SHOUT OUT
Celebrating the Wins That Lift Us All
Nonprofit certification boosts credibility and demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of management. It builds trust with donors, partners, and volunteers while enhancing accountability and stewardship.
— Andrea Krieger PSC’s Executive Director of Institutional Development
Rishy and I support many not-for-profits.
This certification creates a gold standard in quality. Organizations that are certified will be seen very favorable by us in the decision on where to donate.
— Quint Studer
The Value of Accreditation
Pensacola State College’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Philanthropy is raising the bar for nonprofit organizations with its prestigious certification programs. Designed to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while promoting the highest standards in nonprofit management, these certifications are a game-changer for organizations aiming to amplify their impact.
Led by a team of dedicated PSC staff, nonprofit experts, and community partners, the program equips nonprofit professionals with best practices in critical areas such as board governance, strategic planning, fundraising, risk management, human resources, and financial management.
Certified organizations gain access to a host of benefits, including grant opportunities, research resources, and templates designed to enhance their mission’s impact. Certification also signals professional
Accreditation benefits your organization, board of directors, and stakeholders by providing: A MARK OF QUALITY
Showing a commitment to accountability, competence, and excellence.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Assures board members, funders, and stakeholders that policies and procedures include necessary safeguards.
STUDER
OF COMPANIES
growth and team development, empowering nonprofits with cutting-edge skills and knowledge.
“These certifications open doors to incredible projects and collaborations,” said Andrea Krieger, PSC’s Executive Director of Institutional Development. “They position nonprofits as transparent, ethical, and forward-thinking—qualities that attract funders and partners.”
Krieger emphasized that certified nonprofits often stand out in competitive grant processes, with funders prioritizing organizations that demonstrate compliance and excellence.
“We’re thrilled to support nonprofits that enhance the vibrancy of our wonderful community,” she shared.
Through PSC’s certification programs, nonprofit professionals can transform their organizations and strengthen their impact.
BENEFITS VARY BY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM
Whether enrolled in Organizational Excellence, Core Competency, or a Subject Matter Certificate; accreditation provides expert instruction to help train your team and improve individual and organizational efficiency.
5Eleven • Blue Wahoos • Bodacious Shops • Bodacious Bookstore Bodacious Brew Thru • Bubba’s Sweet Spot • Oyster Bay • Studer Properties Submit your shout out: info@quintstuder.com
DOWNTOWN CROWD | APRIL 2025
Morgan Cole, Editor
Springtime is here, and the local arts scene is in full bloom. In this issue, we’ve brought you details on a few of our favorite new and returning spring events coming to the downtown streets. One that I’m particularly excited about is the Saenger Theatre’s upcoming 100th anniversary celebration. On April 2, the “Grand Dame of Palafox” will turn 100 years old. To celebrate the occasion, the Friends of the Saenger and Saenger management have partnered with the City of Pensacola to host a series of free community events. The anniversary festivities will kick off on April 2 with a ribbon cutting and theatre tours concluded by a big birthday street party event on April 6. These events are free and open to the public, so be sure to stop by and join in the celebration.
This month, you’ll also read about this year’s CUBED mural exhibit, which recently made its debut in Museum Plaza. This year marks the eighth installment of this annual display of murals, and the designs are nothing short of breathtaking. Check out some of the completed murals and learn more about the exhibit on page 11.
All this, plus details on Pensacola Little Theatre’s upcoming Cabaret of Curiosities, the return of the Gulf Coast Whale Festival and more.
As always, we hope you enjoy the read and until next time,
April 19, 2025
Presented by Trinity Presbyterian Church 3400 Bayou Blvd Pensacola, FL 32503
JellyBean5K.com
Please join us for our 7thannual
Join us Saturday, April 19th, 2025 at 8 a.m. for the 7th Annual Jelly Bean 5K race!
This is a family friendly event with state of the art race timing through the gentle rolling hills of Cordova Park. This year’s run will have a timed run and timed walk, as well as our children’s fun run.
Proceeds will benefit the Trinity Presbyterian Outreach Mission Projects. Awards for first place finishers in each age group are the Famous Easter Cakes provided by the Trinity Presbyterian Women.
Appearance By The Sheriffs Mounted Posse.
5 Questions with Creatives
Raylene Solis
Raylene Solis is a painter, multimedia artist and the Director of Youth Programming at First City Art Center. Her work is defined by vibrant bold colors and captivating depictions of human subjects. In addition to painting, she is currently working on producing a short animated film titled Sapwood.
Solis frequently showcases her work at art shows across the Pensacola area and has several pieces on display throughout the city, including her triptych Bathala’s Daughters at the Saenger Theatre, as well as at Shoreline Foods International Market & Deli and on residential properties on A Street. To keep up with her art journey throughout the city, follow @RayleneSolis on Instagram and YouTube, where she also showcases her creative process and finished pieces.
DTC: Tell me a little bit about yourself and your professional background.
