MAY ‘21
Exclusive Q+A with Kate Flannery
t h s e i Way s i h T
The Blue Wahoos Are Back!
Art in Bloom
Queering Spaces: Uncovering Untold Community History
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CROWD MAY 2021 The DOWNTOWN Floral Designers CONTENTS Editor’s Letter
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Owner Malcolm Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden
Morgan Cole, Editor
Editor Morgan Cole Art Director Guy Stevens Graphic Designer Garrett Hallbauer Editorial Assistant Dakota Parks Editorial Interns Jesse Gann Fiama Mastrangelo Sky Rivera Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode Paula@ballingerpublishing.com Becky Hildebrand becky@ballingerpublishing.com 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. © 2021
To start, let me say that I am a magazine and publication enthusiast, a junkie who from my earliest school days has been obsessed with flipping through the pages of magazines and random publications, first absorbed in their images and stories, later assigning and editing my own. I really believe that no matter whether a publication is delivered to your doorstep or to your computer, printed on glossy stock or on cheap tabloid paper, appearing on your iPad or your cell-phone screen, it is still and foremost the work of an editorial team for a discerning audience, a beautiful and meaningful—we hope—package of ideas, words and images that a group of experts prepares for its readers. As editor, I will strive to always keep you engaged by bringing you content that’s relevant, informative and most importantly, something you’ll actually want to read! But enough of that—Let me tell you more about this month’s issue.
The weather has finally warmed-up enough to hit the beach or spend the day out on the boat and I couldn’t be more happy. Thanks to the vaccine and many travel restrictions being lifted, people are finally starting to get back out there. Our local Arts organizations are back on the stage with plans to resume many of their annual fundraising events. Concerts and music festivals are (slowly but surely) making a return and so many of our favorite downtown Pensacola events are back on the calendar. Needless to say, our editorial staff has been thrilled to get back out into the community and once again and start covering events and some of our favorite community happenings. In this issue, you’ll read about the return of Pensacon and all that’s in store for this year’s much-anticipated event. You’ll also read about Fiore’s upcoming Art in Bloom event (one of my personal favorites) and the return of baseball season—that’s right, the Wahoo’s are back! And you’ll want to be sure and check out the new LBGTQ+ exhibit on display at the T.T. Wentworth Museum. So, get outside and go take advantage of some of the things our wonderful city has to offer! Cheers,
7
9 Fleur Zoe
Chrissy F
11
13 Supposey
16
18
7 5 Questions with Creatives
16 Pensacon Is a Go for 2021
9 Art in Bloom
18 Exclusive Q & A with Kate Flannery
11 The Blue Wahoos Are Back! 13 Queering Spaces: Uncovering Untold Community History
20 May Events Calendar 22 Military Matters
ON THE COVER – Illustration by Garrett Hallbauer
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5 QUES TIONS WITH
CREATIVES WE NDY ENGL ISH BY MORGAN COLE
You won’t find this local artist and mother of four creating her next piece in a traditional art studio. You’re much more likely to find her outside foraging for supplies or seeking inspiration for her next piece. Self-proclaimed “tree hugger” Wendy English, uses paints and inks that she makes from natural materials to create unique pieces of art inspired by nature and her surroundings. Her work features an earthly blend of organic pigments, clays, rocks and even dried herbs. Be sure to check out more of Wendy’s work during Gallery Night, or follow her on Instagram @ochre.umber444. How did you first get into art, or was there a specific moment when you realized it was what you wanted to pursue? As a little girl, I’d always say I wanted to be an artist or a farmer when I grew up. I have always appreciated, been moved by and loved learning about art, but never dared to dip my toes in the waters. Art requires such a strange dichotomy of the human heart—vulnerability yet confidence, terror yet bravery, open-mindedness yet vision, surrender yet obsession. When I was younger, I didn’t realize that I had the power to be ALL of those things at once. A few years ago, I made the decision that I would not continue to be an outsider looking in on the art world, but an active participant in it. There was also a moment when I just gave myself permission to explore, grow and pursue the life of a creative. I have found such relief and
peace in the authenticity of my voice and vision as an artist.
Is there a specific artist that has served as an inspiration for your work, or is there someone you look up to in the industry? So many! But Agnes Martin is my heart’s desire! She would sit on the porch in her rocking chair, alone in her dry desert home, inspired by the environment, and wait for images to come into her mind’s eye. Her works revolve around pencil-drawn grids that she says she received as representations of innocence. Agnes Martin is a minimalist, an abstract expressionist and spiritualist…my kind of girl. She didn’t paint what she thought others would like or what she thought people would buy, she painted what came to her and authentically transformed what was inside of her body, mind and spirit onto the canvas. I also
love the works of Jonna Jinton. She’s a Swedish artist who uses pigments she collects from her natural surroundings and turns them into paints. Her works are so organic, pure and uplifting— they give such hope.
