Downtown Crowd, Oct. 2018

OCTOBER ‘18

THE ICE FLYERS RETURN TO RECLAIM THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

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DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Downtown Crowd | October 2018

Editor’s Letter

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Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Will Isern

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For all that he has already done to reshape the face of downtown Pensacola, Quint Studer’s most important work lies ahead.

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contents 6 Downtown Parking

9 The Perfect Mile 11 Instagrammable Downtown 12 Ice Flyers 15 Barktoberfest 17 Greekfest 19 Music Reviews 21 Calendar

Art Director Guy Stevens

WILL ISERN EDITOR

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The Pensacola City Council last month voted to give Studer Properties 18 months to develop a master plan for the remaining parcels at the Community Maritime Park. The plan that Studer develops, and the effectiveness with which it is implemented, will have more impact on the future growth of downtown than anything Studer has done thus far. That’s saying a lot.

When city voters approved the plan for the Maritime Park in 2006, we expected much more than what exists today. That’s not to say that the park has not been transformational and a huge boon to all of downtown, but the vision that sold us on the park has not been realized.

Once upon a time, there was going to be maritime museum, a conference center, a marina – even a lighthouse. Perhaps some of the ideas we had in 2006 don’t make as much sense in 2018, but I think we can all agree that the park must become more parking lots and office buildings.

It’s a shame that proposals for the YMCA and UWF Center for Entrepreneurship were stifled. The park’s first use must be for the public and such proposals would have been a step in the right direction.

There is no reason to doubt that Studer will deliver anything less than a world-class vision.

His track record downtown is impeccable. The Southtowne apartments are among the best things to happen to downtown in any of our lifetimes, and Studer has been thus far been saying the right things. He’s promised the park plan will incorporate public access to the waterfront, connect with Bruce Beach to the west and the former ECUA property – which he owns – to the north. A singular vision for that whole area is critical, and it’s encouraging to hear that Studer recognizes it.

I talked to Andrew Rothdefer, president of Studer Properties, about the project during the last week of September. He said they’re engaging urban planning experts, market study firms and the like to help shape the plan.

He said the goal is to develop a “rule book” by which potential developers can be engaged and guided. He said he wants to develop a modern, connected and walkable community for the westside of downtown. The area deserves nothing less.

It may be a year or more before we see the new plan. Certainly it’s worth the time to give careful consideration to how we should develop what is the last and most valuable piece of downtown real estate. The city has made the right choice by giving Studer the chance to offer his vision.

Graphic Design Bara’ah Jaraiseh Editorial Assistant Kaitlyn Peacock Contributing Writers Gina Castro Haley Weaver Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode Paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange Geneva@ballingerpublishing.com Deadline for space and information is the 15th of the month prior to publication.

For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433-1166 · Fax: 435-9174 DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing.

Offices located at 314 N Spring St., Ste. A, Pensacola Florida 32501 Published by Ballinger Publishing

Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. All Right Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher.

Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/ or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2018

See you in

Ma at Palafox &

Make plans to join us in October for cooking classes, a quick lunch, wine & cheese, coffee, or gourmet gift shopping.

It’s all happening in Downtown Pensacola.

OCTOBER COOKING CLASSES

PARTIES MEETINGS RECEPTIONS

Oct. 10

Oct. 12

Oct. 15

Hands-on Cooking Class

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6pm-8pm • $64.50

6pm-8pm • $64.50

6pm-8pm • $64.50

Oct. 17

Oct. 19

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(All Ages Welcome)

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“CREATURES FROM THE DEEP” HALLOWEEN

KIDS HALLOWEEN GALLERY NIGHT

6pm-8pm • $64.50

6pm-8pm • $37.63

SHOWERS PRIVATE COOKING CLASSES GIRLS’ NIGHT DATE NIGHT

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Reservations requested 24 hours in advance and all reservations include a complimentary glass of wine or beer. refunds available only with 48-hour notice.

Classes that do not meet a minimum of 10 will be rescheduled and registration fees refunded immediately.

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407 S. Palafox St.

16 West Main St.

A WORD FROM LISSA DEES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT BOARD Big changes taking place following DIB’s decision to bring parking management in-house in September International PARK(ing) Day began with a single parking space in San Francisco, Calif. in 2005 and now is celebrated around the world, a reminder of the importance of public green space and the role of citizens in conceiving, building and improving the local urban environment.

Last week during Gallery Night, we hosted an International PARK(ing) Day celebration of our own and invited seven local teams to transform ordinary parking spots into pop-up “parklets.” We loved seeing the creativity of our local community—from Zarzaur Law’s zen garden and Winterfest’s miniature train depot to Truth for Youth’s kids’ games and Montessori School of Pensacola’s International Peace Day display.

Congratulations to Zarzaur Law, for winning the people’s choice award!

Upgrading the parking system Parking is a top priority for the DIB. As our district becomes more vibrant and successful, addressing parking challenges is a constant focus, and we are launching major improvements that will help us provide a more convenient, intuitive parking experience. Thirty broken and obsolete parking meters are being upgraded to modern standards. An efficient, more accurate “pay-by-plate” system is being introduced. And soon you won’t need to walk back to your car to put a parking receipt on your dash. We are also vetting a shortlist of top parking app providers to make sure we have the best choice for Pensacola. We’ll provide updates on how these changes may impact the public early and often.

Be sure to take a photo of your license plate or write your tag number down, as you will need it to park downtown starting Oct. 20.