RS : I was born here in Pensacola and grew up in the Pace/Milton area. I attended the University of West Florida and graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration. Throughout school, I took on commissions and sold artwork and jewelry at local markets. I’ve worked at a local print shop that specializes in fine art printing and at Sacred Heart as a newborn photographer. I’ve also been involved with First City Art Center for about 10 years now, starting as a high school volunteer with our summer camp to now being the Director of Youth Programming.
DTC: How did you get interested in creating?
RS: I became interested in art like everyone else does, as a kid coloring and drawing characters I knew or made up. I didn’t feel like stopping as I got older, partly because of the support I had around me to create and partly because of the support art gave back to me. Around 10 or 11 years old, when I realized how big of an impact art can have and the career possibilities, I knew I wanted to continue to pursue art. Throughout middle and high school, I was very interested in animation of all kinds, digital art and portrait photography. As I got more into my studies at the university, I ended up drifting away from my goal of working in the animation industry and was drawn more towards
studio painting and educational work, leading to my degrees in Studio Art and Art Administration.
DTC: Tell me about the inspiration or influence behind your work.
RS: Visual inspiration comes in a million different forms from all the art, nature, people and spaces I experience throughout my day-to-day. Seeing something abstracted beyond reality or highlighting a detail that gives a new perspective on reality has always held my attention longer. My color inspiration comes primarily from contemporary digital artists, visual developers in animation, oil painters and editorial photographers.
When it comes to concepts that influence my work, I get inspired by the relationship between small individual experiences and the collective experiences in a culture or society. There is always something to learn about within the human condition and how it relates to our environment. Like how social media has impacted the way we perceive ourselves and others, in several of my self-portraits I combine different edited photos that I use as references for a physical painting.
DTC: What medium(s) do you typically use in your artwork? Is there one that you gravitate towards more than the others?
RS: I’ve tried almost every medium there is at this point. Having worked as a youth art instructor for almost 10 years, I’m
constantly inspired by the ways other artists push materials. The medium I gravitate to depends on the project.
Currently, I’m focused on my oil painting process. There are so many techniques, effects and centuries of work to study. The physical properties of oil make it the most interesting to work with at the moment. I am slowly trying to find a process that will reduce petroleum and animal product-based materials in my practice by looking for alternative sealers and solvents.
I primarily create paintings in oil, watercolor and gouache. I have also created multi-media pieces such as the Anthropocene that included materials such as cardboard, packing paper, plastic shopping bags, oil painting and a found object. Digital art is where I’m able to explore color and composition more easily and where I do the most portrait and color studies.
DTC: Can you take me through your creative process and describe what goes into creating one of your pieces?
RS: Some pieces start as ambivalent feelings that get worked out on a screen or a page before developing into something more substantial. Other pieces are extremely vivid images in my head that may or may not stick around long enough to get pulled out of my head and into the world. Once they survive my doubts and forgetfulness, most of my more ambitious works go through a digital process where
by Nicole Willis
I develop any sketches, color schemes and composition, and, if any references are used, they’re edited. Ideally, these digital renderings should be printed; however, I often just set up my iPad and start painting. A loose sketch is created to establish values and then from there, it’s a matter of painting colorful shapes and adjusting their size and color until I feel it is completed. Painting has always been a game of reacting to what I’ve done and the process never looks the same each time.
Cabaret of Curiosities
by Morgan Cole
A Grand Celebration of the Arts
Pensacola Little Theatre’s (PLT) annual celebration of art is back for 2025 for an evening filled with all things magical, mystical and enchanting.
This year’s artful celebration, themed Cabaret of Curiosities, will revel in all things magical, mystical and enchanting as attendees experience a variety of artistic mediums and expressions showcasing art as the life of the party.
This upscale evening of black ties, luxurious gowns and avant-garde performances will return on April 12 at The Clark Family Cultural Center in downtown Pensacola.
Serving as PLT’s largest annual fundraiser, Cabaret puts the organization’s mission front and center to celebrate and showcase the diverse array of art created within the walls of The Center.
“The theatre’s Cabaret of Curiosities will revel in all things magical, mystical, enchanting and ethereal as attendees wind through inexplicable oddities portrayed through illusion, levitation and mythology by way of secret gardens and labyrinths,
ringmasters, cirques and charms that all leave much to the imagination,” CEO of The Clark Family Cultural Center Sid Williams-Heath said.
Cabaret’s vibrant playhouse theme will transform the theatre and surrounding blocks into an indoor and outdoor entertainment complex, perfectly fusing local talent and celebration to showcase art as the life of the party.
Partygoers will enjoy the art of discovery as they partake in an eclectic variety of local talent all jam-packed into one night. Guests can expect to experience a variety of art forms from ballet, drag performances and aerial dancing to singing, orchestral performances and much more.
“Attendees will feel like they’ve stepped into the greatest show as they wind their way through bands, DJs, flash mobs, aerialists, ballerinas, orchestras, singers, dancers, graffiti artists, drag performers, projectionists and beyond—transforming the theatre and surrounding block into an indoor and outdoor entertainment complex,” WilliamsHeath explained.
