Downtown Crowd, February 2022

FEB. ‘22

5 Q’s with GeekVision Productions The Intersection of Pop Culture and Fandoms Wolfgang Hosts Pawdi Gras Pup Parade

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CONTENTS

The month of February typically marks the start of pink and red hearts, cheesy Valentine’s Day cards and romantic date dates, but for some, it means three full days of costume contests, celebrity photo ops and themed events at our favorite bars and restaurants. That's right Pensacola, it’s time for Pensacon!

We’ve brought you a complete run-down on where to go and what to know for the highly-anticipated return of this popular pop-culture and fan convention on February 18–20 at the Pensacola Bay Center. So, get ready to let your geek flag fly because this year’s Pensacon line up features some of the biggest names in entertainment. We have also included a guide of official Pensacon events and event venues to help you make the most of your Pensacon experience.

We’ve also included a round up of the best comic book shops in Pensacola so you can snag a copy of your favorite comic, collectible action figure or video game to help you get amped up for the main event! In this issue, we’ve also brought you the scoop on Pensacola’s latest and greatest event planning company, WolfGang, LLC, and their upcoming Pawdi Gras pup parade to benefit the Pensacola Humane Society.

As always, I hope you enjoy this month’s issue and until next time, Cheers!

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8 14

12

22 6 5 Questions with Creatives 8 The Intersection of Pop Culture and Fandoms: Pensacola Comic Book and Game Shops 12 Pawdi Gras Pup Parade

16 Maximize Your Pensacon Experience: Official 2022 Pensacon Events Guide 20 February Events Calendar 22 Military Matters

14 The Gathering of Geekdom: Pensacon Returns for 2022

Follow us on Social Media @DowntownCrowd DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 5

5 QUESTIONS WITH

CREATIVES B . R AY P E N N I N G T O N : GEEK VISION PRODUC TIONS

BY MORGAN COLE

When local cartoonist, illustrator and webcomic B. Ray Pennington isn’t busy selling his art at his booth at the Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola, he’s likely creating his latest piece while live streaming for subscribers on Twitch or working on illustrations for his webcomic, Brain Matter. Since moving to Pensacola four years ago, Pennington has played an active role in the local arts community. He also participates in numerous local community markets and art-based events throughout the year such as the Pensacola Arts Market, Punk Rock Flea Market, Pensacola Community Market, Gallery Night and more. Check out Pennington’s work online at geekvisionproductions.com, or follow GeekVision Productions on Facebook @GeekVision-Productions and Instagram @geekvisionproductions.

How would you describe or categorize your artistic style?

I feel that my work is distinct in both appearance and execution. I would consider myself a cartoonist as well as an illustrator, but I like to pull inspiration from different aspects of art and sometimes give my pieces a bit of surrealism or expressionism to mix it up. I would say when it comes to the style of my work, it’s about fifty percent mixed media and fifty percent digital. For the mixed media pieces, I draw an image, color it with markers, cut it out with an X-acto knife, paint a separate background (usually with a watercolor or some sort of water-based media) and then I combine everything with layers of foam core and rubber cement to create a sort of 3D or pop-out effect.

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How did you first get into creating digital comic books and illustrations, and was there a specific moment when you knew that this was something you wanted to pursue full time?

Digital art didn’t really come naturally to me for a while, I did take some courses in college, but it didn’t quite click. It wasn’t until years later when more accessible and user-friendly software came about and digital drawing tablets started becoming a thing.

As a result, I started seeing more and more creators publishing their cartoons and comics online and I thought, “I could do this! I’m kind of funny and good at creating characters.”

How long have you been an artist and such. Gary Larson, creator of or been into illustrating and The Far Side, was one of the first comic books? Have comic books comic artists I remember really served as an inspiration for your getting into. In college, I discovwork? If so, which ones specifi- ered Cyanide & Happiness, which is a webcomic created by three cally were you inspired by?

I tell people the copout answer is my whole life, but it’s true! My earliest memories involved drawing. As a kid I mainly liked to draw my favorite cartoons, and that inspired me to create my own characters, give them personalities and draw little adventures they would go on. Naturally, my main focus was my childhood dog, Tucker and myself as a best buddy duo. So to honor his memory, I still draw him as the main character of my webcomic.

As far as comic inspiration, I always enjoyed comic strips, the little jokes in the newspaper

different individuals that was also drawn in this similar comic strip format.

When did you officially launch GeekVision Productions and how did you come up with the name?

GeekVision Productions (GVP) was a concept I’ve been working on for years! I first settled on the name about ten years ago and it was inspired by my much larger “vision,” which was to one day become a large production company working on big projects doing things like movies and animation. The “Geek” part was an obvious choice since geek culture inspires me and is reflected in so much of my work.

However, I didn’t officially launch GVP until four years ago, when I first moved to Pensacola. Since then, I’ve taken to calling my fans and followers “Visionaries.”

Do you, or have you produced any commissioned work? If so, can you tell me a little bit about it?

I offer commissions and have created several over the years.

They can be a lot of fun sometimes. I try to really work with the client to give them the best experience and keep them updated with my progress. Most people are generally easy to work with.

I’ve done a range of things, sometimes someone wants a specific character, animal, theme, etc. in the form of one of my 3D pieces.

I’ve also created logos for some small and startup businesses.