I see that you sell your art. Can you tell me more about that? The decision to sell my paintings came from a very practical place. We were running out of room in our house, so they had to go somewhere! Putting your work out there is so scary—it makes me feel so exposed and vulnerable, but it’s also a very healing experience. I feel like when I’m doing a market, submitting paintings for galleries, or sharing my art in any way, that I am grabbing a hold of fear, anxiety, self-consciousness, apologies and timidity, and shaking them off of myself and not allowing those things to direct me. By sell-
ing these canvases I feel like I’m telling the negatives in the universe that I matter, I have worth and I have something to say. I’ve always known that art is therapeutic and helps us to ascend toward authenticity, but I didn’t know how much restoration could come through the exchange of placing one of my works into the hands of a stranger.
What made this particular art form something you were interested in pursuing? The materials I use are mostly organic pigments, clays, rocks or dried herbs that I’ve collected during some mundane and sometimes magical moments—Ash from a fire where my family of six made smores under the evening stars, river rocks from an afternoon where my little girls let the waters splash on their sun-kissed faces, branches from the trail that I explored along Juniper Creek. I love that I can encoun-
ter organic materials, and that their purity and perfection can actually help encourage me to grow and learn. Recently, I have been getting into making natural inks from things like avocados, wild berries, dandelions, etc. I have found that the simple things like digging in the ground to find white clay, or collecting a glass jar of ocean water have helped me to find myself. Who knew I’d find myself looking for secrets deep in the ground?
What is some advice that you have for people who want to pursue a career as an artist? Andy Warhol famously said, “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art”—I’m not sure how to better say it than that. DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7
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Art in15 Bloom May
Fleur Zoe
Our goal for Art in Bloom is simple: keep costs low for the patrons and the profit going back to local florists. We commit to investing in local artists to
by Sky Rivera
share their talent with the community
What is Art in Bloom?
We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but lucky for us here in Pensacola, our May flowers will also come artsimple: simple: Our goal forwith Art ainbeautiful Bloom is and floral exhibit that features floral s and keep thecosts low for the patrons and the themed art, stunning floral arrangerists. profit We going back to local florists.“Art Wein Bloom displays the unique ments, a flower market and more. creativity and craft of local floral de-
artists commit to to investing in local artists to
We are seeking volunteers to work the flower market and community support to spread the word. Help us make Art in Bloom 2021 unforgettable! Josie Walker
for to come. Art inmany Bloomyears on May 14 and 15. Held in cities across the country, flower We are seeking volunteers to work the flower the event offers attendees the opThis year’s event will kick-off with a ead the market word.and community support to spread the word. portunity to view stunning floral arpreview party on May 14 from 8 pm gettable! Help us makeand Art in BloomPua’s 2021 unforgettable! By Paige Pua’s By Paige rangements unique art pieces to 10 pm. The preview party, aptly inspired by flowers. titled, “Flowers After Hours,” will of-
a flower market with fresh flowers, arrangements and plants available for purchase.
Beauty With a Purpose
FIORE of Pensacola Designers The Floral Designers 10am-4pm
Pallin said keeping costs low for the patrons and making sure the Fleur profits Zoe fer attendees a chance to meet and go back to local florists are equally mingle with the participating designimportant. Like many industries, the ers and artists over complimentary pandemic has taken a toll on the lodrinks horsyou d’oeuvres. We and invite to venture in to a cal beautiful world ofPallin art inlooks flowers. floral market and to alleviate some of that burden from The Art in Bloom exhibit will be held CIAOBELLA@FIOREOFPENSACOLA.COM local artists and floral designers. on Saturday, May 15 from 10 am to “We are committed to investing in 4 pm at Fiore of Pensacola, located local artists and to sharing their talat 405 South K Street. In addition to ent with the community for many the exhibit, Art in Bloom will feature Chrissy Florals years to come,” she said.
850-469-1930
e
Chrissy Fleur Florals Zoe
Another goal of Art in Bloom is to give back to the community. In addition to donating a portion of the proceeds back to the participating designers, the event will also support the Emerald Republic Brewing Company, a local brewery that sustained significant damage in recent storms. Supposey
FIORE
Supposey
FIORE
Pua’s By Paige
The Floral Designers Tickets for Flowers after Hours are
ART IN BLOOM 2021
signers who interpret works of art from our gallery collection,” Shannon Pallin, owner of Fiore said.
ommunity share their talent the community Fiore of Pensacola willwith be hosting
for many years to come.