The event is a labor of love for those who have found a home at PLT, including its talented staff of volunteers. “It takes a village to host Cabaret. PLT is led by a staff of ten, and while they are the ten most brilliant souls I could ever have the pleasure of working with, we are so grateful for the help of our volunteers to make the organization possible—from the volunteer board to the creative and technical volunteers and our community partners,” Williams-Heath said.
Photos courtesy of Pensacola Little Theatre
Profits from this annual fundraiser allow PLT to continue to deliver diverse theatrical experiences to children and adults through performances, volunteer opportunities and educational outreach programs in our community, including a new rooftop performance venue at the top of The Center.
“Cabaret: Express Yourself was our first reveal of portions of The Center’s renovation in progress, and nearly 500 guests painted the town red with us in 2024. PLT raised $150,000 last year, setting a record for the fundraiser,” Williams-Heath said. “Now, having woven the mission of the organization into the very fabric of the fundraiser, Cabaret is projecting $160,000 in 2025, and we couldn’t make that happen without the support of the community.”
Attendees will encounter a series of vibrantly themed rooms, with artful performances and celebrations hosted in each of them throughout the evening. The Top, the Center’s new rooftop performance venue, will also make its first Cabaret appearance this year.
“We are proud to share the new rooftop performance venue with our sponsors as a thank-you for their generous support before the party even kicks off,” Williams-Heath said. “Cabaret event sponsors will be Under the Big Top on The Top of the Center starting at 6 pm.”
Those looking to revel in the magic of this year’s Cabaret of Curiosities can purchase single tickets for $150 online at pensacolalittletheatre.com/ the-center. Tickets include access to six open-bar venues, fantastic culinary provisions and live performances throughout the evening.
Event sponsorship opportunities are still available and include exclusive access to The Top of the Center during the event, an invite to the VIP
sponsor pre-party on April 4th, all Cabaret + Mezzanine Ticket incentives and sponsorship recognition throughout the fundraiser.
New for Cabaret this year are Cabaret + Mezzanine Tickets. Only 75 Cabaret + Mezzanine tickets are available, which offer attendees an enhanced experience. Cabaret + Mezzanine Tickets are $300 and include expedited entry, private mezzanine venue access, premium libations and surprise performances on the second and third floors of The Center.
“While we showcase and celebrate an array of artistic expression at Cabaret, my favorite art form that night is the art of discovery. Even guests who have been to the party throughout the last 20+ years know to expect the unexpected, that the experience is different and elevated every single year and there’s no road map,” Williams-Heath said. “We want you to be curious about what’s in the next room, we want you to explore the creative corners of the building and we want you to see firsthand how magical the art that we create throughout the year can be when it’s showcased all together that night.”
Experience the artistic magic at PLT’s Cabaret of Curiosities on April 12 at 7:30 pm at The Center located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola.
For tickets and complete event details, including event sponsorship opportunities, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com/cabaret and follow @PensacolaLittleTheatre on Facebook and Instagram.
If you’ve taken a stroll by Museum Plaza within the past few weeks, you may have spotted artists painting on a row of large, threedimensional cubes in front of the J. Earle Bowden Building. These installations are part of the annual CUBED art exhibition, hosted by the Pensacola Museum of Art (PMA).
CUBED is a public art installation featuring murals designed and painted by local artists. Connotated by the exhibition’s name, each mural is painted on the side of a large 8-foot-by-8-foot wooden cube. Each of the selected artists is invited to paint one of four panels on each of the four cubes located in Museum Plaza. With each of the panels showcasing a different mural, the exhibition offers a vibrant and creative display of art that harnesses the creative spirit of our local art community.
Established in 2017, CUBED was originally sponsored by Foo Foo Festival in collaboration with the PMA. Local artists Evan Levin and Ashton Howard came up with the idea for the exhibition after spending 70 days live painting a mural on Jefferson Street. The pair wanted to share more live painting experiences with the community, and thus CUBED was born.
The inaugural event took place November 2 through 12, 2017 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza in downtown Pensacola. During this time, the public was invited to watch the live painting process and engage with the artists as they painted their murals. After the live event, when the paintings were completed, the cubes were moved to their permanent location in Museum Plaza.
by Nicole Willis
By Lindsey Hampton and Sean Bush
Murals by Sasha Suey-Stoler & Carlotta Succi
By Michelle Luther By Yvonne Christine
“I love the interactions between the artists every year. Since everyone gets one side of a giant cube, they’re working closely with their mural neighbors for several days. Artists end up sharing different techniques and learning new things from the other artists, all while encouraging each other.”
“The original CUBED murals continued to be on display for the next three years, give or take a few that were repainted in 2019,” explained CUBED artist, PMA Preparator and Curatorial Coordinator, Jaime Diffee.
“In 2020, Hurricane Sally came through and all but one of the panels were destroyed. In 2021, after the COVID shutdowns and recovering from all the damage from the hurricane, the UWF Historic Trust wanted to reinvite guests back to the site with an open house that included the newest installation of CUBED. That version of CUBED is how we still run it today.”
CUBED has been hosted annually since 2017, except for in 2020 due to COVID-19. Since its inception, the exhibition has grown to become a permanent fixture of downtown Pensacola. .