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Free parking, two-hour limits Did you know that free parking is available just off Main St. in the Harborview On the Bay parking garage at W. Cedar and S. Baylen? Free on-street parking is also available along Tarragona St. between Garden and Government; however, a two-hour free parking limit is now in effect—to improve traffic flow and ensure that everyone has equal access to free parking that’s not tied up for hours on end. During a public awareness period that ends Oct. 24, we will issue “gentle reminders” with warning tickets for vehicles parked longer than two hours. From Oct. 25Nov. 25, we’ll issue additional warnings (i.e. the second time a vehicle overstays, a $10 citation will be written.) The 2-hour parking limit will be fully in effect beginning Nov. 25.

Enhanced security inside Jefferson St. Garage Along with completing the installation of brighter, safer LED lights throughout Jefferson St. Garage, we are pleased to announce that starting this month, there’s a new ambassador patrolling the garage at night to improve security and help ensure that you enjoy a pleasant and safe experience downtown. His name is Roderick and you’ll be able to spot him with his blue DIB shirt!

How are we doing?

As you may have heard, there is no longer an out-of-state vendor managing the downtown parking system. We’ve felt your pain through the parking challenges of late, and we’ve listened and acted. In September, the DIB took sole responsibility for downtown parking and as you can see we’re aggressively tackling issues…but we still have work to do. Your DIB has a stake in the success of downtown parking because we live, work and play here too. Please let us know how we’re doing, and if you’d like to stay informed, please follow us on social media and sign up for our e-newsletter at downtownpensacola.com.

Downtown Parking Debacle Nears Resolution

By Will Isern

T

he downtown-parking saga that riled business owners and baffled visitors is nearing an end, but some changes will remain in place.

Following months of public backlash, The Downtown Improvement Board has scrapped its contract with Premium Parking and taken management of downtown parking back in-house. The decision could save the DIB as much as $150,000 a year to be reinvested in beautification and other projects.

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The rollout of the new system under Premium Parking was troubled from the start. With virtually no communication, a new pay-by-plate system was implemented in March, replacing the old ticket kiosks and introducing extended hours of enforcement and increased rates. Benefits included the ability to pay by text or via a smartphone app, but downtown business owners complained that the changes were too confusing and cumbersome for many of their patrons, and worried that visitors would rather avoid downtown altogether than contend with the new parking system.

Perhaps the most vocal critic during the transition was Kevin Leahman, co-owner

with his wife of the Fosko Coffee Barre and Pure Barre exercise studio. Leahman erected signs facing the Jefferson Street parking garage to encourage the public to speak out against the changes.

tickets and a “culture of enforcement” only exacerbated the problems. The board’s former executive director Curt Morse resigned his position at the height of the public backlash.

“I never really had a problem going to a more technology-based system,” Leahman said. “What really got me involved was I felt like they were overcharging for parking. They were charging $3 for parking at the Jefferson Street garage and they regularly had 125 empty spaces … The second thing was that that the DIB had no outreach to local citizens, they had no process.”

Following Morse’s resignation, longtime assistant executive director Lissa Dees took over as executive director and immediately began a review of the board’s contract with Premium Parking.

Erroneous signage, wrongfully issued

“What we found when we looked at the financials was that we were paying for was the safety net of saying we had a parking management company, and there was really no reason why we needed that,” Dees said.

“

We’re going to reinvest those dollars back into parking and into our community.”

-Lissa Dees

Following Dees’ recommendation, the DIB voted in August to end its management contract with Premium Parking.

“If someone had questions about parking or got a citation, they still came to our office, so there was really no need for us to continue to pay those fees to say that we had a parking management company,” Dees said. “We’re going to reinvest those dollars back into parking and into our community.”

Premium Parking is not entirely out of the picture. The DIB decided in early September to keep the text-to-pay and smartphone app systems in place, and is keeping Premium Parking on a monthby-month basis to provide those services until they work out a deal with a new company. Negotiations are underway with a provider called Passport based out of Charlotte, N.C..

that person doesn’t know where to park, we’re going to have that conversation and try to help them,” Dees said. “There are certain guidelines we ask you stay in when parking downtown, but it’s Southern hospitality first and foremost.”

The upshot for those trying to park downtown is that paid parking is enforced from 8 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday. You can still use the text-to-pay system and smartphone app. Those who would rather not use those options can still pay at sidewalk kiosks. And if you still find the whole thing too confusing, the DIB is planning to host public workshops to explain the system to anyone who’d like a fuller explanation.

Meanwhile Leahman has, somewhat reluctantly, accepted a position on the DIB’s parking committee. He hopes to improve the system from the inside.

Dees also said that Premium’s red parking signs that have sprung up across downtown will be changed to a more friendly color, and that the DIB will add security to the Jefferson Street parking garage on weekends.

“I think we need to go to a cheaper software provider and then I think it’s to let parking marinate for a while while we do some common sense data collection, slow it down and a make some intelligent decisions,” Leahman said.

Going forward, Dees said, the DIB will move away from a “culture of enforcement” to a more hospitable approach.

Despite his frustrations over the last six months, Leahman said he can see light at the end of the tunnel.

“What I have instructed to everyone here is that we are Southern hospitality first.