Colle cting toys is a form of time trav el— a wind ow to the past .

The

Intersection of Pop Culture and Fandoms

Pensacola Comic Book and Game Shops

By Dakota Parks

If you’ve turned on a TV in the past decade, you’ve probably seen references to comic books, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), video games, collectors, conventions and the influx of fandoms gone mainstream. There are communities and fandoms for just about anything and everything people are passionate about—from niche and nostalgic collectibles, cinema and retro games to tabletop gaming, video games, comic books, manga, anime and superheroes. At the intersection of pop culture and fandoms are comic bookstores, game shops and toy collectors that provide a space for people of all ages to gather, talk, game and geek out over their shared interests. Just in time for the annual Pensacon convention, held February 18–20, we gathered up some of the best spots in Pensacola to buy a new comic book, roll some dice, trade a game or simply get a dose of childhood nostalgia.

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Hyperspace Toys 6224 N 9th Avenue Unit #1 Instagram and Facebook @hyperspacetoys Husband and wife duo, Jim and Michelle Vail, opened their shop specializing in nostalgic toys and “Collecting toys is a form of time collectibles in 2018 after the owner travel—a window to the past, a of Marty’s Collectibles retired and happier time when we played all they took over the location. As the time, long before we had adult a longtime film aficionado, Jim responsibilities and distractions,” wanted a shop that encapsulated Jim Vail explained. “I hear it all the all things nerdy and pop culture time, ‘I haven’t thought about this and allowed his patrons to revisit since I was a kid!’ Seeing toys or other their nostalgic childhood toys. With relics of your childhood can often toys and collectibles ranging from bring back a forgotten memory along the 1950s to present day and the with a rush of serotonin that just constantly changing and trading makes a person smile. It’s a feeling stock, there is always something new that overcomes everything else and (but technically used) on the shelves. instantly catapults you back to your Hyperspace Toys carries vintage childhood. It’s very powerful, and video games, consoles, comic books, there’s nothing like it. Whether you Pokémon and other trading cards, were a kid six years ago or 60 years board games, movies, and of course, ago, we’ve got something from your childhood here in the shop.” action figures and toys.

Photos by Guy Stevens

TBS Comics Pensacola 6895 N 9th Avenue tbscomics.com Facebook @TBSComicsPensacola As a veteran shop in the community, this family-owned business has withstood the test of time and witnessed generations of collectors and the highs and lows of the comic book industry. TBS Comics first opened in Fort Walton Beach in 1985 and its second location opened in Pensacola in 1990.

TBS is the local crossroads of pop culture.

We have something cool to see for everyone.

games and anime, and they host weekly gaming events with a longstanding community of gamers.

Owner Edward Nehring took over the family business in 1999 that his “TBS is the local crossroads of pop mother, Rose Nehring, spearheaded culture,” Edward Nehring said. “We and operated for more than 15 years. have something cool to see for Both locations sell comic books, everyone. I see so many adults board games, card games, roleplaying dropping in to buy Pokémon cards

There is such a diverse offering of voices in comics that it would be a shame to only have access to the ones owned by big corporations.

these days. Some I remember when they came in as a kid. Some stop in with children of their own now, which is pretty awesome. We’ve outlasted some of the giants like Blockbusters

Pensacola Pop Comics 909 N 12th Avenue pensacolapopcomics.com Instagram and Facebook @PensacolaPopComics Harley Orr has been a lifelong lover of comic books and wanted a shop with a diverse selection that filled his needs as a reader. He was a teacher before opening the shop in 2014 and always loved connecting students with books to read. Now, he still gets to recommend books—without the papers to grade. Pensacola Pop Comics specializes in new and old comic books and graphic novels for adults and children. In addition to the bestsellers and traditional comics, patrons can find zines and small press comics by creators with print runs of only a few hundred

and Toys ‘R’ Us. I’m thankful for the ‘shop local’ community support we have and our wonderful staff past and present.”

copies. New comics hit the shelves every other Wednesday and their graphic novel book club is resuming in February at the West Florida Public Library on 239 N Spring Street.

“For many people, it's a habit to read comics,” Orr said. “My son is 9, and every day he eats his breakfast and reads comics like an old man reading the morning paper. Like many of my customers, he’s been bitten by the radioactive comic bug.

I stock new and old comics from the bestsellers down to little comics hand assembled by the creators.

There is such a diverse offering of voices in comics that it would be a shame to only have access to the ones owned by big corporations. I like a good superhero story, but I also like to read a comic about a woman washing her dishes to SZA or a cat and witch getting stoned on the couch.”

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9

The Intersection

of Pop Culture and Fandoms

We are a store where you can bring in a game that you love but have no room to play in your house.

Level Up Gaming 1132 Creighton Road levelupgamingofpensacola.com Facebook @PensacolaLevelUpGaming With 7,300 square feet and 32 gaming tables inside the shop, complete with play mats and different terrains, Level Up Gaming takes tabletop gaming seriously.