CUBED 2025 marks the eighth installment of the rotating exhibit. This year’s exhibition officially kicked off with a day of live painting on March 1, when artists first began painting their murals. With the hustle and bustle of a busy Saturday in downtown Pensacola and Mardi Gras in full swing, the downtown area remained busy throughout the day, providing an excellent opportunity for audiences to observe the artists at work during the live painting event.
“Participating in CUBED 2025 was a phenomenal experience. Creating art can sometimes feel like a solitary endeavor, but it was such a joy to interact with people as I was painting,”
CUBED 2025 artist Kaitlin Rawley said. “Because Mardi Gras was happening at
the same time as the live painting event this year, I think there were more people who wouldn’t traditionally attend an art event who were able to stop by, walk through the cubes and hopefully enjoy the experience.”
If you missed the live painting day, there’s still plenty of time to check out the murals. Due to the scope of the project, many artists will continue to work on their panels in the coming weeks. Each artist spends hours over multiple days planning and painting their masterpieces.
“Every year we host the CUBED live painting event over a weekend, but I’ve never yet seen someone who could paint an 8-foot-by-8-foot mural within two days, so we offer an additional week or two for artists to work around their schedule and the erratic spring Florida weather,” Diffee explained.
The 2025 CUBED murals will stay up in Museum Plaza for about 50 weeks for the public to enjoy. Around the start of next year’s CUBED exhibition, the slate will be wiped clean and the cubes will be repainted white in preparation for the next set of murals.
This year, a total of 24 artists applied to participate in the annual exhibition. Of the 24 applications received, only 11 artists were selected to participate. This year’s participating artists include Carlotta Succi, Angelica Tilton, Sasha Suey-Stoler, Katie Romano, Lindsey Hampton, Sean Bush, Michelle Luther, Kaitlin Rawley, Yvonne Christine, Aidan Garcia and Jaime Diffee.
Each year, CUBED applicants are selected based on their proposals, and overall experience. “The judges for CUBED go through all the proposals, looking for artists that at least have some experience painting larger
work to do, especially if the artist isn’t used to it,” Diffee said. “We want CUBED to be a friendly introduction to mural painting, and we welcome all beginning artists to submit. There’s a lot less pressure in painting a mural when you know it’s only up for so long.”
CUBED provides artists with the temporary canvas to create large-scale works that they might not typically explore. Rather than following a specific theme, the exhibition allows artists the freedom to unleash their creativity and create any type of design. With each cube being different, the unique murals add to the city’s vibrant arts scene.
“Art is an integral ingredient that helps craft the culture of a city. I’m elated that Cubed allows local artists like myself to get our art outdoors where it can contribute to downtown Pensacola’s culture. Every year, more murals
By
personality to the city,” Rawley said.
The cubes are situated just a few feet apart from each other, allowing artists to spend time together, especially on the first day of painting. This environment provides artists with the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other, expanding their techniques.
“I love the interactions between the artists every year. Since everyone gets one side of a giant cube, they’re working closely with their mural neighbors for several days. Artists end up sharing different techniques and learning new things from the other artists, all while encouraging each other,” Diffee said.
Being founded on the concept of live painting, CUBED places a large emphasis on community. From the first day of the live painting event to the many weeks that the murals are on display in the downtown area, the exhibition fosters a shared experience between artists and the public.
“I love the supportive public reactions while the artists are out there painting. The general feedback we receive is thankfulness for the art that artists are providing. The local community seems excited to see what new things are going to be painted. The location of the cubes is near the Pensacola Children’s Museum, so there are always younger kids who get excited for the murals every year,” Diffee said.
CUBED 2025 is currently on display in Museum Plaza at 300 S. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information on the exhibition and to learn more about upcoming events and exhibits at the PMA, visit pensacolamuseum.org/arts/public-art.
For updates and to stay connected with PMA, follow @pensacolamuseum on Instagram and Facebook.
Kaitlin Rawley
By Jaime Diffee
Historic Pensacola
Saenger Theatre to Celebrate 100th Birthday
Originally opened in April of 1925 as a vaudeville hall, the Saenger was designed by architect Emile Weil in the style known as Spanish Baroque architecture. Weil, known for designing theaters in Mobile, Alabama, as well as New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana, selected this style due to the extensive Spanish history of the Pensacola area.
Constructed by C.H. Turner Company, the total cost to build the theatre was around $500,000. No other theatre could rival her luxurious seats and grand movie hall, which boasted ornate plasterwork, a grand chandelier and a stunning mural on the ceiling.
The Pensacola Saenger Theatre has been called the Grand Dame of Palafox, but the historic theatre is much more than a Great Lady; she is a survivor.
by Morgan Cole
Photos courtesy of Michael Duncan
“The official opening date of the theatre was Thursday, April 2, 1925, where Lady Saenger opened to great fanfare with the showing of Cecil B. DeMille’s cinematic masterpiece, The Ten Commandments,” Friends of the Saenger President Jonathan Thompson said.
In the early years, the Saenger hosted a colorful array of vaudeville-style road shows, silent movie classics and Broadway shows. Local entertainers were also invited to perform on the elite Saenger stage.