Writing citations is the last step. If we see a person struggling at the meter, or if

“I think the DIB is going slower, I think they’re treading more lightly and I think they’re trying to get more input before they make these changes,” he said.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7

20, 26, 27

“ANIMALES PROTECTORES DEL CHAMÁN,” ROLDÁN PINEDO, 37 X 34 IN., ACRYLIC ON CLOTH, 2009

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AUG 17 – OCT 21 407 S. JEFFERSON ST. PENSACOLA, FL 32502 850.432.6247 pensacolamuseum.org

ON VIEW IN THE LEWIS BEAR FAMILY GALLERY AND THE GREENHUT CONSTRUCTION CO. GALLERY MUSEUM HOURS: TUES – THURS 10AM to 5PM FRI – SAT 10AM to 7PM / SUN 12PM to 4PM

P

BEER!

erfect Plain Brewing Company has teamed up with Vinyl Music Hall to create the first-ever Perfect Mile, presented by Breakthru Beverage Florida and John Hodgdon: Blue Water Wealth Strategies.

One part “beer mile” race, one part outdoor block party and live concert, the first-ever Perfect Mile will be held on Oct. 6 from 10 am to 3 pm. The most unique part about this event is its location: PPBC and Vinyl have shut down Garden Street between Palafox and Tarragona – right between the PPBC and Vinyl locations – to run the race and keep the party going all in one prime location.

“It’s not only a run it’s an all day festival,” said Perfect Plain co-founder D.C. Reeves. “What makes us different is that we are going to have truly a festival atmosphere. We are shutting down Garden Street, Palafox and Tarragona.

We are doing the run right there on Garden Street. We don’t think anyone that we know of has shut down a state road like that to do an event. The second unique thing is that we are actually doing it as a relay run. We wanted it to be like more of a fun festival vibe. We thought is there a better way to achieve this than by doing teams? It’ll become a huge street party by about noon. So I think it is a very different event not only for beer mile but for Pensacola.”

B l o c k pa r t y C o m i n g O c t. 6

will be given to the relay teams with the best costumes and the best team Instagram post.

The ultimate prize is the team with the Most Spirit.

The block party and outdoor concert begins at noon and runs until 3 pm. Two nationally touring bands will play the live outdoor concert following the race. New Orleansbased Sabotage, an energetic Beastie Boys tribute band will join Appetite for Destruction, a decorated Guns & Roses tribute band.

Admission to the concert is free.

Food trucks will be on site to feed all your hunger needs – including Nomadic Eats and Cooks Soul Food.

Race Registration is available at www. perfectplainbeermile.com. Limited space is available.

Reeves said he hopes to make Perfect Mile an annual event.

“Our goal is to have this every year,” he said. “We know this is our first time and we are having to really get the word out just like any first time event to let everyone know about it. So maybe it ends up falling on a different week or a different month. But we hope this will be the first for many more Perfect Mile events. We want this to be a downtown festival in the middle of a street that nobody has ever thrown a party on before.”

The Perfect Mile race will be run in relay teams of either two ($69 per team) or four ($119 per team). Each team will complete four, quartermile laps while drinking a beer between each lap. The two-person team members will run two laps each while the four-person teams will all each get one lap. The event is designed to capture the spirit of a Beer Mile while giving participants – serious runners and beer lovers alike – a memorable day of fun.

Prizes will be awarded to the three fastest teams, and the fastest runner from each heat will compete for best all-around female and all-around male. More importantly, prizes DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9

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his may not come as a surprise, but Pensacola is beautiful. Tourists come to Pensacola all year to soak in all of its beauty. Practically every corner in downtown Pensacola calls for a photo op from the view of the Pensacola Bay to the French Quarter style balconies to the street art. Downtown Pensacola was made for Instagram, but as locals, we sometimes forget just how lucky we are to live in the perfect vacation spot.

So, take a break and be a tourist in your own town. Here are our five favorite Instagrammable spots downtown.

By: Gina Castro Photos: Dylan Molina Design: Bara’ah Jaraiseh

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 11

THE BOYS ARE BACK

FLYERS WILL CHASE TITLE UNDER CHAMPIONSHIP COACH

By Will Isern

I

f it were ever improbable that a minor league hockey team would enjoy wide support in the Florida panhandle, the Pensacola Ice Flyers have long since laid any doubts to rest.

The Flyers draw roughly 4,000 fans to the Pensacola Bay Center for each home game, and more than 100,000 over the course of a season. With the 20182019 season set to begin in late October and a familiar face back behind home bench, the Flyers will look to recapture the magic of a few years ago and bring home the President’s Cup. The Flyers first home game is set for Oct. 20 against the Birmingham Bulls. Tickets will be just $5. It will be the first time the Flyers have offered a $5 ticket night to open the season.

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Following a 33-16 record last season, Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris parted ways with former coach Jeff Bes and brought back coach Rod Aldoff, who led the team to Presidents’ Cup titles in 2014 and 2016.

The Flyers will also have a full-time assistant coach for the first time in former defenseman and assistant captain Jeremy Gates.

Rosters are always fluid in the minors, more so this year as the Southern Professional Hockey League is adding an expansion team in Moline, Ill.. The Flyers have 13 protected players including forwards Charlie Adams, Jessyko Bernard, Josh Cousineau, Matt Johnson, Garrett Milan, Brian Morgan, Ken Neil, TJ Sarcona, defensemen Nathan Bruyere, Mark Esshaki and Christian Weidauer and goalies Brian Billett and Sean Bonar.

“The start of the season is kind of a puzzle,” said Coach Aldoff. “You’ve kind of got the main part of the puzzle with your core group of guys, then you have to

wait and see what happens with guys moving around and then you get your team together. So that’s what we’re doing in the short term. Guys know Pensacola is a great place to play and we have a good reputation so that helps.”

