for us to be helpful to make sure that we still have a downtown location that I really believe is a great value and a great amenity for especially our downtown businesses that frequent there quite often."

IMPACTFUL IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area

announced the 2023 grant recipients selected at its annual meeting Sunday, Oct. 22. These nonprofit organizations will each receive a grant of $108,364. Since its inception, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area has awarded more than $16 million in grants to worthy nonprofits serving the Greater Pensacola area.

The other finalists who didn't receive grants still benefited from the process, according to IMPACT president Kristin Longley.

"We've already heard stories from over the weekend where some of our members that felt passionate about those projects have already personally stepped up to do what they can," she said.

"All of these projects that were brought forward are definitely needs in our community. So we are happy to see our members getting involved, whether through awarding a grant or through volunteerism or donations to individual charities as well. That's how the process is supposed to work, and so we're thrilled to see that happening already."

Valerie's House was among the 2023 grant recipients. The nonprofit provides grief support programs for children and families grieving the death of a loved one.

November 2, 2023

Valerie's House executive director Crista Brandt said, "This grant is going to support a brand new kitchen in our East Gadsden Street home. Now, actually, it doesn't even have a kitchen. So at some point in its hundred-year history, they removed the kitchen, and we actually need one because we serve meals to our families every group night."

She was thrilled to be a finalist and then chosen for a grant. "It's just an honor, and it's humbling, and it's validating that we're really making a difference with the community and bringing up and shedding light on the importance of supporting children in their grief process."

The grant recipients included Pensacola Children's Chorus and Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee (Arts Culture & History category), Santa Rosa County 4-H and Umbrella Learning Acad-

emy (Education), Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and Ocean Hour (Environment & Recreation), Children in Crisis and Valerie's House (Family), Center for Independent Living and Santa Rosa Kids' House (Health & Wellness).

The IMPACT 100 membership season begins with the first Meet and Mingle 4-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Portofino Island Resort on Pensacola Beach. Any nonprofit organization that believes a grant of more than $100,000 would be impactful for them should check out the Link & Learn series. The first one is 7:30-9 a.m. Nov. 29 at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 N. W St. For more information, visit impact100pensacola.org.

REMINDER The City of Pensacola will open a monitored recycling drop-off site 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

beginning Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2759 N. Palafox St. between Leonard Street and Texar Drive.

The drop-off site will open every Saturday, barring inclement weather and holiday weekends. City staff will be onsite to deter illegal dumping of nonrecyclable materials, provide sorting assistance and educate residents on proper recycling.

The site will feature multiple containers for residents to properly dispose of recyclables, including cardboard, #1 PET plastics, #2 plastics, steel cans and aluminum cans. Please presort recyclables before arriving at the drop-off site. All cardboard boxes must be broken down, and all recyclable items must be clean and free of food residue. Household garbage and yard waste are not accepted. For more information, visit cityofpensacolarecycles.com. {in} 7

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inweekly.net

FOO FOO Fest WHEN: Nov. 2–13 DETAILS: foofoofest.com

In case you're new to the scene or just need a refresher, Foo Foo Fest is a 12-day celebration of arts and culture that happens every fall in Pensacola and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this November. Some events are generously funded through grants by Art, Culture, Entertainment, Inc. (ACE).

Others are what they call "Friends of Foo" and are basically just other events happening during the same timeframe.

For our annual Foo Foo Fest guide, we featured a mix of both—touching on everything from live music to visual art to culinary experiences. We also included a full festival calendar to help you maximize your Foo Foo experience over the next two weeks. {in}

November 2, 2023

9

A Fest Within A Fest

By Savannah Evanoff

Built to Spill / Photo by Isabela Georgetti

Robert Goodspeed grew up going to festivals around town—SpringFest, DeLuna Fest and the like—but he noticed at some point, the music festival concept rather suddenly ceased to exist locally.

The general manager of The Handlebar wants to bring it back with Night Moves Fest.

"It just felt to me a little bit like it was a missing piece to what Pensacola had, and we have such a strong music scene here," said Goodspeed, the event founder and director. "It was something we wanted to bring to the area in terms of a music fest with nationally recognized artists."

The inaugural Night Moves Fest will be a oneday event, featuring food trucks, vendors and a killer lineup of 12 bands.

In building the lineup, Goodspeed wanted an artist with a big name to catch people's attention, along with artists they thought Pensacola would want to see perform live, he said.

"For example, Built to Spill being a band that is one of our favorite '90s alternative bands," Goodspeed said. "Soccer Mommy is a band that's an up-and-coming indie artist; it's really huge, and we're really excited to have them on."

As for the headliner, Manchester Orchestra,

the band is heavily intertwined with Pensacola—as indicated by its song of the same name.

Multiple band members have intermittently lived in Pensacola.

"It just worked out that they were free at the time and that we could make the finances work to get them down here," Goodspeed said. "They're just gonna come and hang out on the beach for a good vacation, and then play a show while they're here. So it's really exciting."

Other bands performing are Microwave, Lunar Vacation, Hovvdy, Pool Kids, Macseal, Fake Eyes, Cavae Mundi, [glsnr] and palmmeadow.

The festival shares its name with the corresponding nonprofit, which was designed to give artists and musicians a safe place to create and express themselves. And yes, the name was inspired the by classic Bog Seger track. "'Night Moves' the song is a lot about just the release and being around music and kind of having nothing else on your mind other than being an adolescent and tapping back into those feelings," Goodspeed said.

Night Moves Fest couldn't happen without Foo Foo Fest, Goodspeed said. The event was funded with a Foo Foo grant, as part of the annual festival's 10th anniversary year, happening Nov. 2-13.

"We are eternally grateful they saw our vision," Goodspeed said. "For them to not instantly write us off … we're kind of younger guys that are doing nonprofit stuff for the first time ever, right. We've had to take a lot of feedback and learn a lot about how this process works. I'm just really thankful they continue to give us a shot, and they continue to believe we want the same thing as them—and that is bringing awesome stuff to Pensacola throughout the offseason."

Goodspeed hopes to continue the festival contingent on the performance of the inaugural event.

"We've already started the conversation of, 'Alright, next year, this is how we're going to do it different,'" Goodspeed said.

NIGHT MOVES FEST

WHAT: An outdoor music festival featuring Manchester Orchestra, Built to Spill, Soccer Mommy and more WHEN: Noon Saturday, Nov. 4 WHERE: Community Maritime Park, 301 W. Main St. COST: $75 general admission, $250 VIP DETAILS: nightmovesfest.com

Foo Foo(d) Fest Foo Foo Fest is known for the events its grants help produce, but for the 10th anniversary, they are stepping it up on a culinary level with the new "Foo Foo on the Menu" program.