In 1940, Cinemascope (a new widescreen filmmaking process developed by 20th Century Fox) was introduced and movies reigned as a staple of entertainment in Pensacola.
During World War II, the theater stayed open around the clock so that local citizens could watch newsreels at any time of day. This was especially important for military personnel serving at nearby NAS. Following the war, the Saenger remained a vibrant movie hall for many years.
In 1975, as downtown areas became largely abandoned in favor of drive-ins and suburban malls, the Saenger sadly suffered from a lack of interest. The aging theatre eventually fell into disrepair and was forced to close its doors; however, it was not forgotten.
The following year, ABC Southeastern Theatres donated the Saenger to the City of Pensacola but due to a lack of government funds, the city voted to demolish the building to utilize the property for a parking lot.
A group of locals, who would eventually become known as the Friends of the Saenger (FOS), rallied local officials to restore the historic Saenger Theatre to serve as a premier performing arts center for Northwest Florida.
Their hard work paid off, and the official grand re-opening of the Saenger was held in 1981 alongside a special performance by well-renowned jazz ensemble, the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The newly renovated theatre provided a home that served as a base for the development of Pensacola’s now thriving arts community.
In 1995, the FOS also spearheaded fundraising efforts for the addition of the Grand Lobby at the theatre’s Palafox entrance. This renovation also included doubling the size of the existing lobby space, providing better accommodations for persons with disabilities and restoring the lobby to the grand scale of its historic past.
“The new lobby in 1995 was a big deal because prior to this, there was only a small tunnel-like walkway between the street and the main house of the Saenger, therefore we could not make a profit by providing any sort of concessions. There was also no place for patrons to gather except out on the street,” said FOS President Emeritus and Executive Board Member Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks.
As the arts flourished in Pensacola, performance groups and audiences realized the shortcomings of turning a 1925 vaudeville hall into a major performing arts venue. So, in 2009, the theatre underwent another massive renovation to transform to better meet the needs of the community.
Bringing the grandeur of the historic theatre back to life, this $15 million renovation included the restoration of the original paint and decor. “Our largest project between 2007 and 2009 restored her to her original splendor, complete with historical paintings, new seats, an orchestra shell, new acoustics and the addition of more than 30,000 square feet of dressing rooms and administrative offices, as well as multi-use rooms,” Weeks said.
The theatre also houses an original Robert Morton theatre pipe organ, which was installed in 1925. The FOS also worked to raise funds to support the restoration of the historic pipe organ, which has been fully restored to showcase its original glory.
“Our efforts to repair and expand the Great Saenger Pipe Organ are ongoing. Around 2012, the FOS raised nearly $400,000 to restore the existing organ sections (many of which were damaged during Hurricane Ivan) to make the instrument playable again. As funding becomes available, we continue to add ranks of pipes and expand the organ’s capacity in the south chamber of the theatre,” Thompson explained.
The FOS kicked off this multi-year fundraising initiative in mid-2010, raising funds for a majority of the restoration through grants and private donations.
“Additional pipe bills and whistles will continue to be added as we raise more money for the project. With the community’s help, we would like to continue gifting this to Lady Saenger as a birthday gift from us. We are currently in talks with an organ restoration company to determine how much more we need to raise to complete the organ,” Weeks said.
Today, the FOS remain dedicated to keeping the theatre alive through their ongoing efforts to restore and maintain the historic venue by raising funds for projects like production equipment upgrades, the pipe organ restoration and advocacy efforts to help ensure the “Grand Dame of Palafox” continues to serve as the premier entertainment venue in Pensacola for generations to come.
With nine active board members and a membership base of nearly 100 individuals, the FOS continues to serve as an invaluable resource to the theatre.
The Pensacola Saenger Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 1975.
As of 2017, the Saenger Theatre has been fully restored and is counted among some of the best in the country. Numerous world-class artists and performers have graced the old wooden stage, including greats like Itzhak Perlman, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Burl Ives, George Carlin, Robin Williams and Ziggy Marley.
Today, the Great Dame of Palafox continues to serve as a thriving performing arts venue, bringing audiences countless shows, concerts, operas, ballets and most of all, memories.
“As we celebrate 100 years with Pensacola’s showplace, the Lady Saenger and Great Dame of Palafox, we encourage the entire community to join in the festivities. For people who have been to the Saenger one time, or many times, and especially to those who have never had a chance to experience the first-hand opulence that is available in downtown Pensacola, we invite you to come out and be a part of the fun,” Thompson said.
On April 2, the Pensacola Saenger Theatre will celebrate its 100th birthday. In recognition of this momentous occasion, the FOS, Saenger management and the City of Pensacola have partnered to host a series of 100th-anniversary events for the community.
Individuals and families of all ages are invited to join in the celebration on April 2 for the 100th Anniversary Recognition event at the theatre.
The Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, Mayor D.C. Reeves and the FOS will kick off the anniversary event with a ribbon cutting at noon. Following the ribbon cutting, individuals are invited to gather in the theatre’s main lobby to enjoy birthday cake.