$20, and tickets for Art in Bloom are $15. Those who plan to attend both events may purchase tickets together for a discounted price of $30. To purchase tickets, call (850) 469-1930.
Who are the Artists?
Chrissy Florals
Pensacola has no shortage of creative talent and Art in Bloom aims to highlight just a few of those local gems. Five local artists will be on display with floral-inspired art pieces: Lisa Bosarge, Casey Engel, Lindsey Gray, Cindy Mathis and Josie Walker. Five local floral designers will share their interpretationFIORE of the Supposey art through floral arrangements: Chrissy Florals, Fiore of Pensacola, Fleur Zoe Wedding Florals, Pua’s by Paige and Supposey. For more information, visit fioreofpensacola.com.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9
A L W A Y S
A L W A Y S
F R E S H .
L O C A L .
STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE 220 W GARDEN ST., SUITE 130
MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
G A T E W A Y C A F E I S A N E N T E R P R I S E O F T H E A R C G A T E W A Y A N D I S M A D E P O S S I B L E T H R O U G H T H E G E N E R O S I T Y O F Q U I N T A N D R I S H Y S T U D E R . Y O U R P A T R O N A G E H E L P S U S P R O V I D E L I F E - C H A N G I N G P R O G R A M S F O R A D U L T S A N D C H I L D R E N W I T H D I S A B I L I T I E S . G A T E W A Y C A F E A L S O P R O V I D E S O N T H E J O B T R A I N I N G F O R C L I E N T S O F T H E A R C G A T E W A Y .
THE
Pensacola Blue Wahoos said. “Some changes are really exciting, and some changes will take some adjustment.”
ARE BACK!
by Jesse Gann
Photos by Nino Mendez
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are gearing up for their highly anticipated return after a year off of the field due to the pandemic. The team has implemented some changes, bringing a promising season to the Pensacola community. With Major League Baseball’s (MLB) permission and support, the Blue Wahoos will play a 120 game season this year, with 60 home games and 60 away games. There will be no playoffs in 2021, but that is still up in the air depending on the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and what is put into place by the MLB. This season, the Wahoos are anticipating 100 percent capacity, or 5,038 seats filled in the stadium. Once those are filled up, fans will no longer be permitted to enter the stadium. Guidelines have been put into place to keep fans and players safe. “It’s a season with a lot of changes,” Chris Garagiola, a radio and television broadcaster for the
For everyone’s safety, masks will be required to enter the stadium. Additionally, there will be a 12-foot “buffer zone” put into place around the dugout to provide a safe distance from the players and Blue Wahoos staff. “We are trying to do things to put our fans’ safety at the forefront.” Garagiola said. One exciting new addition fans can look forward to this season is an app being developed where they will be able to order food from their seats, and have it delivered to them in order to avoid long lines at the concession stands. Among one of the major changes for the 2021 season was the restructuring of the minor leagues system. The Blue Wahoos are now a part of the Double-A South Minor League, which is composed of eight teams. On top of that, the Blue Wahoos have recently become affiliated with the Miami Marlins after a two year contract with the Minnesota Twins. The second year of that contract was during the 2020 season, which unfortunately never happened.
nity to pair us up with a team in the state of Florida,” Garagiola said. “So that is why we are now with the Marlins and we are very happy with that partnership.” The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 2021 season will begin on the road on May 4, with an away game against the Mississippi Braves. The first official home game for the season will be held on Tuesday, May 11 against the Birmingham Barons. “That should be really, really exciting because we haven’t had a Blue Wahoos baseball game here since mid September of 2019,” Garagiola said. “So it has been a long time for these fans.” For more information on tickets and this year’s full schedule, visit bluewahoos.com.
“Major League Baseball wanted to realign geographically how the Minors were structured. Because we are in Florida, instead of being paired up with a team in Minnesota, they saw an opportu-
It’s a season with a lot of changes. Some changes are really exciting, and some changes will take some adjustment.”
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM || 11
GULF COAST CULTURE FEST THERAPEUTIC • UPLIFTING • FUN • UNITY
FORC3 Studios, LLC proudly announces its first Gulf Coast Culture Fest on May 22, 2021 at Seville Square and Bartram Park in Downtown Pensacola. Come be empowered and enriched by the many different cultures along the Gulf Coast. There’s something for the entire family! Artists from all across the Gulf Coast are encouraged to showcase their talents in the visual, cultural and performance arts to uplift and unify the community. A community wide film festival will take place the night of the festival.