With the goal of celebrating the culinary arts in Pensacola, Foo Foo Fest called on a small selection of business partners to create menu items that represent the vibe of Pensacola in the fall. The collection of items is diverse, ranging from breakfast treats to beer and desserts to vegan fare.

"We're excited to be involved with Foo Foo Fest, especially on its 10th anniversary," said Brett Reid, owner of participating business Alga Beer Co. "It's inspiring to be working alongside so many creatives that are beacons in their areas of expertise."

To fuel up between Foo Foo Fest events, we vote you attempt to try all of the limited time menu items. You might want to plan your meals 010 1

carefully, though, as most of these specials are only available during the 12 days of the festival.

KIKI CHURRO FOO FOO GLUTEN-FREE WAFFLE STICKS Head to fully gluten-free kitchen and coffee shop Jitterbug for a festive take on their popular cornmeal waffles. The special is served with dipping chocolate and miso-apple caramel sauce.

Jitterbug Beverage Co., 2050 N. 12th Ave., drinkjitterbug.com FOO FOO MATCHA MONSTER DOUGHNUT You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with a decadent matcha and cinnamon maple-glazed doughnut from Parlor Doughnuts. The specialty treat is filled with raspberry jelly and topped with crushed pistachios.

Parlor Doughnuts, 120 S. Palafox St., parlordoughnuts.com

FOO FOO FRITTO MISTO Bringing an Italian treat stateside, Brother Fox presents Fritto Misto (or "Fried Mix" in Italian), which is a squid ink-fried calamari with Spanish romesco sauce.

Brother Fox, 415 N. Alcaniz St., brotherfoxsisterhen.com FOO FOO ANNIVERSARY ALE Try the Foo Foo Anniversary Ale, which is a hazy grapefruit IPA, at Alga Beer Co. on draft or bottled to take home. Be one of the first 50 to order a draft and take home a specialty pint glass.

Alga Beer Co., 2435 N. 12th Ave., algabeerco.com FOO FOO PHO Enjoy a plant-based bowl of comfort from End of the Line Cafe. The limited time pho soup fea-

tures potato, carrot, enoki mushrooms, rice vermicelli and an herbal broth.

End of the Line Cafe, 610 E. Wright St., eotlcafe.com FOO FOO GINGERBREAD LATTE Lamonte Gelato's festive special features a scoop of gingerbread gelato (a blend of its Biscoff Cookie Butter and Fall Spice flavors), plus a scoop of Espresso Gelato (made with an Alla Prima Coffee Roaster custom coffee blend).

Lamonte Gelato, 1010 N. 12th Ave., lamontegelato.com FOOFANA CUBANA SANDWICH Enjoy an afternoon downtown at Carmen's Lunch Bar and sample their special sandwich with slow-roasted pork and Boars Head ham.

Carmen's Lunch Bar, 407 S. Palafox St., facebook.com/carmenslunchbar inweekly.net

The Opera Goes Country

Janinah Burnett / Courtesy Photo

Dolly Parton drag. Bill-E's Small Batch Bacon.

Opera. Wait, opera?

Pensacola Opera's Foo Foo Fest offering aims to stand out from the festival's busy lineup when they descend on WSRE's Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on Thursday, Nov. 9 for the first ever "Songs Down South."

The local opera company intends to cast a wide net with performances by acclaimed Broadway performers and internationally renowned opera singers, hosted by "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Loosey LaDuca in Dolly Parton drag.

"A lot of opera sngers come from humble beginnings and our voices typically lead us into

opera, but I find that my friends have vast talents," said Corey McKern, the artistic director of Pensacola Opera.

McKern came up with the idea for "Songs Down South" a year ago.

A renowned opera singer himself, McKern has sung more than 55 roles in his career. He wants people to see a side of opera only performers usually see.

"After a show, performers sit around, and someone may strum guitar, and everyone is singing.

That's sort of the vibe that I wanted," he said. "I want to show a different side of these incredibly talented musicians who use their disciplined musicianship in a style that we all know and love."

"Songs Down South" will feature music from the South performed in an operatic style, without losing its twang. Expect to hear country, bluegrass, folk and more.

One of the evening's acts, "The Midnight Cricket Club," is composed of spouses Megan Marino and Michael Mayes—the latter being a longtime friend of McKern. They met in 2004 while both members of the Santa Fe Opera. Members KC Groves and Jason Hicks round out the group.

The club was created during the long, lonely Covid lockdown in the summer of 2020.

The four performers were living in Lyons, Colorado, and found themselves "under an enor-

By Joshua Encinias mous cottonwood tree singing and playing the loneliness away," said the group members as they described the project's origin.

The quad performs jazz, bluegrass and, of course, opera. Mayes will come to Pensacola hot off the heels of a new opera debut at the Houston Grand Opera in October.

Another performer, Janinah Burnett, was recently in the closing cast of "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway. Burnett will perform a softer set with piano, singing spirituals and cover songs Southern in nature—all belted in her beautiful soprano voice.

She is one of few singers to perform roles on both Broadway and in the Metropolitan Opera, making her one of the most accomplished musicians of her generation.

Attendees can also expect to hear The Opera Cowgirls blend the greatest operatic hits with some country flavor—everything from Puccini to Parton.

The Opera Cowgirls, founded by Caitlin McKechney (guitar/banjolele), is an alt-country band described as grand opera meets the Grand Ole Opry. The group also includes Sarah Beckham-Turner (cello), Maria Maxfield (dulcimer/egg shaker or tambourine), Jessica Sandidge (mandolin/rival egg shaker or tambourine) and Mila Henry (mini-keyboards/percussion).

The night's corraller-in-chief, LaDuca as Dolly Parton, will act as emcee.

The Opera's music director Cody Martin came up with the idea to bring LaDuca after seeing her on the most recent season of "RuPaul's Drag Race." LaDuca made an impression on RuPaul with her world-class impressions of Joan Rivers and Dolly Parton. "(LaDuca) will emcee, tell some jokes and do some numbers of her own in addition to introducing the acts," McKern said.

McKern told Inweekly that Pensacola Opera wants the LGBTQ+ community to see LaDuca's role at the event as an extended hand welcoming them to the event.