Saenger ushers and volunteers will also offer guided tours of the theatre from 1 to 5 pm. The anniversary event will conclude at 6 pm with a special screening of the silent movie classic The Ten Commandments—the first movie played on the Saenger’s silver screen on opening day in 1925.
The celebration will continue on April 6 with the 100th Birthday Street Party event outside of the theatre. From noon to 6 pm, portions of Palafox and Intendencia streets will be closed to accommodate a host of birthday festivities for the entire community to enjoy.
The street party will feature special performances by local arts organizations and dance groups, branded merchandise, concessions, giveaways, local food truck vendors, fire eaters, balloon artists and more. There will also be two screenings of the 1925 silent movie classic, Phantom of the Opera at 4 and 7 pm. Professional pipe organist Alex Gartner will introduce each screening with a special demonstration on the historic Saenger Pipe Organ. Tickets are free and can be claimed at the Saenger Box Office in advance or at the door while supplies last.
The 100th Anniversary Recognition event and Birthday Street Party are both free and open to the public.
“Everyone loves the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, and we encourage the community to come out and join us on April 6 for the big street party, theatre tours, movie showings, organ playing and much more. It’s all to celebrate Lady Saenger’s 100th year in downtown Pensacola,” Weeks said.
For more information on the upcoming birthday celebration events, including guided theatre tours and movie screenings, visit pensacolasaenger. com. To donate and learn more about getting involved with the FOS, visit pensacolasaenger.com/fos.
Celebrating
the Endangered Rice’s Whale
By Chloe Cadenhead
Get ready to make a splash at this year’s Gulf Coast Whale Festival at Casino Beach Pavilion.
On April 12, local nonprofit Healthy Gulf will host a full day of fun for the entire family devoted to educating people about the marine life living in our local waters, specifically the rare and critically endangered Rice’s Whale.
“Locals are already quite familiar with marine life like manatees and sea turtles that swim in our waters,” said Healthy Gulf Florida/Alabama Organizer Christian Wagley. “We’re using art, music, educational activities and more to create a similar level of awareness around the many species of whales that swim off our shores.”
In the summer months, many whale species make the journey to the Gulf of Mexico to take advantage of the warm waters and abundant supply of food. Some of the most common species that visit our waters include the blue whale, humpback whale, sperm whale, killer whale and the whale-like giant fish, the whale shark.
While many whales can be found swimming in and traveling through our waters, only one whale species resides in the Gulf year-round: the Rice’s Whale. This 40-foot-long species can only be found in the Gulf of Mexico, with no documented populations found anywhere else in the world. Originally thought to be a subspecies of the Bryde’s Whale, the Rice’s Whale only became recognized as a distinct species in 2021.
Not only are Rice’s Whales beautiful animals, but they are incredibly vital to the marine ecosystem. As the only great whale permanently residing in U.S. waters year-round, these gentle giants are responsible for distributing nutrients from hundreds of meters below the surface to other sea life such as marlin, tuna and wahoo.
Photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Whale Festival
Since the 2010 BP oil spill caused a 22 percent decline in their population, the remaining Rice’s Whales have been steadily declining. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lists the greatest threats to the whales as vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, energy exploration, ingestion of marine debris, proposed aquaculture activities, oil spills and noise from industrial activities such as oil drilling and ship traffic. Estimated to have only about 50 left in the population, the Rice’s Whale is one of the most endangered whale species on the planet.
Local nonprofit Healthy Gulf is dedicated to using education to reverse the exploitation of the Gulf’s natural resources. Through this annual community event, Healthy Gulf aims to bring awareness to the diverse marine life in the Gulf of Mexico in a fun and family-friendly environment. The inaugural Gulf Coast Whale Festival was held in 2024 and was attended by nearly 1,000 individuals who enjoyed a fun-filled day of educational activities, live music and games.
This year’s festival will include a variety of educational exhibits and activities designed to showcase the story of Gulf marine life. The event will also feature a special puppet parade led by local artists, as well as local vendors and live music performances. Local singer-songwriter Bob Teague will debut his song Ode to the Rice’s Whale at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach.
An exciting new addition to this year’s Gulf Coast Whale Festival is a lifesized inflatable Rice’s Whale, courtesy of the students at the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station. These students will use their continued years of Gulf marine research to help lead educational activities at the festival.
“My students are really excited to share our work on marine mammals, especially Rice’s Whales,” Navarre Beach Marine Science Station Director Charlene Mauro said. “We’ll have an inflatable whale to visit and hands-on activities to make it fun and informative.”
For complete details on the Gulf Coast Whale Festival and to learn more about Rice’s Whales, visit healthygulf.org and follow @healthygulf on Instagram and Facebook.
The 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Whale Festival will be held April 12 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Casino Beach Pavilion located at 20 Casino Beach Boardwalk on Pensacola Beach. The festival is free to attend, so bring the whole family for a whale of a good time!