After leading the Flyers to the Presidents’ Cup title in 2016, Aldoff was hired by the Norfolk Admirals in the higher-level East Coast Hockey League, but was fired after an ownership change. Aldoff was working as a scout for the Edmonton Oilers when Harris reached out to him about returning to Pensacola.

Aldoff said the decision to come back was an easy one and that he looks forward to getting in to training camp.

“I think one thing that’s always been very good is our organization,” Aldoff said. “Greg expects professionalism and that’s something I expect too out myself and my players, so when you can work for

good people that’s always important. Our fan support has always been tremendous; we have great fans every night.”

The players are looking forward to the season as well.

Goalie Brian Billett is heading into his second year with the Ice Flyers and described his ambitions for the season as, “championship or bust.”

“It’s been such a good experience so far, just the overall city and everything you can do and enjoy here,” he said. “And once you actually get on the ice at the Bay Center and play in front of the best group of fans in the SPHL it really makes things that much better …

I’m really optimistic about the season, credit goes to (owner) Greg Harris and Coach Aldoff for bringing in a good players that have been in the league for a while, I think we have a very solid foundation and anything less than a championship is a bust.”

Success in the minor leagues can be a two-edged sword. A team that does well is more likely to draw bigger crowds. The Flyers, for example, saw their highest average attendance during their championship-winning years. But as the team succeeds, players are more likely to get called up to higher leagues, leaving the lower-level team to fill those gaps. The goal of every minor league player is to move up the ranks and eventually make the NHL. Forging a good team in the minors, said forward Matt Johnson, is about getting guys to put team goals ahead o personal ambition.

“Obviously in the minors everybody wants to play at a higher level,” Johnson said. “But if you can get guys to buy-in, to be less individualistic and more teamoriented, team success leads to individual success – because that’s what (higher-level teams) are looking for. Nobody wants a prima donna call-up who thinks he’s too good to be there.”

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 13

•

JUSTICE I'!

Benefiting Legal Services of North Florida

Join Legal Services of North Florida for an afternoon of live jazz music and help us raise funds to provide free civil legal services in our community.

Sunday, November 11 11am to 7pm Seville Quarter, Downtown Pensacola FREE ADMISSION

JK/..Z artists

Featuring these

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Eric Lindell Chris Godber Big Daddy and Red Hot Java KC and the lrresistibles All sponsorship packages include complimentary VIP tickets.

VIP tickets are $50 and include complimentary food/beer/wine from 3 to 7pm.

Please contact Jason Zaborske at 850.701.3313 or Jason@lsntorg.

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T S E F R E B O T K R A B FINDING A NEW HOME of one of the most popular events of the festival, the Most Adorable Pet Contest. Last year’s winner was Anna, a blind dog rescued from the Pensacola Humane Society. This year, the event will return, with people able to submit and vote on their pets at gogophotocontest.com/pensacolahumanesociety. The winner will be featured at Barktoberfest.

By Kaitlyn Peacock

A

nimal lovers and doggie costume enthusiasts gather every year for the annual Barktoberfest hosted by the Pensacola Humane Society. With the event going on 17 years, it has grown out of Seville Square and will be hosted at Community Maritime Park, Oct. 27. With the change in venue, Barktoberfest is set to be bigger than it has ever been, with new events and more rescues.

Barktoberfest brings together animal rescues from all over the Gulf Coast, from Mobile to Fort Walton, to celebrate and

find dogs their forever home.

“It’s a great day for anybody who loves their animals or pets in general to come out and be with like-minded folks, with all kinds of activities, and maybe take home a new rescue pet that day,” Pensacola Humane Society Executive Director Jennifer Bitner said. “We are really looking forward to it.”

Along with finding homes for dogs, the festival raises money for the Humane Society and other rescues. Last year, Barktoberfest raised between $55,000 to $60,000 in donations. This year, the Humane Society is hoping to reach $65,000.

Many of the donations were made as part

Along with the Most Adorable Pet, other contests will be held, including best trick, best costume, best wiggly butt and more. Between the contests, expect to see more animal entertainment, including a dog-centered square dancing group.

The main draw of Barktoberfest however, will always be the animals, and finding new homes for the dogs featured at the event. The Humane Society adopts out about five to 10 dogs from Barktoberfest alone, however the rescues attending will bring hundreds of dogs available for adoption.

“There’s a lot of local rescues that are looking for an opportunity for exposure to the work that they are doing,” Bitner said. “This is really an opportunity to highlight that in this community and all the work that is being done.”

Giving rescues a platform to find other people out in the community, and for

potential pet owners to get in contact with new rescues, is a huge aspect of Barktoberfest, and one that the Humane Society seeks to expand and highlight.

“You figure, we are brick and mortar, a facility, a destination, where you can see our pets,” Bitner said. “A lot of these rescues do this out of their homes. So they don’t have the ability to have the exposure we do with have a physical location that we operate out of every single day. This gives them one central place to come and get some visibility, talk about the good work they are doing, because you’ve got these like-minded people that are out there that care about animals.”

Although the event is centered around pet adoption and pet owners, any animal lover will find something to do and enjoy.

“It is a community-wide event, just like any other festival that takes place here in Pensacola,” Bitner said. “This one just happens to be geared toward pet owners.”