Owners William Brandenburg and Ronald Brandenburg Jr. decided to open their store in 2019 when they realized they didn’t have the adequate space at home to play tabletop games and there were no stores locally that specialized in tabletop games like Dungeons &

Dragons and Warhammer 40,000. goers and patrons can come together Patrons can find books, miniatures, and play games anytime day or night. paint, dice, mats and all the tabletop gaming necessities. Level Up Gaming “For a long time is was seen as uncool also hosts a D&D Adventure League, and weird to be interested in gaming. a variety of homebrew campaigns, But now, every piece of cinema that historical recreations and even you watch it’s built in. Stranger charitable tournaments. During Things literally starts out with casting Pensacon weekend, Level Up Gaming fireball from D&D,” Will Brandenburg will be open from Friday to Sunday said. “We are a store where you can night without closing so convention bring in a game that you love but

Whether you’re a retro collector... or looking for the newest thing—we want to have you covered.

Video Game Trading Post 5559 N Davis Highway, Suite D Instagram and Facebook @VGTPFlorida Partners, Kevin Brancati and Katie McGuigan, have always had a mutual love of video games and decided to 10 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

memorabilia and collectibles with a large section of anime merchandise imported from Japan. If you’re looking to move onto to the next best game or console, Video Game Trading Post also buys and trades merchandise.

leave their retail jobs and open their own store in 2017. Video Game Trading Post started in a small storefront dedicated to retro and pre-owned games and consoles, but they have since expanded to a new storefront on Davis Highway, and the shop carries a little bit of everything gaming related from NES all the way up to PS5. The store also stocks games, consoles, books,

“The past few years we've expanded into collectibles like figures, Pokémon cards, plush, posters and specialty Japanese imports like Gashapon (random prize vending machines). We even took the plunge into brand new release games straight from distributors,” McGuigan said. “We really want to be a shop for anyone. Whether you're a retro collector, someone who wants to replay games from your childhood, looking for games to play with your family, just into the ‘merch,’ or looking for the newest thing—we want to have you covered.”

have no room to play in your house.

We have a community of people who also enjoy that game and a space that allows you to come together and roll dice to play. It’s such a vibrant community of people to engage with and talk about anything you have seen, want to play or want to do.”

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Pawdi Gras Pup Parade

By Nicole Willis Photos courtesy of WolfGang, LLC

P

ensacola’s newest event planning company, WolfGang, LLC, specializes in making your furry friend the center of attention with its creative pupthemed celebrations for all occasions.

From “Pup Crawls,” “Mutts & Mimosas” and “Barkday Paw-ties” to “Adoptiversaries” and “Yappy Hours,” the event planners at WolfGang are sure to make your celebration memorable.

WolfGang co-owners, Jessica and Kim Wolford, are the brains behind this creative business concept. The two found themselves disappointed that their dogs were often excluded from participating in many of the events and activities that they enjoyed. As a solution to this rather hairy predicament, the couple launched WolfGang, LLC in August of 2021 as Pensacola’s first and only dog-centered full-service event planning company.

“We opened the businesses because we wanted to find a way to incorporate our dogs into more activities and events we participate in,” WolfGang co-owner Jessica Wolford explained.

12 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

After organizing and hosting their first successful dog-friendly pub crawl (or “Pup Crawl”) throughout downtown Pensacola, WolfGang was born. “The name WolfGang is actually a spin on both mine and Kim’s last name [Wolford]. We call our dogs the ‘Wolford gang of six’, so that’s where the name WolfGang came from,” Jessica Wolford said.

WolfGang specializes in creating and organizing themed events that are both dog-centered and human-friendly. “We can host just about any type of event for your dog. Basically anything that can put your dog on the invitation, that’s what we do,” Jessica Wolford explained.

Since its opening, WolfGang has organized various dog-centered events throughout downtown Pensacola and numerous other celebrations for dog owners and their furry friends. When it comes to the details, Wolfgang definitely has it covered–from custom gift bags, party toys and invitations to the decor and food, the possibilities are endless.

Most recently, WolfGang has partnered with the Pensacola Humane Society to host their first annual Pawdi Gras, a dog-centered Mardi Gras

“

We wanted to find a way to incorporate our dogs into more activities and events we participate in.”

celebration to benefit the Pensacola Humane Society. “This will be WolfGang’s first major public event since opening in 2021 and we are very excited about it,” Jessica Wolford said.

The event will feature a Mardi Gras parade in which dog owners are invited to bring their pooch and march through the downtown streets in colorful costumes. K-9 units and local law enforcement will lead the pup-themed parade serving as the grand marshals. Other event festivities include dog costume contests, raffles, games, live music and a variety of local food and beverage vendors.

The Pensacola Humane Society and other local organizations will also be on-site with pet adoptions and a variety of other pup-centered services.

Event organizers are expecting an estimated 2,000 humans and their four-legged friends to attend the inaugural event.

WolfGang selects a local non-profit to benefit from each of the events they host throughout the year. All proceeds gained from Pawdi Gras will go to directly support the Pensacola Humane Society and its mission.

“Pawdi Gras was an amazing opportunity to join forces with community businesses to raise fiscal donations to support our Greater Good fund!

This funding provides outreach through medical, food and emergency assistance and more for underserved community pet owners,” Director of Development for Pensacola Humane Society, Manda Moore said.

On February 13 from 12 pm to 4 pm dog lovers from around the city are invited to come together to enjoy a day of Mardi Gras festivities filled with pups, food and fun at Perfect Plain Brewing Co. in downtown Pensacola. Streets will be closed from Tarragona to Palafox to accommodate the event’s crowd and the parade, which will kick off at 2 pm.