Photo courtesy of NOAA
APRIL COMMUNITY EVENTS
April Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium
For more information and tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola
April 4 at 6:05 pm - Biloxi
Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos
April 5 at 6:05 pm - Biloxi
Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos
April 6 at 1:05 pm - Biloxi
Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos
April 8 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
April 9 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
April 10 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
April 11 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
April 12 at 6:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
April 13 at 1:05 pm - Montgomery
Biscuits vs Blue Wahoos
April 22 at 6:05 pm - Knoxville
Smokies vs Blue Wahoos
April 23 at 6:05 pm - Knoxville
Smokies vs Blue Wahoos
April 24 at 6:05 pm - Knoxville
Smokies vs Blue Wahoos
April 25 at 6:05 pm - Knoxville
Smokies vs Blue Wahoos
April 26 at 6:05 pm - Knoxville
Smokies vs Blue Wahoos
April 27 at 1:05 pm - Knoxville
Smokies vs Blue Wahoos
Blue Angels Practice Dates
. . . . . . . April 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30
The world-famous Blue Angels can be seen practicing over the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola on select days throughout the year. Watch them soar and visit the museum for free. The gates will open at 9:30 am. The practice flight demonstrations can also be viewed outside of NAS Pensacola including Fort Pickens, boat cruises, and various points throughout downtown. The Blue Angels will take off around 10:30 am and the practices last for about 55 minutes. The National Naval Aviation Museum is located at 1750 Radford Blvd. in Pensacola. Practice schedules are subject to change. For more information, visit navalaviationmuseum.org/blueangels.
5th Anniversary Weird Beer Festival
April 5
Celebrate Coastal County Brewing Company’s 5th Anniversary at their Weird Beer Festival! Get ready for a craft beer experience like you’ve never seen before—where the taps will be
flowing withover 100 unique specialty brews, each specially crafted for this special occasion. Not only will the Beer Garden be lined with Coastal County Brewing stations, but also exclusive special flavors offered by neighboring local breweries. Beyond the Brews, the event will also feature live local music, mouthwatering smashburgers, bounce houses, games for all ages and more. General admission, VIP tickets and singular tasting tickets will all be available. The party runs from 2 to 5 pm. Coastal County Brewing is located at 3041 E. Olive Rd. in Pensacola. For tickets and more information, visit coastalcountybrewing.com/events.
15th Annual Navy Federal 5k
April 5
Whether you run or walk, the public is invited to participate in the 2025 Navy Federal 5K. Enjoy beautiful downtown Pensacola during this annual 5k. Participation in this event benefits the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, which funds projects and programs, including Grants for Excellence and employee appreciation programs. This event will also benefit the Santa Rosa Education Foundation. Their mission is to enhance and raise awareness of public education. Registration will remain open until the start of the race. Registration is required for all participants and includes a race shirt. To register or learn more, visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/Pensacola/ NavyFederalCreditUnion5K.
Marcus King Band Goes to School: The Tour
DeLuna’s Open Water Swim
.April 11-12
Come on out to Pensacola Beach for the annual DeLuna’s Open Water Swim. With .6, 1.2 and 2.4 mile swim options, you can challenge your skill and speed. As legend has it.... Don Tristan de Luna, a Spanish conquistador of the 16th century who led an ill-fated expedition to the Pensacola area in 1559, is credited as America’s first settlement. A scroll of de Luna’s was recently discovered in the sand of Pensacola Beach outlining a competitive open water swim they were planning. Unfortunately, a hurricane changed the course of Pensacola’s history, wiping out the settlement, thus never allowing the swim to take place. This event is an effort to continue what de Luna started. Check-in is on April 11 and the race begins the following morning. For the event timeline and more information, visit pensacolasports.org/delunasswim.
Fred Levin Way Fest
April 8
Marcus King is a guitar phenom, innovative singer-songwriter and the frontman of The Marcus King Band. All five members of the band—drummer Jack Ryan, bass player Stephen Campbell, trumpeter and trombonist Justin Johnson, sax player Dean Mitchell and the keyboard player—create a blistering, yet soulful unit that has honed their synergy through endless touring. Joined by special guests Dogpark, The Marcus King Band is now set to take the stage of the Pensacola Saenger Theatre, located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Cinemas in the Sand
. . April 13
The Fred Levin Way Fest is an annual community event that supports families and individuals in need. This free event will feature food, games, music, art, prizes and, most importantly, 60+ nonprofit organizations. These organizations will distribute information on the services they offer, as well as gift essential items to families in need. From 11 am to 3 pm, enjoy an afternoon of fun in the sun and support your community at Fred Levin Way Fest. The event is hosted in Historic Downtown Pensacola’s Museum Plaza, located at 300 S. Palafox St. For more information, visit fredlevinfest.com.
Odd Colony’s Spring Market
April 13
Sip on fresh, locally brewed craft beer while browsing unique local finds at Odd Colony Brewing Company’s annual Spring Market. Shop from a variety of vendors featuring vintage clothing, handmade goods, unique crafts, and more. The market will run from 12 to 4 pm on April 13. Vendors will be announced soon. Odd Colony Brewing Company is located at 260 N. Palafox St. in downtown Pensacola. For more information, visit facebook.com/oddcolony.