There are no breed restrictions for Barktoberfest, the Humane Society only asks that you keep your dog on a leash and know your dog’s limits when interacting with other animals and people.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15

FALL ART CLASSES

Advanced Stained Glass • Age 16+ Oct. 21st, 28th, Nov. 11th $150

Drawing 101 • Age 16+ Monday, Nov. 5th- Dec. 10th $200-$225

Art Lab • Age 8-14 After-school Art • Age 4-8 4 Week Sessions Each Month • $80-$140 Saturday Morning Art Class $15 • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

• Yoga and Art for Kids 1st Saturday • Creating with Clay 2nd & 4th Saturday • Mixed Media Exploration 3rd Saturday

• Pottery • Glassblowing • Meditation & Art • Painting and More!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Become a Member at any EventFree Ticket and Early Entry!

Foo Foo Fest Event; Women of Fire, Nov. 3rd Celebrating female artists working in the medium of fire! Demos, food, music & more.

Hot Glass Cold Kombucha Mahabhuta Yoga Festival Nov. 9th FCAC and Mahabhuta Yoga Festival are partnering for a Hot Glass/Cold Kombucha Event at Sanders Beach Community Center!

Hot Glass Cold Brew; Ugly Sweater Party, Dec. 7th Art Demos, Music, Brew, Fire Performances, Kids Activities, Light Fare, Holiday Art Market & More!

Hot Glass Cold Brew Save the Date!

Feb. 1st • Mar. 15th • May 3rd

FirstCityArt.org 850.429.1222

1060 N. Guillemard St. Pensacola, FL

GREEK FEST

HISTORY AND HERITAGE AT THE PENSACOLA GREEK FESTIVAL

By Kaitlyn Peacock Festival season is in full swing in downtown Pensacola, bringing a whole host of events to celebrate the cooling weather and colorful culture of Pensacola. There is no better example than the Pensacola Greek Festival, which offers some of the best food you can get at any festival in town. This year, the Greek Festival is celebrating 59 years of sharing their food, fun and culture to the community Oct. 12 through 14.

Coming from humble beginnings, the Greek Festival has grown into one of the most popular events held in downtown each year.

“What started as a one-night dinner event has definitely exploded into a wonderful three-day festival weekend,” the Pensacola Greek Festival Communications Director Rebecca Pappas said. “We love bringing a little piece of who we are to the Pensacola community. And I mean, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love a good gyro!”

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, built in 1954 and located on Garden Street, hosts the festival. In 1910, Greek immigrants who settled in Pensacola to enjoy the thriving fishing and diving community first built a church on the corner of Wright and Reus streets. The first Greek Festival was a small luncheon in 1959, created to help raise money for the church.

Nowadays, between 20,000 and 30,000 attendees from all over the Gulf Coast are expected at the festival. Pappas said she once met a family from Texas who had planned their entire fall vacation around attending the festival.

“People want to be able to partake in some of these other cultures, and while they may not be able to travel abroad, these kind of cultural festivals and communities help to bring that little

bit of that nation, and in our case our faith, to that community,” Pappas said.

“It really highlights that nation and that culture and who we are. We love being able to bring a little piece of Greece to Pensacola.”

While the food is most memorable, and certainly worthy of the spotlight, the festival will also include events such as dancers, church tours and an open dance floor for people to get a chance to learn traditional Greek dances or just have a bit of fun.

Preparations for the festival are underway right now, and have been for the better part of a year. Pappas explained that the festival takes a small army to plan and prepare, and that they are already looking toward the next festival.

“This is more than a year in advance,” Pappas said. “Within a month of this festival ending, we will be planning the 60th festival. It’s a lot of prep work, a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”

When asked what she is most looking forward to, Pappas jokingly said the Monday after the festival. In truth, she is most looking forward to sharing a fun and wonderful experience with the community.

“We love being able to share this with the Pensacola community and be able to share who we are and a little piece of our community. We always invite people to come and experience a church tour, get out on the dance floor, try some food. It’s really a wonderful opportunity for people to learn a little bit more about the Greek community, but also to just have a really fun time with us. We are a very lively bunch! We love to have a good time. We love to party with everyone. So we want everyone to come party with us. That’s all we ever hope to have, is just a really fun party with our friends and family.”

Kourambiedes (Powdered Sugar Cookies)

Recipe courtesy of Pensacola Greek Festival These buttery cookies are traditionally served at Christmas, and are given to guests at weddings and baptisms. They melt in the mouth.

Handle gently, as they are fragile and the sugar flies everywhere. ¾ lb unsalted butter 1 egg 2/3 cup finely chopped almonds 3 ½ tsp baking powder 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted ½ cup powdered sugar ½ tsp vanilla extract 1 ½ lbs powdered sugar Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place rack in upper third of oven. Soften butter to room temperature and beat with ½ cup powdered sugar until creamy and white. Add egg and beat with electric mixer for five minutes. Add vanilla and optionally ¼ cup of brandy. Sift flour and baking soda together and add to butter mixture.

Add nuts and work dough by hand. If needed add more flour to be able to mold cookies by hand (dough should not stick to sides of bowl). Cover and refrigerate the dough until firm enough to shape into balls, about 1 hour.

Pull off pieces of the dough and roll between your palms into generous 1-inch balls or into a crescent shapes. Space about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly brown on top and well browned on the bottom (14 to 18 minutes). Cool on racks for five minutes.