8 AM–10 PM
FREE Admission
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Gulf Coast Kids House. For more information on vendorship, entertainment opportunities, art exhibitions and sponsorship, contact Calvin Griffin at (850) 417-7611 or forc3studiosllc@gmail.com. GulfCoastCultureFest.com | @GulfCoastCultureFest
QUEERING SPACES UNCOVERING UNTOLD COMMUNITY HISTORY
by Dakota Parks Photos by Guy Stevens
H
ow do we decide whose stories are recorded or written in history books? For a long time, the answer has been—power. Those in positions of power had control of which stories and lives were remembered. When Emjay Williams went in for a job shadow at the University of West Florida Historic Trust, almost four years ago, they were asked to choose a research topic to pull from the collection. Out of curiosity, they chose LGBT history and were met with all but empty hands and a small, dusty folder labeled “alternative lifestyles.” This interaction sparked a need to not only uncover the untold history of the queer community in Northwest Florida, but also for the Historic Trust to update its archival collections to represent wider demographics at large. The Historic Trust’s exhibit “Queering Spaces: Celebrating Pensacola’s LGBTQ+ Community” opens May 1 at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum and will remain on display through June 2022. “We define ‘queering’ as growing spaces to become open and welcoming to the queer community that maybe weren’t accepting to begin with. We want the queer community to be included in the histories of more places than just those built for the community itself,” Community Curator Emjay Williams said. “I think this work will have a huge impact on how the younger and future generations are treated and supported in their identities.” Williams has been working on this project to collect local queer history for the last four years and even relocat-
ed from Orlando to coordinate, collect and make connections with members of the community. The dates of the historical exhibit will sandwich LGBTQ+ Pride Month celebrated annually in June each year to mark the illustrious Stonewall Riots of 1969 that sparked the movement for LGBTQ+ rights in America. Locally, however, the exhibit situates itself within the history of the Emma Jones Society and the infamous Pensacola Beach Pride Weekend held annually at the end of May on Memorial Day weekend.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 13
Drag queen dresses on loan from Lauren Mitchell and the late Penny Holliday (1954–2020).
Dictionary wall defining key terms in the LGBTQ+ community.
“The story of pride on Pensacola Beach dates back to when men were still being persecuted and arrested for being homosexual,” Williams explained. “These two adopted brothers, Ray and Henry Hillyer decided to open a PO box in 1957 in the name of Emma Jones to have their male magazines and books sent to. At this time, the post office was actually informing police of people that were receiving illicit mail. The Hillyers formed the Emma Jones Society, letting other men use this PO box, and would get together for parties on July 4 at the San Carlos Hotel downtown Pensacola to go through the mail. These parties ended in 1975 but eventually led to what we know as pride on Memorial Day weekend.” 14 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
As the exhibit works through the history of the Emma Jones Society, it will also display artifacts collected from the community like a stage of glimmering drag queen dresses that marks the history of drag in Pensacola. Other artifacts include a display case of shirts from the Stamped LGBTQ+ Film Festivals, a stamped dollar bill used to mark and count gay money and a copy of Jerry T. Watkins book Queering the Redneck Riviera: Sexuality and the Rise of Florida
Tourism, which was instrumental in documenting queer history in Florida. One wall of the exhibit will be dedicated to defining words like “cisgender” and “queer,” and include a postcard of definitions that guests can take home with them. Another wall will display video news clippings, documents and a QR code that links to all of the local LGBTQ+ organizations in Pensacola. “The overall space is really designed to make it feel like a cel-
“ONE OF MY HOPES IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE VISIT THIS EXHIBIT, THEY’LL REALIZE THAT THE QUEER COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN HERE.”
ebration,” Jessie Cragg, curator of exhibits for the Historic Trust, said. “But it’s also for everyone, regardless of who you are, to be able to get a better understanding of the history of the queer community in Northwest Florida. One of my hopes is that when people visit this exhibit, they’ll realize that the queer community has always been here. This is a story that we’ve needed to tell for a very long time, and it’s great to be a part of restoring this visibility.” One artifact that community curators were excited to track down represents a turning point in LGBTQ+ visibility. As Williams and Cragg explained, the tradition of stamping money with pink triangles or stamps that read “gay money” started in California when members of the queer community realized that their money was providing a lot of economic power, yet they were still being discriminated against. They began
“THE MISSION OF THE TRUST IS TO COLLECT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF ALL MEMBERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE LOST AND FORGOTTEN.” stamping money to keep track of the amount of money being exchanged, and this tradition spread to other cities. According to their research, in 1994 alone, an estimated $18.7 million was spent by LGBTQ tourists in Pensacola on Memorial Day weekend. Within the exhibit, guests will also be able to navigate another digital exhibit based out of San Francisco called the AIDS Memorial Quilt presented through the National Aids Memorial. This digitized quilt stretches across more than 48,000 panels and represents the lives and stories of more than 105,000 people that have died from AIDS. The memorial seeks to educate and fight against stigma, denial and hate, for a just future. “I’ve always wanted to be able to influence the stories that are being told, because I feel like in most museums, the stories are always similar,” Cragg explained. “History is usually told and written about old white men that do important things. I’m drawn to history for these untold stories that bring light to sections of humanity that most people don’t ever get the chance to understand or learn about.”