Earth Day Pensacola
April 11
The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) will be hosting “Cinemas in the Sand,” free familyfriendly movie nights. Held at the Gulfside Pavilion on Casino Beach, Cinemas in the Sand allows families to come together and enjoy the beautiful beach and a wholesome movie. Get out your beach chairs, pack the cooler and head out to the beach for some family fun. On April 11, the SRIA will be showing The Parent Trap. The movie will begin playing at sunset on a giant inflatable outdoor movie screen. For more information visit visitpensacolabeach.com.
. April 19
Celebrate Mother Nature with Earth Day Pensacola! Pensacola’s annual Earth Day festival is back at Bayview Park on from 10 am to 4 pm. The event highlights sustainable living through a fun day of environmental education, art, live music, locally-grown food, eco-friendly products and interactive learning activities. Bayview Park is located at 2001 E. Lloyd St. in Pensacola. Vendor and sponsorship spots are available. For more information, visit earthdaypensacola.com or facebook.com/earthdaypensacola.
April 25, 26 & 27
Get your Cajun on at the Pensacola Crawfish Festival! The festival features thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish and other Cajun fare including boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, gumbo and more! Traditional festival options such as hot dogs, po’boys, and plenty of fried desserts will also be available. Apart from delicious bites, attendees will also enjoy live music, arts and crafts vendors, a crawfish eating contest, and more. The festival will take over Seville Square and Fountain Park in downtown Pensacola. Daily admission is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. The admissions gates are located on Government Street (across from Hub Stacey’s) and Zaragoza Street (across from Pensacola Bay Brewery). For more information, visit fiestapensacola.org/crawfish-festival.
John Crist: Jokes for Humans
April 27
John Crist is one of today’s fast-rising stand-up comedians, with more than one billion video views and sold-out shows from coast to coast. In 2019, Crist made Pollstar’s Top 100 Global Tours list with over 197,000 tickets sold. He has performed all over the world, and in 2021 began his multi-city national theater tour called Fresh Cuts. In 2022, John released his second special What are We Doing on YouTube and released his best-selling book Delete That in the fall. John also has a weekly podcast called Net Positive. Now, Crist is bringing his Jokes for Humans tour to Pensacola, performing two shows at the Saenger Theatre on April 27. Join Crist at 3 or 7 pm for an evening of laughter. The Saenger Theatre is located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Shakey Graves: And The War Came10th Anniversary Tour at Vinyl
. .April 30
Across his career, Shakey Graves—the performance moniker of Texas-born Alejandro Rose-Garcia—has intentionally created thrilling musical adventures tailored to each fan: burning CDs and putting them in personalized decorated bags; building intricate scavenger hunts that send fans in search of unique tapes; and Bandcamp-exclusive releases. In 2024 RoseGarcia celebrated the ten year anniversary of his And The War Came album with a special release featuring never before heard demos and b-sides from the recording process. Now, Rose-Garcia is bringing his alternative indie sound to Vinyl Music Hall in downtown Pensacola. $1 per every ticket sold to the show supports the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund which supports career musicians, road crew and anyone who makes the majority of their income in the music business. Doors open at 6 pm and the show begins at 7 pm. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.
Pensacola Crawfish Festival
MILITARYMATTERS
AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION
NATTC SAILOR RECEIVES 2025 MARGARET FLOWERS OUTSTANDING MILITARY VOLUNTEER AWARD
Naval
Aircrewman (Operator) (AW) 1st Class
Austin Reneau received the 2025 Margaret Flowers Outstanding Military Volunteer Award during the annual Pensacola Navy League’s Military Recognition Day on February 27 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Reneau, stationed at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC), devoted more than 200 hours to various volunteer initiatives in the Pensacola area.
Pensacola Navy League Board of Directors member Rear Adm. (Ret.) Don Quinn presented the award to Reneau and recognized nominees from other Pensacola-area commands. Reneau was selected for his extensive dedication to community service and leadership in volunteerism.
He has devoted more than 200 hours to various volunteer initiatives in the Pensacola area. His service included providing support to local hospice centers, where he assisted patients and families navigating endof-life care and a Crisis Text Line Operator, where he responded to over 140 cases and offered critical support to individuals in distress.
Reneau also organized 120 sailors for the AdoptA-Highway program, contributing 63 hours to environmental clean-up efforts along Pensacola’s Gulf Beach Highway. Additionally, he trained 16 individuals in lifesaving skills as a CPR and Basic Life Support instructor.
The Pensacola Navy League’s Military Recognition Day brought together military personnel, local officials and community leaders to honor service members’ contributions. The event included speeches and proclamations from Escambia and Santa Rosa county representatives, who highlighted the importance of military volunteerism. WEAR-TV 3 sports anchor Dan Shugart served as master of ceremonies, with businessman and philanthropist Sandy Sansing delivering the keynote address.
Named for longtime Navy civil servant Margaret Flowers, the award recognizes service members who embody exceptional community service.
PHOTO BY GARRETT DIPUMA
STORY BY ENSIGN CLARABELLE KNYZHOV, NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA
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