Pawdi Gras is free and open to the public; however, there is a suggested donation of $10 which will go to support the Pensacola Humane Society. Guests wanting to participate in the parade are invited to register in advance on February 12 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co. from 5 pm to 7 pm, or they may register on the day of the event.

For more information on WolfGang and the upcoming Pawdi Gras event, visit wolfgangparkandbrews.com. Follow WolfGang on Instagram @wolfgangpensacola and Facebook @wolfgangparkandbrews for updates and announcements. To donate, volunteer or learn more about ways to get involved with the Pensacola Humane Society, visit pensacolahumane.org.

Call for Submissions!

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THE

GATHERING OF GEEKDOM Pensacon Returns for 2022

For many of us, February conjures up images of pink and red hearts, romance and corny valentine cards, but for us Pensacolians February marks the start of cosplay contests, celebrity guests, themed parties at your favorite downtown venues and of course, loads of fun. It’s time for Pensacon!

Each year in February, more than 30,000 people gather in downtown Pensacola to

By Morgan Cole

experience the three-day fan extravaganza we call Pensacon. From sci-fi, fantasy and horror to comics, anime, gaming and more, this allinclusive pop culture convention provides a welcome step away from reality. At Pensacon, fans of just about any genre are able to come together and bond over their shared interests and hobbies. So, whether you’re into superheroes, cult classics or cosplay, this is your chance to get your geek on.

Pensacon 2022 will be held Friday, villainous Moff Gideon in the Times at Ridgemont High, Beverly and The Walking Dead star Ryan February 18 through Sunday, hit Star Wars spinoff series, The Hills Cop and The Santa Clause; Hurst and many more.

February 22 at the Pensacola Bay Mandalorian, and as Gus Fring on Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and Center in downtown Pensacola. the acclaimed drama Breaking Bad Doctor Who star David Bradley; “We’re so thrilled to have what I With a jam-packed line up featur- and its spinoff, Better Call Saul. Dylan McDermott, star of Ameri- believe is our first Oscar winner, ing more than 100 actors, artists, Other widely known roles include can Horror Story, The Practice and the legendary Richard Dreyfuss, writers and other professionals Stan Edgar in The Boys, the voice of Law & Order: Organized Crime; as well as Star Trek icon George from various entertainment media, Lex Luthor in the animated super- Jaws movie icon and actor Richard Takei, appear at our show, and there’s a little bit of something for hero TV series Harley Quinn and Dreyfuss; Supernatural stars Kim the incredible Giancarlo Esposito everyone to enjoy.

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in GodfaRhodes, Samantha of The Mandalorian and Breakther of Harlem.

Smith and Briana ing Bad, plus old friends like the “I think this may be our biggest B u c k m a s t e r ; amazing Michael Rooker returnlineup yet, with so many big-name Other featured celebrity guests Mighty Morphin ing,” Diaz said. guests and so much entertainment will include Star Trek Power Rangplanned throughout the weekend. legend George Takei; ers stars Amy Jo Ticketing, celebrity autographs, There’s a little something for every- The Suicide Squad Johnson, Johnny photo ops and the vendor floor will one to enjoy,” Pensacon’s Director c a s t m e m b e r s Y o n g B o s c h be held inside the Bay Center. The of Marketing and Guest Relations, Michael Rooker, and David Yost; Poseidon’s Bay area, located in the Julio Diaz said.

Sean Gunn and Orange is the New back parking lot of the Bay Center, S t ev e A g e e ; Black series star will open up one hour prior to One of this year’s most anticipated 1980s movie Taryn Manning; the main event each day and will celebrity guests is Giancarolo icon Judge Reinand American feature live entertainment, games, Esposito, most known for his hold known for Pie star Tara Reid; food, vendors, cosplay photos and Emmy-nominated roles as the roles in Fast Sons of Anarchy activities throughout the weekend.

14 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

pensacon.com/events/pensaconshort-film-festival.

“We’re happy to have the opportunity to showcase the work of talented filmmakers throughout the world in our juried film festival. At the end of the weekend, we will present awards from our selection committee as well as an audience choice selection and one chosen by a panel of our creative guests,” Diaz said.

While Pensacon is primarily headquartered at the Pensacola Bay Center, official event festivities will also be held at multiple venues throughout downtown Pensacola, including the Rex Theatre, The Center (formerly known as the Pensacola Cultural Center, home to the Pensacola Little Theatre), Pensacola Museum of Commerce, De Luna Event Space and more.

“Pensacon is also an official event partner for the Pensacon-themed Gallery Night scheduled for Friday, February 18 and will provide entertainment programming on the Rapper Young MC, most known for Gallery Night stage and throughout his popular 90s hit, Bust a Move. the downtown streets during the street party,” Diaz said.

“We also partner with numerous bars and restaurants throughOfficial Pensacon events will out downtown Pensacola to host also take place on Saturday night themed celebrations and offer food (Feb. 19) at the De Luna Event and beverage specials throughSpace in downtown Pensacola. out the weekend,” Diaz explained.