Prior to the evening's musical show, "Songs Down South" will host a full Southern barbecue setup with cocktails, beer and wine under a big tent outside of WSRE's studio.

William Stitt created a menu for the evening, including barbecue and traditional sides.

Stitt owns Bill-E's the Restaurant in Fairhope and provides his infamous small batch bacon to local establishments, such as Jackson's Steakhouse, The Fish House and Apple Market. And yes, his bacon is on the menu.

Birmingham's Scott Jones, the former food and wine editor at Southern Living Magazine, crafted some Southern cocktails for the evening.

"Scott hand-selected a couple wines and beers that go with barbecue and the theme," McKern said. "It's going to be an amazing meal.

William and Scott are both at the top of what they do." "'Songs Down South' is going to be a backstage experience," McKern said. "If you saw an opera and came to the party afterward, this is what you'd experience."

SONGS DOWN SOUTH WHAT: A one-night-only festival of Southern music, food and spirits WHEN: Food and drinks 5 p.m., concert 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 WHERE: Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Boulevard COST: $125 for food, drinks and concert; $75 for the concert only DETAILS: pensacolaopera.com

Painting the Tanyard

Banks Compton / Photo Courtesy of the Artist and by Marcy Wargo November 2, 2023

Though it's not an official grant-funded event, Pensacola Mural Fest is a returning "Friend of Foo" that's definitely worth adding to your cultural to-do list this weekend.

For its second year, the festival will add five vibrant murals to businesses along Barrancas Street in the Tanyard neighborhood.

The festival selected five artists and artist groups from dozens of applications and worked to pair artist quality and preference with each unique wall's needs. From there, the artists created design proposals, and both the Pensacola Mural Festival and the property owners provided feedback to arrive at a design that worked for all.

Funding for the murals was divided between the property owners and the festival.

Funding provided by the sponsors ensures the artists are paid a fair rate.

Artists include locals Eniko Ujj and Monty Welt, plus Foley-based artist Banks Compton, Central Florida-based Drake Arnold and Pensacola natives turned nomads Hand in Hand Creative.

Compton's wall is the largest project of his muralist career.

"I loved the process of working with Scott Brown to develop the design for Merchants Paper," Compton said. "We created something that

reflects Scott, his family and the business and hope it brings people joy."

All of the artists will complete their murals

by Saturday, Nov. 4, when the festival invites the public to see the finished works.

Other events planned for the festival include a local art market hosted by Pensacola Arts Market, veteran art show and musical performers inside the American Legion. Food vendors O.G. Lolas, Something Asian and Jumping Lomo will also attend.

Throughout the day, each artist will host an artist talk at the site of his or her mural. The artists will will answer questions and discuss their process and lessons learned.

PENSACOLA MURAL FEST

WHAT: An event celebrating murals and public art WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 WHERE: Various locations along the Barrancas Avenue corridor in the Tanyard neighborhood COST: Free DETAILS: pensacolamuralfest.com 11

Foo Foo Fest Calendar THE LIVING MUSEUM: A TRIP THROUGH PENSACOLA'S HISTORY

This interactive experience will feature diverse characters from Pensacola's storied history, beginning in 1559 with the discovery of Pensacola

by Don Tristan de Luna to present day. Event is 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Pensacola Museum of History, 330 S. Jefferson St. Details at fiestapensacola.org.

XANADU

Watch the roller-skating musical adventure "Xanadu" with local talent while benefiting Dixon School of Arts & Sciences. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, Saturday, Nov. 11 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12 at the University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway Building 82. Tickets are $15-$25. Join the kickoff party 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at REX Theatre, 18 N. Palafox. Admission is free. Visit xanadupensacola. com for details.

309 PUNK PROJECT'S NIGHT ON THE TRACKS

Magic Carpet

FEATURED EVENTS

POSEIDON'S GARDEN PRESENTED

BY FIRST CITY ART CENTER

Located in the protected area of the tidal basin at Maritime Park, the installation includes more than 300 various-sized blown glass orbs and spikes rising from the water as an offering from Poseidon to recognize our area's stewardship of our beautiful surroundings. This installation is on view throughout the festival.

MAGIC CARPET

The 2023 downtown installation is a colorful mosaic located at Museum Plaza, 300 S. Tarragona St. throughout the festival.

RHYTHM & CANVAS

A collaboration between the Visual Arts Department and the Performing Arts Department at Pensacola State College, "Rhythm and Canvas" will feature artwork and performances of New Orleans-based artists Scott Andresen and Adonis Rose. For more information about Andresen's exhibition and artist lecture, visit visualarts.pensacolastate.edu. To purchase tickets for Rose's concerts with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, visit performingarts.pensacolastate.edu.

SINGING IN THE STREET

The Choral Society of Pensacola and Pensacola Children's Chorus transform the Pensacola Museum of History into an interactive singalong 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 2 at 330 S. Jefferson St. Admission is free.

NIGHT MOVES MUSIC FEST

Enjoy an all-day music festival featuring Built to Spill and Manchester Orchestra starting at noon Saturday, Nov. 4 at Community Maritime Park, 351 W. Cedar St. There's also a preshow Friday night at The Handlebar for VIP ticket holders. Tickets are $75 for general admission and $250 for VIP and are available at nightmovesfest.com.

WEEK IN THE PARK

Pensacola and Veterans Memorial Park will showcase and celebrate all the park has to of212 1

fer during a weeklong Veterans Day celebration featuring Music in the Park 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 (tickets $10-$40), and Comedy in the Park 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 (tickets $15). The celebration ends with a Veterans Day ceremony starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

More information at veteransmemorialparkpensacola.org.

A showcase of Old East Hill with a drum line, puppet troupe, food trucks, artisan market, art from Panhandle Slim, live music and more begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. This includes free and ticketed events. Visit 309punkproject. org for details.

POP ODYSSEY TOUR: A TOUR OF PENSACOLA HISTORY, ART AND CUISINE

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents a free Veterans Day concert featuring an ensemble of 12 brass and percussion musicians at Naval Air Station Pensacola, 1750 Radford Boulevard. Show is 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Visit pensacolasymphony.com.

Join the UWF Historic Trust 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 for a trolley tour through downtown Pensacola with curated stops to take in the tastes and scenes of Pensacola history through time.

The tour will include stops at the Pensacola Outdoor Project (POP) Murals in downtown Pensacola with food pairings. Tickets are $20 and available at historicpensacola.org.