Part of uncovering this community history means that the cataloguing and preserving of local queer history can’t stop after the exhibit. The Historic Trust has applied for a grant through the local nonprofit Sunday’s Child to spearhead its extended project “Queering the Archive,” which will continue to expand the holdings and stories within the archival collection. This project will build off the momentum of the exhibit and continue to collect photos, documents, artifacts and record oral histories of community members to build the archive for future researchers and generations to come. “It’s not just about the exhibit— it’s about making this space available for everyone for the future. Once this exhibit comes down, we want to keep this material here and have the stories recorded and archived for researchers and members of the community to come and explore. The mission of the Trust is to collect and preserve the history of all members of Northwest Florida that would otherwise be lost and forgotten. As society progresses, archives need to reflect that growth and change.”
Exhibit team from left to right: Laynie Gibson, Maggie Crain, Jessie Cragg, Emjay Williams, Richard Rodriguez and Brenna Morgan.
As Cragg explained, the Historic Trust is dedicated to completing this long-term project to update the archive, regardless of whether or not it receives a grant to fund research assistants and new audio equipment. The “Queering the Archive” project will officially kick off in October 2021 with community curators beginning the stages of outreach to the local queer community and organizations. The project will also allow the Trust to build partnerships with regional organizations like the Invisible History Project, which is currently collecting Southern LGBTQ+ history within the states of Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The “Queering Spaces: Celebrating Pensacola’s LGBTQ+ Community” exhibit will be on display at the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum, through June 2022 and is currently open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Comstock Law of 1873 allowed the US postal service to censor mail and suppress ‘obscene literature’, acting as a catalyst for the Emma Jones Society.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 15
“I always like to tell people, if there is anything you like in pop culture—if you like movies, TV, games, animation, reading, art—we have something that you are going to like,” Pensacon Marketing and Media Director, Julio Diaz said. “People normally think it’s science fiction, but it’s not just science fiction.” There will be a guest for every genre at this year’s convention.
May 21– D o w 23
n Pensatcoowlan
PENSACON IS A G O F O R 2 02 1
ensacon: Pensacola Comic Con was founded in 2013 and unites self-proclaimed comic book nerds, film buffs and TV connoisseurs all under one roof at the Pensacola Bay Center for three full days. From capes, costumes and furries to autographs and fan memorabilia, the convention offers a little of something for every16 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
by Jesse Gann Photos by Guy Stevens
one. Although the comic con is usually held in February, it was rescheduled due to COVID-19 and will now be held Friday, May 21, through Sunday, May 23. With a variety of guest celebrities and city-wide events scheduled to take place at seven different locations across downtown Pensacola, Pensacon will be taking over the streets.
One of Pensacon’s most anticipated guests this year is Kaylee Hottle, known for her role as Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong, the latest movie in the franchise. Her character is known for her relationship with Kong in the movie, and Pensacon will be her first comic con appearance. Hottle, who is a deaf actress, has gained a massive following for her role teaching Kong sign language in the movie. Other featured guests will include Michael Cudlitz, who plays Abraham in The Walking Dead’s, George Wendt, who plays Norm from Cheers, and Emily Swallow, who played The Armorer in Disney’s The Mandalorian. There will be guests from classic films and new releases, including the last two living stars from the original Planet of the Apes, Lou Wagner and Linda Harrison. Harry Waters Jr. and Jeffrey Weissman from Back to the Future will also be featured guests. Pensacon has a guest for everyone to enjoy no matter the age, demographic or genre. “Of course in addition to our celebrities, we also have upwards of 25 artists and authors that will be here as guests encompassing everything from comic book and fantasy artists, to New York Times bestselling authors,” Diaz said. Some of this year’s featured visual artists will include Guy Gilchrist, who is known for his illustrations of the Muppets comic strip; Michael Golden, the co-creator of the X-men’s Rogue character, Spartan X and Bucky O’Hare; and Matt Frank, an illustrator for the Godzilla comic book series. In the world of professional wrestling, Dr. Britt Baker, who recently competed in the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament in February, will be making her debut appearance at Pensacon.