Place waxed paper on work surface and sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar. Gently place hot cookies on top of sugar and sift additional powdered sugar on top of cookies to cover completely. Allow to cool before serving. Can be frozen but may require a new application of sugar for serving after freezing.

Makes about 4 dozen small cookies.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17

Keep Our Friends Safe Adopt -AManatee

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2 0 1 8

Call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) savethemanatee.org Photo Š David Schrichte

Save the Date Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 5:30 pm at the National Naval Aviation Museum 9 Sponsorship levels starting at $500

Proceeds benefit children & adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities.

For more information

www.arc-gateway.org The Arc Gateway Foundation | 3932 N. 10th Ave. | Pensacola, FL 32503 | CH13805

MAY/JU

N 2018

Jams What we’re listening to this month

Safe in the Hands of Love

Red

Taylor Swift, Big Machine

Yves Tumor, WARP Records

BY WILL ISERN Where to begin with this forward-thinking, pop-adjacent monstrosity. I could tell you that the sounds are dark and lush, rippling with influences of post-industrial dance and decsonstructed club music while somewhow remaining cathy and listenable, but what does that even mean?

What’s important to know is that this album is chock full of interesting sounds and musical ideas unlike anything else released this year. Yves Tumor is forging new ground here and, while some efforts succeed more than others, its well worth the time to soak in the whole project.

Standout Tracks Economy of Freedom Noid Lifetime

BY HALEY WEAVER Six years ago this month, Taylor Swift released Red. It was her first foray into pop music, with catchy yet annoying singles like “I Knew You Were Trouble.” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

And I’ll admit one part of my recent listening relates to seeing her live, and another with milking out the last days of 2018 where “22” is applicable to me. But what gets overlooked often when casually talking about this album are the numerous golden tracks that sound like October, like endings and beginnings and crisp air. The beginnings: “Holy Ground” and “State of Grace” have a driving heartbeatlike drum line that makes merely walking feel cinematic. The endings: “Treacherous” and “Red” tell of a bad love that she held onto anyway. She likewise achieves this with “The Lucky One,” featuring all three elements (beginning, ending, that Autumn air) in a story about finding fame and needing to escape it. Red is an album with really the last remnants of the inno-

cent, All-American girl we begrudgingly fell in love with, country twang mixed in with pop but not nearly as much as what would come three years later on 1989.

Happy listening, happy October.

Standout Tracks The Lucky One Holy Ground All Too Well

JUKEBOX GALA OCTOBER 13, 2018

Bid to have world-class singers serenade you and your guests tableside.

850.433.6737 PENSACOLAOPERA.COM DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 19

A Smoking Venue

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LUNCH $ 99 SPECIALS MON-FRI • 11AM-3PM

Da te line D ow n t own New World Discovery Day October 12

To celebrate Columbus Day, famed historian John Appleyard will refresh our knowledge of Pensacola’s Spanish history with one of his famous storytelling sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 12. Experience Pensacola Trolley Tour with multicultural sights and historic stories will follow Appleyard through the downtown historic district. Trolley tickets are $10. Otherwise, the event is free to the public. For more information and to reserve trolley tickets, call 434-1234.

Bridge to Bridge 5K October 13

The fourth annual Bridge to Bridge 5K will start at the base of the 3 Mile Bay Bridge on the Pensacola side and will run over the Bay Bridge into Gulf Breeze, finishing at he Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge, Oct. 13, with the run starting at 7:30 a.m. The post race party and awards will take place immediately following the race. There will be music, refreshments, plus a beautiful view.

Buses will transport runners post race from Gulf Breeze back to Pensacola. Last bus will leave at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.werunwild.com/events/ event/bridge-bridge-5k.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Opening Night October 13

Saenger Theater will host the opening night of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Oct. 13 at 7:30 pm. From Gershwin’s high-energy Cuban Overture to the iconic music of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Opening Night will be an evening of celebration and dramatic artistry. Worldrenowned violinist and Musical America’s 2016 ìInstrumentalist of the Yearî Jennifer Koh returns for her third visit with the PSO to perform Barber’s Violin Concerto. With a fiendishly difficult finale, the Concerto is the perfect piece to highlight Koh’s dazzling virtuosity. For the protection of our patrons, the Saenger Theatre has implemented added security measures for admittance to the Theatre. To accommodate for the additional time needed for the new measures, plan your arrival accordingly.

Ticket prices start at $23. For more infor-

mation, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or contact the Saenger Theatre Box office at 595-3880.

Nations Festival October 13

Come and the annual Nations Festival Oct. 13th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All nations are invited. There will be traditional food, a display of every culture, games, raffles and the opportunity to experience the cultures of the world in one day. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail info@icoplan.org.

Blue Angels Practices

October 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31

The Blue Angels’ 2018 season is coming to an end with the Homecoming Show scheduled for Nov. 3. Don’t miss your last chance to see a practice. Wheels up at 11:30 am on most practice days. Oct. 31 will feature a special practice time, with wheels up at 11:30 am. Admission to view the practice is free. Following most Wednesday practices, members of the Blue Angels visit the Museum to meet fans and sign autographs in the Atrium. For more information, visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org.

For show weather updates, visit the Blue Angels Facebook or Twitter before show time.

Pensacola Interstate Fair October 18 – 28

Pensacola’s biggest and longest-running annual agricultural and entertainment tradition returns for its 84th season Oct. 18 through Oct. 28, bringing with it the excitement of attractions and screams from exhilarating rides, exhibits, fair food, fun and shows for the whole family. The Fair will be hosted at the Fair Grounds and will feature rides, games, music and more. For ticket prices and more information, call (850) 944-4500 or visit PensacolaFair.com.