The evening will kick off with the “Consult the Pensacon program Zarzaur Law Costume Contest, guide, the Pensacon app or our which is typically one of the most website for the full lineup of official attended events of the week- Pensacon events.” end. Immediately following the costume contest, will be a huge The Pensacon Short Film Festi90s-themed party featuring hosts val will also return as part of this Joey Fatone of *NSYNC and Nick year’s official event line up, featurCarter of Backstreet Boys as ing films produced by more than well as a special performance by 50 filmmakers from across the

From cosplay contests, animation workshops and themed celebrations to film festival screenings and photo ops with your favorite celebrity guests, this year’s Pensacon line up is jam-packed with events that are sure to keep everyone entertained.

“Come on downtown, park your car, use our free trolley system to get around and have a blast. Even if you don’t buy a ticket, I encourage you to come to Gallery Night on Friday to get a taste of the Pensacon experience—and if you find you like it, you can always get a single-day ticket world. As part of the convention, for Saturday or Sunday,” Diaz said. films will celebrate science fiction, horror, fantasy, comic books, pop VIP passes have already sold out culture, animation and documen- for this year’s event, but single and taries. The film festival will consist three-day passes are still on sale of multiple short film screening and can be purchased online at sessions grouped by genre or pensacon.com/passes/. Singlespecial interest. Screenings will day passes range from $35–$45, be held throughout the weekend depending on which day you attend and will include special sessions and three-day passes are $85 each. for families as well as sessions showcasing local independent Visit pensacon.com for this year’s filmmakers from the Gulf Coast. complete event line up and featured Attendees will also have the oppor- celebrity guests, workshops, discustunity to participate in a short Q&A sion panels, costume contests with the filmmakers at the end of and more. For special announceeach screening session. Check out ments and event updates, follow the 2022 film festival entries and @Pensacon on Facebook or full screening schedule online at @PensacolaPensacon on Instagram.

DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15

THE

GATHERING GEEKDOM

OF

Maximize Your Pensacon Experience Official 2022 Pensacon Events Guide

By Nicole Willis

We’ve gathered where to go and what to know to help you make the most of your Pensacon experience. While Pensacon is primarily hosted at the Pensacola Bay Center, other venues and businesses located throughout the city will also be joining in the fun. Be sure to check out one or all of these exciting official Pensacon events happening throughout downtown Pensacola during Pensacon weekend. Be sure to download the official Pensacon App available on Google Play and the App Store to stay organized so you don't miss out on any of your favorite events. For the complete list of official Pensacon events and participating venues, visit pensacon.com/venues.

Interactive Workshops & Cosplay Contest Prejudging UWF Historic Trust Bowden Building 120 Church Street

host the pre-judging for the Cosplay Contest. The Bowden Building will be open on Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm, Saturday from 11:30 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm during Pensacon weekend.

At 120 Church Street, you will find the UWF Historic Trust Bowden Building. Here, Pensacon guests will have the opportunity to attend workshops and let their creative juices flow. During these interac- Museum Plaza Stage | At the corner of tive workshops, attendees will Church Street & Tarragona Street learn how to strengthen their writ- After the pre-judging of the Cosplay ing, acting and design skills. Guests Contest, head on over to the will receive valuable tips and advice Museum Plaza Stage to check out from the experts themselves to the winners of this year’s Pensacon become a master of their creative Cosplay Contest and enjoy some craft. The Bowden Building will also

Pensacon Cosplay Contest & Live Performances

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live music by Stangelove and cover the band, Depeche Mode. The Museum Plaza Stage will also host additional Pensacon events and entertainment on Friday (times TBA), Saturday from 11:30 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Pensacon Short Film Festival Screenings & Awards

The Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center 117 East Government Street

Best in Show award is determined

by Pensacon staff, the Jury Selection award is selected by a panel of Pensacon guests and the Audience Choice award is determined by audience members during each of the screenings. Apart from these three awards, there are also specific award categories based upon genre.

For example, in previous years there have been awards for Best Horror Film and Best Science Fiction Film.

This year’s Pensacon Short Film Festival will mark the eighth year of this popular event being held.

The Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center will serve as home to one of Pensacon’s largest annual events, the Pensacon Short Film Festival. The gallery at The Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center will host this year’s film festival screenings and awards ceremony The Center | 400 South Jefferson Street (PLT on Saturday from 12 pm to 7 pm and on Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Mainstage & Courtroom) Be sure to stop by to watch short The Center (formerly known as the film submissions from all over the Pensacola Cultural Center) will globe. Award winners are selected serve as the host venue for many of by different groups of judges this year’s Pensacon panels and this based upon their category. The year’s Pensacon Short Film Festival

Celebrity Panels, Writing Panels & Pensacon Short Film Festival Screenings

screenings. Celebrity panels will be held inside of the mainstage theatre and writing panels are scheduled to be held in the courtroom. Pensacon badge holders will have access to trolleys that run between The Center and the Pensacola Bay Center throughout the day. The PLT Mainstage and The PLT Courtroom are both located within this venue. The Center will be open to Pensacon guests on Friday from 1:30 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 1:30 pm to 5 pm.

For complete details on short film festival screenings, times and locations, visit pensacon.com/events/ pensacon-short-film-festival/.

Outdoor Activities, Cosplay Photos, Food Vendors, Live Entertainment & More

Poseidon’s Bay | 201 East Gregory Street (the back parking lot of the Bay Center)

Poseidon’s Bay will feature numerous outdoor activities, a stage with live performers and entertainment, activity tents, a performance ring, cosplay photos, food vendors and more. It is located in the back parking lot of the Bay Center, and you must enter through the building.