SINGEASY

A speakeasy-inspired week of Pensacola talent will offer showtimes 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Thursday, Nov. 9, Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets are $28 and available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

DESPERATE MEASURES

A musical re-telling of William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" from PenArts offers showtimes 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12 at The Gordon Community Art Center, 306 N. DeVilliers St. Tickets are $18 and available at penarts.org.

SONGS DOWN SOUTH

A celebration of Southern culture with food, music and comedy from emcee and drag artist Loosey LaDuca appearing as Dolly Parton is 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at the WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Boulevard. Tickets are $75-$125 and available at pensacolaopera.com.

HOMECOMING: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF HISTORY AND TRADITION

ON BROADWAY

Pensacola Civic Band presents a musical journey of Broadway music featuring guest artist Megan Hilty 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20-$60 and available at pensacolacivicband.org.

JAZZ FOR JUSTICE

Enjoy a day of jazz music featuring the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and more Sunday, Nov. 12 starting at 1 p.m. at Museum Plaza, 300 S. Tarragona St. Admission is free. Sponsors and VIPs can purchase tickets which benefit Legal Services of North Florida. For more information, visit jazz.lsnf.org.

FRIEND OF FOO EVENTS CELEBRATE THE FALL HARVEST

Visit Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St., for a special food and wine event celebrating the Fall Harvest. The five-course food and wine pairing is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2. Tickets are $90 per person. Reservations are required. Make yours at jacksonsrestaurant.com.

GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL

Peruse work from artists and vendors and enjoy live music and performances. Times are 9 a.m.5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at Seville Square. Admission is free. Details at ggaf.org.

UNFORTUNATE SONS AT BAMBOO WILLIE'S

Catch the band 8 p.m.-midnight Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 at Bamboo Willie's Beachside Bar, 400 Quietwater Boulevard. Admission is free.

NAS PENSACOLA BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING AIR SHOW

The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show is Nov. 3-4 with the theme of "Celebrating Women In Aviation." Watch a lineup of aerobatic performers along with the Blue Angels.

Event is free and open to the public. Get tickets at naspensacolaairshow.com.

PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS: COSÌ FAN TUTTE

A "Pensacolafied" adaptation of Mozart's comedy of love and games is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at Pensacola State College Ashmore Auditorium, 1000 College Boulevard. Tickets are $25-$40 and available at pensacolaopera.com.

IT'S TIME TO SLAY CANCER WITH DRAGONS

Live music and performances inspired by Imagine Dragons with Goldmine, Tris Weeks and more is at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. The event will benefit the Tyler Robinson Foundation. Tickets are $10-$36 and can be purchased at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

STELLA ARTOIS CHALICE PAINTING

Hosted on the front patio of O'Riley's Irish Pub, each participant will receive two Stella Artois chalices and have access to all the supplies to paint the chalice to their liking. Participants must be 21 or older. Event is 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Tickets are free.

PENSACOLA MURAL FEST

View five new murals, plus additional programing like artist talks, at multiple locations along Barrancas Street from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Admission is free. Details at pensacolamuralfest.com.

ARABIAN NIGHTS & ALE

Enjoy food from Western Shawarma's food truck, elegant belly dancing performances by Gina Nolan of Emerald Coast Belly Dance and non-tobacco and non-nicotine shisha premium fresh smoke flavors offered by TnT Hookahz. An open drum jam session around the bonfire will follow. Event is 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

LOOKING FOR LIGHT

A free lunchtime concert by the Choral Society of Pensacola's Treble Ensemble, to be conducted by Isabelle Peterson, is noon Saturday, Nov. 4 at Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.

IMPROVABLE CAUSE

Catch Pensacola's improv troupe 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets available at pensacolalittletheatre.com. inweekly.net

THIN ICE AT BAMBOO WILLIE'S

Watch Thin Ice 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at Bamboo Willie's, 400 Quietwater Boulevard. Admission is free.

NAMESAKE COLLABORATIVE ART SHOW

Hosted by Fiore, Namesake is a collaborative art show all about local artists curating works to represent our stand-out community members. This year will feature Rainbow Glass Productions combined with floral designs from Fiore. Event is 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7 at Fiore 405 S. K St. Admission is free.

RHYTHM & CANVAS: JAZZ CONCERTS FEATURING ADONIS ROSE

Grammy-winning composer and musician Adonis Rose performs with showtimes at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Pensacola State College Ashmore Auditorium, 1000 College Boulevard. Tickets available at performingarts.pensacolastate.edu/upcoming-events.

LIFE'S A DANCE

Victor & Melanie Luna's Life's a Dance Studio presents a star-studded evening of dance featuring local celebrity couples and solo dancers, world professional championship dancers and cast members from "Dancing with the Stars." Event is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 at WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Boulevard. Tickets are $35 and up. Visit lifesadanceshow.com for details.

FRANK BROWN INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITERS' FESTIVAL

The 39th annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival brings Grammy award-winning and up-and-coming songwriters to the Pensacola area Nov. 9-19 at various venues in Perdido Key, Innerarity Point and downtown Pensacola. Visit frankbrownsongwriters.com for details.

MONDE FASHION EVENT

Scout Boutique presents the MONDE Fashion Event 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St., in support of Andrews Research & Education Foundation (AREF). Tickets are $75 and up and available at vinylmusichall.com.

MAHABHUTA YOGA VEGFEST

Head to Sanders Beach, 913 S. I St. for a weekend of yoga, vegan cuisine, slackline, live music, art and more. This year celebrates the Water Rabbit.

Event kicks off 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 with a cacao ceremony. Event continues through Sunday, Nov. 12. Tickets are $30 to $250. Visit Eventbrite to purchase tickets.

CLASSICAL SOUNDS AT BAYVIEW

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents a special concert 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at the Bayview Senior Center, 2000 E. Lloyd St. Concert is open to ages 50 and older.

ZARZAUR LAW'S MURAL ALLEY

Zarzaur Law's "Mural Alley" takes place at the intersection of Palafox and Romana streets beginning Friday, Nov. 10 and concluding Sunday, Nov. 12. The project allows the artists a three-day timeframe to paint their artwork designs to compleNovember 2, 2023

tion. The final pieces will be on display in conjunction with a silent auction. The public can take part and watch the live painting for free.

PENSACOLA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL

A showcase of local and regional artists in the Pensacola Early Music Consort is 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, Saturday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 12 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Ave. Admission is free.