Alongside this year’s guest appearances, a series of discussion panels will be held. Here, fans will have the opportunity to participate in live Q & A sessions with their favorite celebrity-guests in a more relaxed and moderated setting. The infamous Poseidon’s Bay, set up in the back parking lot outside of the Pensacola Bay Center, will make a comeback this year and host numerous outdoor vendors, activities and a stage for live performances. Poseidon’s Bay will open one hour prior to Pensacon to provide attendees with socially distanced activities as they wait in line to enter the Bay Center. Some of the activities scheduled to take place include carnival games, lightsaber demonstrations and dance groups. Another big attraction this year is going to be the Court of De Luna event space. It is Pensacola’s newest 25,000 square foot event space and winery. The Court of De Luna will host Pensacon’s costume contest and 80s-themed party on Saturday night. Pensacon is also working with numerous downtown bars and restaurants to host annual themed parties. The massive vendor hall at the Bay Center will be available as a space to purchase memorabilia such as comics, collectibles and original art that can’t be found anywhere else. It will also be the main hub where you’ll
be able to meet celebrity guests, grab a picture or get an autograph. Other event spaces this year include the Pensacola Little Theatre, the Rex Theatre, the Voices of Pensacola, the University of West Florida Historic Trust Bowden Building and the Museum Plaza Stage, which will each be hosting events throughout the weekend. The Pensacon team is already planning for Pensacon 2022, which will be taking place in February. On the last day of the convention, Pensacon will be announcing a few of the guests to expect next year. If guests are not comfortable with attending the convention in May, tickets will be available to roll over to Pensacon 2022. “Safety of our guests is always important to us and has never been more important than it is this year. We wouldn’t be moving forward with the event if we didn’t believe we could do it safely,” Diaz said. “It’s a very full weekend, and there is a lot for families to do. We’re here for the families, kids and for everyone to have a great time.”
sures will be put in place. There will also be designated eating and drinking areas. Tickets are still available for those wanting to attend Pensacon this year. A three-day pass is $80, while single day passes are $35 for Friday, $45 for Saturday and $40 for Sunday. VIP passes are $155 and include early admission to the Pensacola Bay Center, preferred seating at panel venues, front-ofline privileges for celebrity autographs and photo ops, an exclusive 2021 t-shirt, spaceavailable parking and other perks. For more information about tickets, special guests and vendors, visit pensacon.com.
Masks will be required throughout the convention grounds, hand sanitizer will be available at all venues and social distancing meaDOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17
exclusive q&a with
Coming to Pensacon!
kate flannery by Dakota Parks
18 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
or most millennials and Netflix-now-Peacock-bingewatchers, Kate Flannery is easy to ID for her role as Meredith Palmer, the inappropriate, frequently drunk and sexually promiscuous employee for the Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch on The Office. In college, Flannery studied acting, and shortly after she joined The Second City’s National Touring Company and became an original member of Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre, starring in over 15 shows including The Miss Vagina Pageant and The Real Live Brady Bunch. Outside of her nine-year stint in the paper supply business, Flannery has kept herself busy singing on tour with Jane Lynch, dancing on Dancing with the Stars, performing in shows with her musical comedy improv group The Lampshades and starring in a variety of films and TV shows. She has voiced the character of Barb on Steven Universe, appeared in episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl and films like Helicopter Mom, Cooties and 4th Man Out to name a few. Hi, Kate! Thanks for meeting with me. Have you been to many comic conventions? KF: Of course! I have, actually. About a year and a half before the pandemic started, a few of us from The Office started getting invites to conventions. They’re a lot of fun, and I’m excited to come to Pensacola.
not allowed to comment, but there is clearly so much to comment on. I also think that kids tend to plug into The Office because being in a classroom is not unlike being at a workplace. Everybody’s at a desk, usually next to someone you didn’t pick. Your boss is kind of like a teacher. It’s the subtleties and silences of life that make it so hysterical.
Did anyone on the cast ever anticipate The Office becoming such a big cultural phenomenon? KF: Oh my God, no way! It really gained a whole new following when it started streaming on Netflix. The writing is just amazing though, and there is something so relatable about the documentarystyle office setting. It’s the subtleties of the workplace, where you’re
What was it like auditioning for The Office? KF: Initially, I actually auditioned for the part of Jan and didn’t get that, so I wasn’t in the pilot. But they held auditions later in the year, and I went in and they told me “don’t wear make-up and don’t try to be funny,” which are kind of antithetical to most auditions for comedies. I knew Steve Carell from the Second City comedy
club, and I always thought he was a genius. When I saw some of the first edits of the show before it was released, I thought it was the funniest thing ever, but I was worried it might be too weird for NBC. Thankfully, it wasn’t. I just love that Meredith is so unapologetically herself, and I think there are a lot of women like her that don’t get represented enough on TV, so I’m proud to represent her.