Poseidon’s Bay will open one hour prior to the main event each day Rex Theatre | 18 North Palafox Street The Rex Theatre will also host throughout Pensacon weekend. In 2022. Upon arriving at the Bay more. Here, attendees will have the several celebrity panels and order to enter Poseidon’s Bay, you Center, guests will enter the Vendor opportunity to meet with celebrities, Floor. Located on the first floor of take photos with them and receive special performances, so be sure must be a Pensacon ticket holder. the Bay Center, the Vendor Floor autographs. The third floor of the to stop by and hear from some of features tons of official Pensacon Bay Center will be home to the Artist your favorite celebrities and catch merchandise from various types Alley and Writers Row, where guests a show. Events will be held at the of vendors. Wolf Photography will have access to both well-known Rex Theatre on Friday from 1:30 pm will also be offering professional and local artists. to 10 pm, Saturday from 11 am to photos with celebrity guests. On 10 pm and on Sunday (times TBA). the second floor, guests will find *Please note that masks are required at all Badge holders will have access to Pensacola Bay Center (Primary Venue) this year’s Celebrity Floor, which times inside of the Pensacola Bay Center trolleys that run between The Rex 201 East Gregory Street The Pensacola Bay Center will serve features popular celebrities and and everyone entering the building must Theatre and the Pensacola Bay as the primary venue for Pensacon stars from films, shows, books and pass through a security checkpoint.

Center throughout the event.

Pensacon Celebrity Panels & Performances

Vendor Floor, Celebrity Floor, Artist Alley & Writer’s Row

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February COMMUNITY EVENTS Pensacola February Ice Flyers Schedule

For more information and tickets, visit pensacolaiceflyers.com.

February 4 at 7:05 pm . . . . . . . Macon Mayhem vs Ice Flyers February 5 at 7:05 pm . . . . . . . Macon Mayhem vs Ice Flyers February 11 at 7:05 pm . . . Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers February 12 at 7:05 pm . . . Knoxville Ice Bears vs Ice Flyers February 27 at 5:05 pm . . . . Birmingham Bulls vs Ice Flyers Constant Coffee Poetry Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February 1, 8, 15, 22 Join Pensacola Poetry at the longest running open mic in Pensacola at Constant Coffee & Tea, located at 615 Scenic Highway. Every Tuesday, poets and creatives come to flex their voices through poetry, rap and spoken word. Come out and support the local arts community and hear a beautiful bricolage of words. Doors open at 6 pm and mic starts at 6:30 pm. Follow Pensacola Poetry on Facebook for updates and information

Nate Bargatze - The Raincheck Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 3 Nate Bargatze’s comedy is both clean and relatable, evident in his ten appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

He also appeared on Conan four times, was a recurring guest on @midnight, and had his own Comedy Central Presents in 2011. Off-screen, Nate was part of Jimmy Fallon's Clean-Cut Comedy Tour and has done live shows for the troops in Iraq and Kuwait five times. In addition to touring the country as a headliner, Nate toured in arenas with Chris Rock on his 2017 Total Blackout Tour. He regularly performs at Bonnaroo, SXSW, Oddball Comedy Festival, Sasquatch, Clusterfest, and the JFL Montreal Comedy Festival, where he’s received critical acclaim multiple years in a row. The show will be held at the Sanger Theatre at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Double Bridge Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 5 The Pensacola Double Bridge Run Presented by Publix is one of the premier 15K races in the country. The 15K carries runners over two bridges, across Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. It will run from downtown Pensacola with a tour that includes the historic district, and picturesque Bayfront Parkway, a run through Gulf

20 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM

Breeze, and onto Pensacola Beach. The 15K race begins at Maritime Park at 7 am and the 5K will begin at Daniel Drive in Gulf Breeze at 8:30 am. For more information, visit pensacolasports.org.

Pensacola Arts Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 5 & 19 Shop small and buy local art at Pensacola Arts Market every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm at the historic Frank Marston American Legion Post 33, located at 1401 W Intendencia Street. Enjoy handcrafted wares, art, vintage clothes and décor, jewelry, soap, crochet wares and rotating food trucks and vendors. Free admission!

Gordon Open Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 10 Join the Gordon Community Center for this month’s open mic night where musicians, comedians, poets and performers celebrate their artistic talents. Open mic night is hosted on the second Thursday of each month from 7 pm to 10 pm the Gordon Community Center located at 306 North DeVilliers Street in downtown Pensacola.

If you are interested in performing, you will have a chance to sign-up for a time slot when you arrive. For more information, contact The Gordon at 850-857-8961 or falaprods@gmail.com.

Beach Ecology Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 12 Join Healthy Gulf for a beach ecology walk along the shifting sands and waters of Santa Rosa Island at Pensacola Beach.

We’ll hike along both the Gulf and Sound side of the Island, exploring the changing plant communities and life along the shoreline. Along the way participants will learn more about terrestrial and aquatic life by examining what has washed ashore, including seeds, shells, plants, fish, crabs and other items both natural and manmade. The hike is a total length of about

four miles and will take about two hours to complete. The exact meeting location at Pensacola Beach will be provided upon registration. Space is limited in order to ensure a quality experience, so to reserve a spot or for more information please email christian@healthygulf.org or call (850) 687-9968.