JARRED MCCONNELL AT BAMBOO WILLIE'S

Catch Jarred McConnell 8 p.m.-midnight Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11 at Bamboo Willie's, 400 Quietwater Boulevard. Free admission.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET

Check out a roundup of local artisans and makers at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

PENSACOLA MAKER FAIRE

Explore various makers and artists around the area in one place—from scientists to artists to crafters at Museum Plaza, 300 S. Tarragona St., on Saturday, Nov. 11. Visit pensacola.makerfaire.com for details.

BTB COMEDY SHOW

Catch a lineup of comedians including Shep Kelly of New Orleans, Ryan Adams, Hunter Stuart and Dallas Nelson 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Tickets are $5 and available at Eventbrite.

WINTER BREWFEST

O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., presents the best of "wintery" craft beers up for grabs 5-7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11. Tickets are $20-$25 and available at orileyspub.com.

BOURBON, BACON, BREWS AND CIGARS

It's all in the title. Indulge in a flight of three spirits, one brew, one cigar and tasty treats 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $25 and available at orileyspub.com.

PENSACOLA EGGFEST

Pensacola EggFest hosts barbecue teams and backyard cooks from all over the U.S. who share two things: a love of cooking and the joy of giving back to their communities. Event is noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 at Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. VIP ticket holders can enter early at 11 a.m. Get tickets at pensacolaeggfest.com.

PENSACOLA BEACH ART AND WINE FESTIVAL

Sip, stroll and shop your way around the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk viewing art from more than 30 regional artists 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.

Admission is free. Wine tastings are $40-$55 per person. Tickets available at Eventbrite.

HORSESHOE KITTY AT BAMBOO WILLIE'S

Listen to Horseshoe Kitty 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 at Bamboo Willie's, 400 Quietwater Boulevard.

Admission is free.

13

The Art of Repair

"Pool Party" by Scott Andresen / Photo Courtesy of the Artist

Scott Andresen's art is as much of a personal journey as it is a creative one.

His current mixed media work explores the nature of repair. The inspiration for the work

If you've ever felt the urge to break out in song while walking downtown, here is your chance.

The Pensacola Children's Chorus, along with the Choral Society of Pensacola, invites you to sing along with them as they perform Disney classics and Broadway staples outside the Pensacola Museum of History. This is not just a spectator event. Participation is highly encouraged.

"Everybody has an instrument in them," said Cheyenne Farley, director of advancement for the Pensacola Children's Chorus. "It doesn't matter if you can sing or not. This event is for people to have fun and feel a strong sense of community."

Thanks to a grant from Foo Foo Fest, the event is free. It's one of several affordable and accessible events that bring arts to the commu-

By Jennie McKeon

came after he was seriously injured in a bike accident several years ago. As he put his body through therapy, he was thinking of the repair process.

Nothing can be put back together exactly as it was—but maybe flaws aren't that bad, he said.

"My hope is that the mended pieces are more beautiful than the originals," said the New Orleansbased artist.

"I have always been attracted to materials and processes. This body of work is about finding ways to embed emotional narratives in the unlikely."

Andresen's body of work from the past three years will be on display at Pensacola State College Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts through Friday, Dec. 15. The exhibition, called "I Carry My Landscape with Me" features hand-dyed Margilan silk, embroidery and acrylic paint on canvas. The hand embroidery is all done by Andresen's mother.

"We send projects back and forth to each other all the time, and tying it into the theme of repair and my own struggles after my accident, repair happens as much through the community supporting you as it does via your own actions," he said. "I found out as much when I relied on friends and family daily during my recovery, and her involvement in my art recognizes those debts of gratitude I have to all that helped me at my most vulnerable."

Andresen's process is nearly as important as the finished work. Chelsea Weaver, the gallery coordinator for the Arts Center, said the exhibition showcases Andresen's trial and error, pre-planning and sketches in the hallway leading to the finished works in the gallery.

"You see the physical joining of the different components," she said. "You're exploring the work and the method."

It can be a vulnerable feeling to share art that is so personal, Andresen admits. But it also elicits vulnerable reactions, which can be special.

"Repair is a process when you value something greatly," he said. "There are people that

nity during the 12-day festival. There will be two shows—one featuring songs from Disney movies and one with Broadway tunes. Choosing familiar songs was done with a purpose to elicit some nostalgia, as well as the urge to sing along.

Farley said it was a natural fit to invite the Choral Society to participate.

"Art is naturally really collaborative," she said. "We serve the children of Santa Rosa and Escambia County, and they serve the adults— the musicianship of both communities is just as important. It's a fun experience to partner."

The event is different from the perfectly rehearsed shows put on by the Children's Chorus and the Choral Society. And that's the point, Farley said.

"Arts can be so structured. This is about coming together and celebrating," she explained.

If fun isn't enough to encourage you, just look at the health benefits of singing. Multiple studies show singing can relieve stress and stimulate memory. And according to the Center for Performance Science, singing with others is even more beneficial. A pilot study with 193 participants showed a single choir session reduced stress hormones and increased levels of immune proteins in people affected by cancer.

Farley said she wants to see others take the chance and surprise themselves by singing in the street. Who knows? You might like it enough to audition for a local choir.

"It would be really nice to see that someone

connect with the work … it's interesting … you find people sharing their personal stories. It's amazing that my work can bring that out.

As a professor at Louisiana State University (LSU), Andresen looks forward to visiting another school and connecting with students. At LSU, he works with freshman, which he finds inspiring every day.

"When you see the lightbulb go off and they quickly move from a student to an artist, it's very rewarding," he said.

This is the first time Andresen will show his work in Pensacola. He looks forward to meeting a new audience. And while he comes from an arts-rich city, he's impressed by the way Pensacola is embracing arts and culture with Foo Foo Fest.

"You need people to champion the arts," he said.

I CARRY MY LANDSCAPE WITH ME WHAT: An exhibition featuring the work of New Orleans-based artist Scott Andresen WHEN: Artist lecture and reception is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Exhibition is on view through Friday, Dec. 15.

WHERE: Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, 1000 College Boulevard COST: Free DETAILS: visualarts.pensacolastate.edu

Let's Sing along did something they haven't done in a while and allow themselves to have fun," Farley said.

SINGING IN THE STREET

WHAT: An interactive singalong presented

by Pensacola Children's Chorus and Choral Society of Pensacola WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 WHERE: Pensacola Museum of History, 330 S. Jefferson St. COST: Free DETAILS: pensacolasings.org, choralsocietyofpensacola.org

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15

a&e happenings NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Scenic Hills Country Club, 8891 Burning Tree Road. The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. The full bar and restaurant offer special adult beverages just for bingo nights. You must be 18 to play. For more information, visit facebook. com/animalalliesflorida.

ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3

p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. 9th Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.

CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing

Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens at 10 a.m. and has clothing. Food donations needed are pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.

CALL TO ARTISTS

JAZZ PENSACOLA'S JAZZFEST POSTER

Jazz Pensacola invites fine artists and graphic designers to submit renderings for the official 2024 Pensacola JazzFest poster.

The commission is $500. The Jazz Pensacola Board of Directors will consider all renderings and make a selection. Initial drafts are due by Jan. 31, 2024. If selected, the completed submission deadline is Feb. 28, 2024.

The poster design should reflect the deep, rich and diverse jazz music heritage of Pensacola and communicate a sense of place. Submissions should conform to a vertical orientation using a ratio that will fit with margin on a final poster size of 18 inches wide by 24 inches high. All content must be the submitter's original creation, and must be unpublished. The submitter must have all rights to images and graphics used in the final artwork and during the design process. The poster must include the name of the festival: 2024 Pensacola JazzFest.

616 1

Rough drafts or sketches can be submitted, but, if selected, the final art must conform to the submitted draft or sketch. Substantial deviation from the submitted sketch or draft will result in forfeiture by the artist of the cash prize and the selection of a new winner by Jazz Pensacola.

Submissions must be in low-res (72 ppi) JPEG format and emailed to info@jazzpensacola.com. There is no limit to the number of entries by a single artist. Each entry must include the artist's name, address, email and phone number.

The selected artist is responsible for the preparation of the art for high-resolution reproduction. The artist will be contacted following the selection process and receive technical specifications for the production file.

ARTS & CULTURE

ENTRECON 2023 Annual signature business,

leadership and entrepreneurship conference.

Event is Nov. 2 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Visit entreconpensacola.com for details and tickets.

OUR TOWN UWF Department of Theatre

presents "Our Town" with showtimes 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4 at Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. Tickets are $7-$20 and free to UWF students. More information at uwf.edu/tickets.

day, Nov. 7 at Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets start at $59 at pensacolasaenger.com.

EAST HILL MAKERS FALL MARKET Enjoy an afternoon of shopping, food trucks, and kids' activities at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. with more than 50 craft and farm vendors 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Visit myeasthill.org for details.

BIG SCREEN ON THE BAYOU MOVIE NIGHT Bring your blanket, chairs, family and

friends to watch "Shrek" on the jumbo screen 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Bayview Park.

Visit myeasthill.org for details.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers the second Saturday of every month. The next date is 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.

sacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets are available at pensacolabaycenter.com.

PENSACOLA ARTS MARKET Shop small and buy art at Pensacola Arts Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every fourth Saturday of the month at Cordova Square, 1101 N. 12th Ave. Enjoy a local artisan and farmers market with more than 50 vendors, food trucks, plants, vintage clothing and décor, live musical performances, kids' crafts and games.

This is a free event. Pensacola Arts Market is set up 4-9 p.m. every first Friday of the month and 2-6 p.m. every third Sunday at Gary's Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.

HOLLAND FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH & MAZE Get into the fall season with a farm

ROLL-CALL: 2023 ART AND DESIGN FACULTY EXHIBITION The Art Gallery at UWF

BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES APPEARANCE The Budweiser Clydesdales will be available for appearances and photo opportunities at the Blue Angels Air Show on NAS Pensacola, Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

KATT WILLIAMS: THE DARK MATTER TOUR Show is 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Pen-

hayride, corn maze, kids' activities, pumpkin patch and more 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 4 at 2055 Holland Road in Milton.

Visit hollandfarmsonline.com for details.

MEAN GIRLS The touring company of the

Broadway show makes at stop in Pensacola with showtimes at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6 and Tues-

presents "Roll-Call: The 2023 Art and Design Faculty Exhibition" on view through Dec. 8.

The Art Gallery is located at 11000 University Parkway Building 88. Visit facebook.com/ tag82uwf for details.

SUDDENLY AMERICAN: A MEETING OF HERITAGE AND COUNTRY This exhibit

looks at the transition of Florida from a Spanish territory to an American region, which formally occurred in 1821. Florida's embattled history dates back much farther than 1821. From refusing independence during the American Revolution to wanting its own freedom in 1810, Florida loved to cause problems. The U.S. eyed the region early on, using the Seminole Wars as an excuse to seize territory before turning to diplomatic means to acquire Florida.

The Adams-Onis Treaty, debated and initially agreed upon in 1819, resulted in Spain ceding control of East Florida to the United States.

At the same time, Spain also agreed to give up all claims on West Florida, in essence giving the entire Florida territory over to the United States. Ratified in 1821, the treaty was cause for celebration in Pensacola, the capital of West Florida, as it officially became part of America.

This exhibit is on view at Pensacola Museum of History through December. Visit historicpensacola.org for details.

FOOD + DRINKS

ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS The next Atlas Beverage Class is 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at 600 S. Barracks St. with Cutwater Spirits canned cocktails. Classes are $30 per person.

Reservations are required. Make yours by calling (850) 287-0200 or emailing taylor@ goodgrits.com.

A TASTE OF GREEK COOKING DEMONSTRATION DINNER Savor the flavors of

Greece with this demonstration dinner at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $69 and available at bodaciousshops.com.

YAPPY HOUR Join Wolfgang event for Yappy

Hour 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Pensacola Bay Brewery, 225 Zaragoza St. Enjoy $5 when you bring your dog.

HARRY POTTER TRIVIA Test your Harry Potter knowledge at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Visit facebook. com/garysbrew for details.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE FIN

Partake in brunch specials, full café menu, espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. 9th Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin.com for details.

inweekly.net

a&e happenings GREEN THUMB WINE TASTING Join Green Thumb Wines every First Friday of the month for a free wine tasting 6-8 p.m. at 9 E. Gregory St. The next date is Friday, Nov. 3 and will feature six wines from Palestine made by Palestinians.

All proceeds will go to the House of Hope Vision School on the West Bank.

SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.

JACKSON'S STEAKHOUSE FRIDAY LUNCH SERVICE Jackson's Steakhouse, 400

S. Palafox St., is now open for lunch service 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. Chef Irv Miller has created a new lunch menu, which includes selections of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, featured plates and hand-selected steaks. Visit jacksonssteakhouse.com to see a full menu.

GAMER/JACKBOX NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

nights 7-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at 50 E. Garden St. Visit facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco for details.