Kona North American Championship October 19 – 21

The Pensacola Yacht Club with host an international fleet of amateurs and pros who will launch their North American Championship from the club’s 22-acre bayfront site. The windsurfing races will kick off Oct. 19 afternoon for practice races and

the main competition will kick off Oct. 20 and conclude Oct. 21. For more information, visit www.pensacolayachtclub.org/ KONA.aspx.

Gallery Night October 19

It’s officially fall, which means now is the perfect time to enjoy a night out on the town during Gallery Night, scheduled for Oct. 19 at 5 pm. Take the ìArts to the Streetsî where visitors can connect with the unique culture of Pensacola. Palafox Street will be closed for traffic between Garden and Main Street during the event.

For more information, visit www.facebook. com/pg/Gallery-Night-Pensacola.

Black Jacket Symphony October 19

Saenger Theater will host the Black Jacket Symphony, presenting Journey’s Escape Oct. 19 at 8 pm. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience through recreating classic albums in a live performance setting. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album, with no sonic detail being overlooked – the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album. For the protection of our patrons, the Saenger Theatre has implemented added security measures for admittance to the Theatre. To accommodate for the additional time needed for the new measures, plan your arrival accordingly. Ticket prices are $35 for pit rows one through four, orchestra rows A through DD and balcony rows A through C and $25 for balcony rows D through V. For more information, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or contact the Saenger Theatre Box office at 595-3880.

A Nightmare Before Christmas

October 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 Pensacola Little Theater will host Ballet Pensacola’s production of A Nightmare Before Christmas throughout October. Will Christmas be the same with a pumpkin king in charge? A Nightmare Before Christmas continues Ballet Pensacola’s tradition of creating captivating and unconventional ballets. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Fenner Ride October 20

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, along with the West Florida Wheelmen Bicycle Club present the annual Fenner Ride. The ride takes cyclists from the historic city of Milton, all the way to the woodlands of the Blackwater Forest and back again. Along the way, the winding course gives a unique chance to experience Northwest Florida’s native wildlife, natural environments, and beautiful scenery. A ride for all cycling levels, you choose 18, 42, 62 or 100 miles. This year’s Fenner Ride is Oct. 20. Start and finish will be at the Guy Thompson Community Center located at 5629 Byrom Street in Milton. Early registration cost is $45 until Oct. 18 and $55 thereafter. Registration can only be done through www.GetMeRegistered.com and via mail. For rider safety, the ride may be delayed, shortened or canceled due to inclement weather and because of the charitable nature of this event, no refunds will be given. For more information, contact Courtney Cook at ccook@bbbsnwfl. org or call 433-5437.

Sing! The National City Tour October 20

Saenger Theater will host Sing! the National City Tour Oct. 20 at 7 pm. This is your opportunity to experience the Sing!

National City Tour with Keith & Kristyn Getty - and their band of amazing musicians as they lead an evening of Modern Hymns and traditional Bluegrass and Irish music. It will feature many well-known hymns and music from their recent soldout Sing! Conference held in Nashville. The concert will include a 150-voice choir from area churches. For the protection of our patrons, the Saenger Theatre has implemented added security measures for admittance to the Theatre. To accommodate for the additional time needed for the new measures, plan your arrival accordingly.

Ticket prices start at $23. For more information, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or contact the Saenger Theatre Box office at 595-3880.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 21

Da te line D ow n t own Blues on the Bay Concert Series October 21

The Blues on the Bay Concert Series ends this month, but not without one last hurrah and a concert hosted at the Hunter Amphitheater at Community Maritime Park.

Pack your coolers, bring your lawn chairs, and enjoy a cool breeze off the bay while some of the region’s best musical talents hit the stage. The next concert will be Oct. 21, beginning at 6 pm and will include Love Gun. Every concert in the series is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.cityofpensacola.com.

The Simon and Garfunkel Story October 24

Saenger Theater will host the Simon and Garfunkel Story Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm. The immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom and Jerry to

“inspire - a day of TransformaTion, sHifT, and self-empowermenT!”

free To THe puBlic!

December 1st, 10a.m. to 6p.m.

Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center 913 S I St, Pensacola, Florida Join us for a day of sHifT Classes, Seminars, Workshops, Meditation, Demonstrations, Massage, Books, Daily Fresh Organic Food, Spa Services, Yoga, & much more.

SPeakeRS WanteD!

850.941.4321

inspirepensacola.org 22 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

their incredible success as one of the bestselling music groups of the ‘60s to their dramatic split in 1970. It culminates with the famous ìThe Concert in Central Parkî reunion in 1981 with more than half a million fans in attendance. For the protection of our patrons, the Saenger Theatre has implemented added security measures for admittance to the Theatre. To accommodate for the additional time needed for the new measures, plan your arrival accordingly. Ticket prices are $58 for pit rows one through four, orchestra rows A through DD and balcony rows A through M and $48 for balcony rows N through V. For more information, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or contact the Saenger Theatre Box office at 595-3880.

Nemours Costume Ball October 26

Visit the enchanted forest for a night of myths, legends and fairytales at the second annual Nemours Costume Ball: Once Upon a Time, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

All sponsorships and ticket sales for this fun-filled event will support the children and families of Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Pensacola – a part of one of Nemours Children’s Health System, a nonprofit and leader in pediatric health. Tickets are $150 per person. For more information, visit www.secure.qgiv.com/event/ nemourscostumeball2017.