Ever'Market @ Nine Mile Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 12 As a co-op, Ever'man is committed to ensuring that our community has support for responsible local agriculture and small businesses. Ever’man will host a monthly market where customers will be able to purchase goods from different local vendors outside at the Nine Mile Road location from 10 am - 4 pm.

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Presents Come Fly With Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 12 Three trumpets are better than one, especially when they are all played by the same person at one time! Multi-instrumentalist and dynamic entertainer Gunhild Carling joins vocalist Michael Andrew, former headliner at the Rainbow Room, for an evening featuring favorites from Frank Sinatra and more. For additional information and tickets, visit PensacolaSymphony.com.

Sweethearts and Succulents at Odd Colony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 12 Join Keep Pensacola Beautiful at Odd Colony for the Sweethearts and Succulents: Succulent Planting Workshop. Create your own unique succulent garden and enjoy a fresh brew. They will be reusing planters generously donated by Goodwill so there will be all shapes and sizes to choose from.

Jade Succulents will be there to offer guidance and walk you through creating this one of kind masterpiece. Ticket includes all supplies needed and one beer. Workshop space is limited and participants must register and pay prior to the workshop.

Tickets can be purchased through the event calendar at keeppensacolabeautiful.org.

An Evening in Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February 17 The Global Corner will celebrate this year’s Passport Program with a fundraiser on February 17 from 6-7:30pm at The Pensacola Opera Center. Come enjoy “An Evening in Israel” where we will feature authentic Israeli food and signature Israeli wine and take a peek at this year’s in-school curriculum. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Global Corner’s educational inschool Passport Program in area elemen-

tary schools. This year, we are showcasing the country and culture of Israel. Tickets are $60 (early bird special until 1/1/22), $70 at the door.

Gallery Night: Pensacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 18 This month’s Gallery Night's theme is "Pensacon," in partnership with the super-sized, superstar-studded conference happening the same weekend! In partnership with Pensacon, join us on the streets, wear your best cosplay, and enjoy the art & music & culture! On the third Friday of each month, from 5-9 pm, Gallery Night Pensacola will close Palafox Street (from Garden Street to Main Street) in Downtown Pensacola and provide open streets for patrons to explore and enjoy music, art, food and more.

Pensacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 18-20 Pensacon is the Gulf Coast’s premier pop culture convention celebrating the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic books, cosplay, animation, video games, books and much, much more. The three-day event draws tens of thousands to downtown Pensacola and takes place across multiple venues including the Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola Cultural Center, Rex Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Commerce and the De Luna Event Space.

Visit pensacon.com for complete guest information, schedules, venues, tickets and more.

Pensacola Community Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 19 The Pensacola Community Market is a community-based market supporting and serving the local Pensacola area, hosted downtown Pensacola across from Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Café on 315 W. Garden Street. From 10am to 3pm, the market hosts an array of businesses from handmade items to services! They also have a fun area for kiddos and plenty of food and drinks to satisfy any and all of your Pensacola cravings!

Mozart Madness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 19 The soaring stained-glass windows of First United Methodist’s sanctuary provide a beautiful setting for Pensacola Symphony Orchestra’s annual celebration of Mozart!

This chamber orchestra concert features the composer’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major with the PSO’s own Richard Jernigan as soloist. The last of Mozart’s completed works, the Clarinet Concerto is known for its lyricism, subtlety and expressiveness, contributing to its regard as one of his

great achievements. Also on the program is Symphony No. 36, “Linz.” Written in just a few days, the piece is as sophisticated as any of the composer’s works. The concert will be held at First United Methodist Church, 6 East Wright Street, starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at pensacolasymphony.com

Abba Mania Concert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 25 From London’s West End to Las Vegas, ABBA MANIA is the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute and has been delighting audiences around the world for more than two decades. In an exhilarating twohour recreation of ABBA’s last ever concert, ABBA MANIA brings to life the flamboyance of the 70s and all the uplifting, danceinducing, and sometimes heart-breaking songs from the Swedish ‘Supergroup’, fully live with fantastic costumes, staging, lighting and effects. The show will be held at Sanger Theatre at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Pensacola Opera presents The Barber of Seville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 27 This performance and lecture program highlights the relationships between visual art, history, and music surrounding Pensacola Opera’s upcoming show, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville on March 11. The lecture will be followed by performances from the score by Pensacola Opera’s Artists in Residence. Then, a curator from The Pensacola Museum of Art will explore a visual arts related topic correlating with Rossini. This is a free community event, open to the public.

Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 25 Grab your tote bag and a lawn chair, it’s time to celebrate Mardi Gras! The Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade rolls through the streets of downtown Pensacola from Palafox to Government at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit pensacolamardigras.com.

Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 26 The Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade is annually the largest and most extravagant parade in Pensacola. This parade itself, brings the most attention from the public and the highest traffic with attendees and participants numbering in the hundreds of thousands, is the largest gathering of people in Downtown Pensacola during the entire year. The Grand Mardi Gras Parade features most of the Krewes from the area,

local organizations and companies and everything from marching bands to Scout groups.