I saw on your Twitter that there is a Meredith Funko Pop figurine with the boob hanging out from the “Casual Friday” episode. Has any of the fan art surprised you? KF: None of it really surprises me, since fans are just responding to what they see on the show. Sometimes the art is capturing my most unflattering moments on the show, but I love that. One that really made me laugh was when somebody got a Casual Friday tattoo of Meredith in the short dress flashing everyone. Do you have a favorite scene? KF: One of my favorites is the Moroccan Christmas episode, where Michael Scott drags Meredith into rehab. That scene where we’re in the parking lot was not particularly scripted and it was just a lot of fun to improv with Steve. I loved doing any of the physical comedy. I actually got to do most of my own stunts, which was awesome.
“We really were the real-life Jim and Pam of The Office—just slightly goofier.” There are so many iconic stunts from getting hit by a car to bats in your hair and shaving your head during the lice infestation. What was the movie magic like for these moments? KF: We had a great bald cap artist named Ed French. He actually worked in the first Star Trek movie. He’s the guy that teaches everybody how to do the bald cap in Hollywood. It was four hours in makeup every morning and took about two and a half every evening to get out of it. I have so much respect for Sci-Fi folks now.
I read that you actually met your boyfriend Chris Haston on the set of The Office pretty early into filming? KF: Yes, I did. It was a big surprise for me, because I was 40 years old when I got The Office. I always had the worst wardrobe and no makeup on. I used to joke like I’m never ever going to get laid during this role. I actually said that to Melora Hardin, who plays Jan, and she always reminds me of that. But Chris is the best. He’s been working at NBC as a photographer for 35 years, and he’s worked on everything from the Golden Girls
to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, so it’s great to be with someone that understands the business as well. We really were the real-life Jim and Pam of The Office—just slightly goofier.
What is it like touring with Jane Lynch? KF: Jane and I have been working together for six years. We did a Christmas album together that was number eight on the Billboard Top Ten, so now we do a Christmas tour each year. We took off last year for the pandemic, but two years ago, we took a tour bus around to 25 cities and did 30 shows. It was awesome. It’s like the Rat Pack but with a couple of broads. Is there anything you’re working on right now? KF: There’s a new movie coming out at the end of April called Golden Arm, which is a comedy about female arm-wrestling. I play Randy, the bar owner, when they discover that they have a golden arm. A golden arm is someone who allegedly has no athletic ability, but somehow possesses this great strength that kind of comes out of nowhere. We filmed in 2019 when I had a break in Dancing with the Stars, and I was supposed to go to South by Southwest Film Festival for it, then the whole world shut down. So, I’m excited for it to come out.
photo from theoffice.fandom.com DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 19
MAY CALENDAR 200 South Cinco de Mayo Celebration Week
1920s Murder Prohibited Dinner Show
Join 200 South for a week-long Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 1 – May 8 at World of Beer located at 200 S. Palafox St. in downtown Pensacola! The epic, weeklong celebration will feature new events, drinks specials and entertainment each and every day. For complete event details, visit 200southpalafox.com.
Seville Quarter and Improbable Cause Mystery Theatre are bringing back the 1920’s themed murder mystery dinner show set in an early 1920s speakeasy on Saturday, May 8 at Heritage Hall (located inside Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola). Doors open at 6 pm and show begins at 7 pm. Tickets are $59 and include a salad, choice of two entrees and dessert. Roaring 20s and Great Gatsbyinspired attire is encouraged! Visit sevillequarter.com for tickets and information.
May 1 – May 8
Constant Coffee Poetry Night May 4, 11, 18, 25
Join Pensacola poetry at the longest running open mic Constant Coffee & Tea at located at 615 Scenic Highway in Pensacola. 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.
Queering Spaces Exhibit May 1-June 2022
Just in time for pride month, the University of West Florida Historic Trust is opening a history exhibit called “Queering Spaces: Celebrating Pensacola’s LGBTQ+ Community.” The exhibit opens May 1 at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum and will remain on display through June 2022. Here guests can learn about the history of the queer community in Northwest Florida, including the Emma Jones Society and the story behind Pensacola Beach Pride Weekend. The exhibit will also link to other virtual exhibits and provide resources to learn more about local organizations in Pensacola. For tickets and information, visit historicpensacola.org.