FooFoo Festival November 1 – 12

Looking for a festival that covers everything from graffiti to opera? The Foo Foo Festival is an eclectic mixture of art and cultural events ranging in tastes, with everything from Blue Angels air shows and songwriters’ music festivals to ballet, opera, high art and even the Big Green Egg Cook-off. The festival includes a changing calendar of events each year, but is traditionally anchored around the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show.

While many events on the Foo Foo Fest calendar are free, some events do require a ticket. For more information, visit www. foofoofest.com.

Desire Desire Desire / For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls

November 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 Pensacola Little Theater will host Desire Desire Desire / For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls throughout November. Pensacola Little Theatre’s FooFoo Festival entry this year is a night of hilarious one-acts

by Christopher Durang. A set of Tennessee Williams parodies (A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie), the fading Southern belle, Amanda, tries to prepare her hyper-sensitive, hypochondriac son Lawrence for “the feminine caller” but he rather play with his collection of glass cocktail stirrers. If you enjoy Tennessee Williams or just a great laugh, don’t miss this. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival November 2 – 4

The nation’s top artists, scenic views, a cool breeze, live music, a spirited crowd – blended together, these scenes make the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival in Historic Downtown Pensacola one of the bestregarded, most popular arts festivals in the United States. The Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival is the perfect place to see the best of what the Pensacola area has to offer, while also learning about culture and enjoying art from across the country and around the globe. Plan your fall festival trip now to indulge in a vast array of art, music, food, scenery and of course, Florida sunshine. For more information, visit www. ggaf.org.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents Mozart and Brahms November 3

Saenger Theater will host the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, presenting Mozart and Brahms Nov. 3 at 7:30 pm. Highlighting the lighter side of the repertoire, this concert features the care-free, nostalgic ìEmperor Waltzesî by Johann Strauss and Brahms’ Serenade No. 1. Hailed for his ìstylist and spirited playingî by the Chicago Tribune, pianist Alon Goldstein joins the orchestra for Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21. For the protection of our patrons, the Saenger Theatre has implemented added security measures for admittance to the Theatre. To accommodate

for the additional time needed for the new measures, plan your arrival accordingly.

Ticket prices start at $23. For more information, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or contact the Saenger Theatre Box office at 595-3880.

Blue Angels Homecoming Show November 3

The Blue Angels’ final show of the year sees them returning to Pensacola. The annual Homecoming Show will be held Nov. 3 at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

There will be stunning displays of aerial acrobatics, games, events and more. The Blue Angels will close the show. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.naspensacolaairshow.com.

Raffle Benefit November 5

Pensacola Little Theater will host the 2018 raffle benefit Nov. 5 at 5:30 pm. Food, drinks and live auction will be at the benefit. The grand prize is a trip for two to beautiful Napa Valley or $4,000 cash. Cost is $50 per entry. Attendance not necessary to win. Proceeds benefit the children’s education programs at Pensacola Little Theatre. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.pensacolalittletheatre.com.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac November 5

Saenger Theater will host Rumours of Fleetwood Mac Nov. 5 at 7:30 pm. Performing the legendary Rumours album note-for-note and in its entirety, plus much more. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, the world’s finest tribute to Fleetwood Mac, comes to North America for the very first time in 2018 with a brand new show celebrating 40 years of the iconic Rumours album. For the protection of our patrons, the Saenger Theatre has implemented added security measures for admittance to the Theatre. To accommodate for the additional time needed for the new measures, plan your arrival accordingly. Ticket prices are $69 for pit rows one through four and orchestra rows A through C, $50 for orchestra rows D through DD and balcony rows A through M and $40 for balcony rows N through V. For more information, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com or contact the Saenger Theatre Box office at 595-3880.

an Evening of Fashion

presented by the Women’s Board of Baptist Health Care Foundation and Gulf Coast Health Care

42 nd Annual Fashion Show October 25, 2018 Skopelos at New World, 600 S. Palafox St. Fashions by Bluetique, cabi by independent stylist Jennie Barrow, J. Hilburn Men’s Custom Clothing

by Wendy McCullar, The Market and Mainly Shoes and The South Outfitters 5:30 p.m. Cocktails, Silent Auction and Hors D’oeuvres 6:30 p.m. Program and Live Auction 7:00 p.m. Fashion Show Tickets $50 For information about sponsorships or to purchase tickets, call 850.469.7906 or visit BaptistHealthCareFoundation.org.

Acumen Medical Imaging & Interventional • Ballinger Publishing • BBVA Compass Bank The Blake at Pensacola • Emerald Coast Hospice • Fiore of Pensacola • Girls Night the Musical at the Saenger Theatre Michael & Crystal Gleason • Gulf Breeze News • Hancock Whitney • Highpointe Hotel Corporation Iron Horse Wealth Strategies • KIA Autosport • The Kugelman Foundation • Levin Rinke Realty • The Moore Group – Margie Moore Pensacola News Journal & Bella Magazine • Separation Systems • Summer Vista, The Beacon & The Arbors

Invite your friends and family to drive over to Pensacola, FL, for Foo Foo Fest, a 12-day celebration of happenings, events and moments of high artistic and cultural caliber, delivered with a hefty dose of Southern sophistication.

NOV. 1–12, 2018

pensacola, fl

foofoofest.com