House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub. com for details.

RADIOLIVE WUWF presents RadioLive with

TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS

Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

Tavern hosts trivia 8 p.m.-midnight Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

TINY MOVING PARTS, WORLD'S GREATEST DAD Show is 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at The

CERTAINLY SO, SIREN & THE MUDPUPPIES, YEAH PROBABLY Show is 8 p.m.

DEPARTURE: JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND

PSO PRESENTS TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY NO. 4 With guest conductor Brett

TRIVIA AT WISTERIA Trivia is 6 p.m. Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.

Mitchell, the performance is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $24. Tickets for the 1:30 p.m. dress rehearsal are $10 and available at pensacolasymphony.com.

THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT

JAZZ PENSACOLA JAZZ JAM The Novem-

BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for Bar Bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

SECOND TUESDAY THEMED TRIVIA

TRIVIA AT SIR RICHARD'S Flex your trivia

ber Jazz Jam is 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox. Visit jazzpensacola.com for details.

PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT ARTEL GALLERY Catch PSO inside Artel

knowledge 8-10 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public

The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $12-$15 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

Lilli Lewis, Amy Speace and Claude Bourbon 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. Tickets are $10 and available at radiolive.org.

Thursday, Nov. 2 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10-$13 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA O'Riley's

Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. Gary's Brewery is located at 208 Newman Ave. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.

Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for themed trivia

LIVE MUSIC

VULCANO, SADISTIC RITUAL, ROTTED REMAINS Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at

Gallery, 223 S. Palafox St. for a free performance 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Details at pensacolasymphony.com.

Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $22-$25 and available at thehandlebar850.com.

Show is 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20 and available at vinylmusichall.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ Visit Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music on select days.

•Tuesdays: Greg Bond from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

•Thursdays: John Wheeler from 6-8 p.m.

•Saturdays: Glenn Parker Band from 6:30-10 p.m.

•Sundays: Curt Bol Quintet from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY Music pickers of all levels are invited to play

7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.

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17

free will astrology WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): "Our bodies sometimes serve as the symbolic ground where order and disorder fight for supremacy," writes storyteller Caroline Kettlewell. Here's good news, Aries: For you, order will triumph over disorder in the coming weeks. In part through your willpower and in part through life's grace, you will tame the forces of chaos and enjoy a phase when most everything makes sense. I don't mean you will have zero problems, but I suspect you will have an enhanced power to solve problems.

Your mind and heart will coordinate their efforts with exceptional flair.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): I recently endured a three-hour root canal. Terrible and unfortunate, right? No! Because it brought profound joy. The endodontist gave me nitrous oxide, and the resulting euphoria unleashed a wild epiphany.

For the duration of the surgery, I had vivid visions of all the people in my life who love me. I felt their care. I was overwhelmed with the kindness they felt for me. Never before had I been blessed with such a blissful gift. Now, in accordance with your astrological omens, I invite you to induce a similar experience—no nitrous oxide needed. It's a perfect time to meditate on how well you are appreciated and needed and cherished.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Unless you are

very unusual, you don't sew your clothes or grow your food. You didn't build your house, make your furniture or forge your cooking utensils. Like most of us, you know little about how water and electricity arrive for your use. Do you have any notion of what your grandparents were doing when they were your age? Have you said a prayer of gratitude recently for the people who have given you so much? I don't mean to put you on the spot with my questions, Gemini. I'm merely hoping to inspire you to get into closer connection with everything that nourishes and sustains you. Honor the sources of your energy. Pay homage to your foundations.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Cancerian

singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega has had a modest but sustained career. With nine albums, she has sold more than three million records, but is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has said, "I al-

By Rob Brezsny

ways thought that if I were popular, I must be doing something wrong." I interpret that to mean she has sought to remain faithful to her idiosyncratic creativity and not pay homage to formulaic success. But here's the good news for you in the coming months, fellow Cancerian: You can be more appreciated than ever before simply by being true to your soul's inclinations and urges.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): "Everything in the world has a hidden meaning," wrote Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis. Did he really mean everything? Your dream last night, your taste in shoes, your favorite TV show, the way you laugh? As a fun experiment, let's say that yes, everything has a hidden meaning. Let's also hypothesize that the current astrological omens suggest you now have a special talent for discerning veiled and camouflaged truths. We will further propose you have an extraordinary power to penetrate beyond surface appearances and hone on previously unknown and invisible realities. Do you have the courage and determination to go deeper than you have ever dared? I believe you do.

You now have the potential to make unprecedented discoveries.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): How many

glowworms would have to gather in one location to make a light as bright as the sun? Probably more than a trillion. And how many ants would be required to carry away a 15-pound basket of food? I'm guessing more than 90,000.

Luckily for you, the cumulative small efforts you need to perform so as to accomplish big breakthroughs won't be nearly that high a number. For instance, you may be able to take a quantum leap after just six baby steps.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): In the 17th century, John Milton wrote a long narrative poem titled "Paradise Lost." I've never read it and am conflicted about the prospect of doing so. On one hand, I feel I should engage with a work that has had such a potent influence on Western philosophy and literature. On the other hand, I'm barely interested in Milton's story, which includes boring conversations between God and Satan and the dreary tale

of how God cruelly exiled humans from paradise because the first man, Adam, was mildly rebellious.

So what should I do? I've decided to read the CliffsNotes study guide about "Paradise Lost," a brief summary of the story. In accordance with astrological omens, I suggest you call on similar shortcuts, Libra. Here's your motto: If you can't do the completely right thing, try the partially right thing.