Many parade entrants come from out of town as well. The parade has over 6000 people who participate in the parade, often over 100,000 spectators at the parade. The parade takes place on Palafox and Garden Streets in historic downtown Pensacola. The Parade starts at 2:00pm and continues until around 6:00pm. For more information, visit pensacolamardigras.com.

Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 27 Catch some Mardi Gras beads and Moon Pies over at Pensacola Beach for the annual Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade. With the scenic views of white sand beaches and the blue Gulf waters, this parade will depart from Via de Luna and go down the streets of Pensacola Beach from 2-4 pm.

Gay...la Masquerade Ball 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 5 Join in on a night of dancing, celebration and entertainment! There will be a great lineup of performers and artists, and a portion of the proceeds will go to a local LGBTQ nonprofit organization.

The 4th annual Gay...la Masquerade Ball will be held on March 5, 2022 at Sanders Beach Corrine Jones Resource Center from 7-11:45 pm. The host Evolve 'n Thrive’s mission is to make the world a better place one event at a time by hosting fun and safe events for the LGBTQ community in rural communities in the South. Tickets can be purchased at evolventhrive.com.

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MILITARYMATTERS

MILITARYMATTERS

AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS PENSACOLA HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND Story and photos by Jason Bortz

C

apt. Terrence Shashaty assumed command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola from Capt. Tim Kinsella during a change of command ceremony held January 13 at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Kinsella served as the commanding officer since March 2019 and led the base following a terrorist attack that resulted in the death of three Sailors and injured eight individuals, a global pandemic that threatened the mission of NAS Pensacola and a category II hurricane that caused extensive damages to the installation.

With Kinsella’s leadership, NAS Pensacola managed to limit the effects of these events to base operations.

“NAS Pensacola faced some difficult challenges over the past few years, but I am so proud of how everyone on base, active duty service members and civilian employees alike, came together and faced these challenges head on with grit and determination,” Kinsella said. “It’s been the greatest honor of my life to be the commanding officer of this historic installation, but it was the people of this base that truly inspired me every single day I put on my uniform.”

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a Capt. Terrence Shashaty officially departs the change of command ceremony after assuming command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Jan. 13, at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Following the change of command ceremony, Capt. Tim Kinsella retired from Navy during a separate ceremony.

For his outstanding leadership and service to NAS Pensacola, Capt. Tim Kinsella received the John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership from the Navy League of the United States in 2021. The John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership is awarded to the naval officer that has made an outstanding contribution to the

high standards of leadership in of Defense STARBASE program. the naval service.

The program, which will be located at the National Flight Academy Kinsella was also adamant for onboard the installation, will allow building strong relationships with 5th grade students from Title 1 the local community and improv- schools in the local communities ing the education in the local area to have a place to learn STEM for not only active duty family (Science, Technology, Engineering, members, but for all local families. and Math) related topics starting With his perseverance, NAS Pen- in January 2022. Pensacola State sacola was awarded a Department College is also opening a charter

MILITARYMATTERS

a Capt. Tim Kinsella speaks during the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola change of command ceremony Jan. 13 at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Capt. Terrence Shashaty assumed command of NAS Pensacola from Kinsella during the change of command ceremony.

high school near NAS Pensacola in 2022 that military children will be able to attend.

“I want to show children in Pensacola the art of the possible,” Kinsella said. “It is my hope that STARBASE Pensacola and the charter school will inspire students to unlock their potential and achieve more than they thought possible. Pensacola is an amazing community and has always had a strong relationship with the installation. As the installation improves, so does the community and vice versa. This bond between the community and NAS Pensacola is what makes Pensacola a special place. When we work together, that’s when the magic happens!”

Shashaty, a Brooklyn, New York, native and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is reporting to NAS Pensacola following duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the electronic warfare branch chief for the Deputy Directorate for Global Operations. Like all Navy aviators, Shashaty began his aviation training at NAS Pensacola and earned his pilot wings in 2000. Throughout his Navy career, he flew the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler and has over 400 combat hours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I am excited about this opportunity to be the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola,” Shashaty said.

“I started my aviation career here

a Capt. Greg Smith, Chief of Staff, Navy Region Southeast (left), awards Capt. Tim Kinsella with the Legion of Merit Medal. Kinsella served as the commanding officer since March 2019 and led the base following a terrorist attack that resulted in the death of three Sailors and injured eight individuals, a global pandemic that threatened the mission of NAS Pensacola and a category II hurricane that caused extensive damages to the installation.

and look forward to building on the outstanding achievements of the NAS Pensacola team. Every person, military and civilian, on NAS Pensacola plays a vital role in our mission and together, as a team, we will achieve great things.”

made lifelong friendships here in Pensacola and it’s always felt like home to us, so it’s an easy decision for us to stay. No matter what the future holds, I will always be proud to say that I was the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola.”

Following the change of command ceremony, Kinsella retired from the Navy during a separate ceremony. He will remain in the Pensacola area and will continue to be active in the community.

Known as “The Cradle of Naval Aviation,” NAS Pensacola is the second largest training base in the Navy with approximately 60,000 students trained annually. The installation supports 127 tenant commands from all branches of the service and is one of only four installations in the United States with an active airfield and deepwater port. 

“I have had a wonderful and fulfilling career in the Navy and this has been the absolute highlight, but now it’s time to start the next chapter of my life and focus on my family,” Kinsella said. “We have

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