Your mind and heart will coordinate their efforts with exceptional flair.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Who would have guessed elephants can play the drums really well? On a trip to Thailand, Scorpio musician Dave Soldier discovered that if given sticks and drums, some elephants kept a steadier beat than humans. A few were so talented Soldier recorded their rhythms and played them for a music critic who couldn't tell they were created by animals. In accordance with astrological omens, I propose you Scorpios seek out comparable amazements. You now have the potential to make unprecedented discoveries.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Sagittarian novelist Shirley Jackson wrote, "No live organism can continue for long to exist under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids dream." Since she wrote that, scientists have gathered evidence that almost all animals dream and that dreaming originated at least 300 million years ago. With that as our inspiration and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to enjoy an intense period of tapping into your dreams. To do so will help you escape from absolute reality. It will also improve your physical and mental health and give you unexpected clues about how to solve problems.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Capri-

corn writer Kahlil Gibran believed an essential human longing is to be revealed. We all want the light in us to be taken out of its hiding place and shown. If his idea is true about you, you will experience major cascades of gratification in the coming months. I believe you will be extra ex-

pressive. And you will encounter more people than ever before who are interested in knowing what you have to express. To prepare for the probable breakthroughs, investigate whether you harbor any fears or inhibitions about being revealed—and dissolve them.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): November is Build Up Your Confidence Month. In the coming weeks, you are authorized to snag easy victories as you steadily bolster your courage to seek bigger, bolder triumphs. As much as possible, put yourself in the vicinity of people who respect you and like you. If you suspect you have secret admirers, encourage them to be less secretive. Do you have plaques, medals or trophies? Display them prominently. Or visit a trophy store and have new awards made for you to commemorate your unique skills—like thinking wild thoughts, pulling off one-of-a-kind adventures and inspiring your friends to rebel against their habits.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): I'm glad we

have an abundance of teachers helping us learn how to be here now—to focus on the present moment with gratitude and grace. I love the fact that books on the art of mindfulness are now almost as common as books about cats and cooking. Yay. But I also want to advocate for the importance of letting our minds wander freely. We need to celebrate the value and power of not always being narrowly zeroed in on the here and now. We can't make intelligent decisions unless we ruminate about what has happened in the past and what might occur in the future. Meandering around in fantasyland is key to discovering new insights. Imaginative ruminating is central to the creative process. Now please give your mind the privilege of wandering far and wide in the coming weeks, Pisces.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What is the kindest act you ever did? Care to do it again? {in}

freewillastrology.com

newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2023 Rob Brezsny

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news of the weird HALLOWEEN FUN At Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, a mystery occurs every year at Halloween: Two pumpkins become impaled on the twin spires of the clock tower in the middle of campus. United Press International reported that the pumpkins have appeared since the 1970s, but no one seems to know who puts them there or how they do it. "Conjuring the best, if far-fetched, tale on how it happens is a favorite campus pastime," the university's website reads.

•It could only happen in Utah: City officials in Grantsville took to Facebook on Oct. 18 to demand that a Halloween display centered on a street sign be removed, Fox13Now-TV reported. The tableau featured a skeleton pole-dancing while two other skeletons sat in folding chairs with dollar bills in their hands. "Displays like this are not acceptable as it is against city code to attach anything to a street sign," the city wrote.

And the pranksters complied: They moved the display to a front yard, with a new lighted pole, lights on the ground to make a "stage," and a tip jar. One commenter on the city's page gushed, "I salute the Halloween Decoration WIZARD that created this MASTERPIECE." •Hellen Schweizer, 28, of Wooster, Ohio, embraced her vampirism two years ago on Halloween, The Columbus Dispatch reported. "Not every vampire is bad," she explained. "I follow a higher path." For instance: "I'm not interested in sucking anyone's blood." But living as a vampire, with fangs, white makeup and a black cloak, "just felt right" for the social media manager. Schweizer said the "sun makes me nauseous" and she gains most of her energy at night. "I came out of the coffin, as it were, and never felt so free in my life."

SAW THAT COMING Two men in Minnesota were shot on Oct. 22 in separate incidents involving child shooters who were participating in youth hunting events, CBS News reported. In the first case, a 45-year-old dad from Becker Township had his 12-year-old daughter in a deer stand, where she had just successfully shot a deer. But then she accidentally shot her father in the leg.

Another family member applied a tourniquet until emergency personnel arrived. In the second incident, a 50-year-old man was trying to explain to a 10-year-old boy how to unload a hunting rifle when the child accidentally pulled the trigger, somehow hitting both of the adult's buttocks. No news on the condition of either victim.

AWWWWW! While Amir Khan and Kat Warren of Washington, D.C., were visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Oct. 19, they became stranded along with other tourists at the top when a man was discovered climbing the structure. On hand with the couple was Associated Press reporter Pat Eaton-Robb, who was also visiting. Lucky for them, Eaton-Robb caught the moment when Khan decided to propose. He had been planning to do so later that evening at a restaurant, but "she always wanted to be proposed to on or un-

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

der the Eiffel Tower. So I figured, 'This is it, this is the moment,'" Khan said. While romance was in the air atop the tower, police were arresting the climber, who was inexplicably carrying a banner that said something about singer-songwriter Billie Eilish.

BRIGHT IDEA An unnamed 22-year-old man in Warsaw, Poland, outwitted mall security guards—for a time—after twice posing in a store window as a mannequin, The New York Times reported on Oct. 20. The man stood still next to two other mannequins and held a bag until the mall closed, when he stole jewelry from a kiosk.

On another occasion, he ate at one of the mall's restaurants, found a new set of clothing and headed back for another meal. Police arrested the suspect, who faces up to 10 years in prison.

ANIMAL ANTICS Since Sept. 20, Alejandro Rios, 25, has become the target of a dive-bombing magpie who follows him as he rides his bike home from work. Fox News reported on Oct. 18 that the Brisbane, Australia, resident first felt something hit his head more than a month ago. "I ... thought a piece of fruit had fallen off a tree or someone had hit me," he said. Rios' helmet and eyewear protect him from injury, but the bird is persistent. Scientists say magpies remember faces and this one is likely protecting his young. "It's a bit of a friend and a bit of a nemesis," Rios said of his attacker. "I want to say it's my friend—but it really, really hates me."

I'LL HAVE THE COORS LIGHT Someone posted a video on Weibo on Oct. 19 that captured a man climbing into a malt container at Pingdu, China, brewery Tsingtao and relieving himself, Sky News reported. The company, which identifies itself as the world's sixth-largest beermaker, released a statement, saying: "The batch of malt in question has been completely sealed" and police are investigating. However, the company's stock took a sizable hit, with share prices dropping 7.5% by Oct. 23.

REPEAT OFFENDER? A particular house in Haddonfield, New Jersey, appears to be the victim of very bad luck—or a serial car arsonist, WPVI-TV reported. Police say the most recent attack, on Oct. 21 around 1 a.m., was the third at the house since 2017. But strangely, all three attacks have been on cars belonging to different homeowners. In the latest incident, security cameras captured a person pouring gasoline on a 2010 Toyota Highlander and lighting it up. Police say they don't believe the attacks are aimed at the people who live there, who are "doing everything right. They have a camera system, they're calling us. It just unfortunately keeps happening." {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2023 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com November 2, 2023

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Independent News | November 2, 2023 | inweekly.net