Blue Morning Gallery Spotlight on Art May 6
Blue Morning Gallery’s current Spotlight on Art is Spring Things, featuring the work of Bev Elliot, Ann Robinson and Karen Troil. A variety of Spring-inspired paintings, pastels and pottery will be on display from April 25– May 22 with a reception at the gallery (21 Palafox Place) on May 6 from 5 pm–7 pm. Live music will be provided by Pat Muesel. For more information, visit bluemorninggallery.com.
20 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
May 8
Mother’s Day for Mother Earth Recycling Drive May 8
Join in on this countywide recycling drive presented by Sustainable Pensacola and ECUA on Saturday, May 8 from 8 am to 4 pm at the John R. Jones Athletic Complex located at 551 E. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. Recycling groups to separate include: glass, newspaper, cardboard, plastic milk jugs, aluminum cans/lids, cereal boxes, tin/ steel cans/lids, metal pots/pans and plastic bottles. Discounts for recycling participants will be provided at the following local businesses: East Hill Pizza, Bailey’s Produce and Nursery, Dolce and Gelato, Bluejay’s Bakery, The Nest General Store, The Farm Produce Market, Bonfire Pizza, The Black Garlic market and more.
Industry B.A.R.E Night May 6
Industry workers, this one’s for you! Perfect Plain Brewery is hosting a special happy hour to for bar and restaurant employees for all of their hard work over the past year. The event will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm at Perfect Plain Brewery in downtown Pensacola. The first drink is on house and will be provided on a first-come first-served basis until tickets run out. Make sure to bring your business cards to enter to win the week’s grand prize drawing. For more information, visit perfectplain.com.
42 Annual Pensacola Ladies Billfish Tournament May 7-8
The Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club proudly presents the 42nd Annual Pensacola Ladies Billfish Tournament May 7–8 at the Santa Rosa Yacht Club on Pensacola Beach. Registration costs are $300.00 per boat (2 Anglers) and each additional angler is $150. Optional Jackpots can be entered at any time up until the start of tournament. All anglers must be registered to participate.
For tournament details and registration, visit pbgcf.com.
Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents Showtime May 7-9
The Pensacola Children’s Chorus proudly presents Showtime, a Broadway-style extravaganza featuring music from nearly every genre, ranging from classical and contemporary, to pop to musical theatre and so much more! Performances will be held at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 9 at 2:30pm. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.
Boat Up-Float Up Concert May 8
Get ready to jam with “Coastal Distancing” and live music at the Sneaky Tiki Bar on Pensacola Beach on May 8 from 2 pm to 4 pm. This first Boat Up Float Up concert is presented by Jack Daniels and features the Ben Loftin Band. Sit, swim, boat, float or dance—you pick! The concert will feature a swim only area in front of the stage, Jack Daniels swag give-a-ways, drink specials and a complimentary cookout. This event is 21+ with valid ID, no charge for admission and BYOF— bring your own floaties! VIP tickets can be purchased online at visitpensacola.com.
Pensacola Archaeology Society Lecture Series May 11
Held virtually on Zoom from 7 pm to 8 pm, this lecture series celebrates the bicentennial commemoration of Florida becoming a US territory in 1821. Research associate for the Archaeology Institute at UWF, Jennifer Melcher, will discuss St. Michael’s Cemetery Story Map of graves of the Second Spanish period residents. For more information, visit pasfl.org.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos vs. Birmingham Barons May 12-16
Join Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos vs. Birmingham on weekdays at 6:35 pm, Saturday at 5:05 pm and Sunday at 4:05 pm. Box seats are open behind home plate, on top of the dugouts or down by the baseline. Tickets are $13-$15 per game. Reserved seats and standing seats are also available. For tickets and information, visit milb.com/pensacola/tickets.
PenArts Presents “I And You” May 12-16
Join PenArts at the Gordon Community Art Center for a small but powerful two-person play by Lauren Gunderson. “I And You” is part
of the PenArts outreach program aimred at reaching middle school, high school and college students. In this play a young man unexpectedly visits an ill homebound fellow student to work on an English project about Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. This simple project soon evolves to reveal a much deeper message about life and our need for each other. It is a story about the mystery and glory of human connectedness. Showing is at 4 pm on May 12- 4, 7:30 pm on May 15 and 2:30 pm on May 16. Tickets are $2 for ages 21 and under, and $5 ages 21+.
Gordon Open Mic May 13
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, follow @penartsinc on Facebook.
Flicks on the Field May 14
Join the Pensacola Greyhound Track at 951 Dog Track Road, for a free family-friendly drive-in movie. This month’s movie will be Max about a military service dog adopted by a fallen soldier’s family. The movie starts at 8 pm and guests and guests can enjoy the movie from their comfort of their vehicles or bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch on the grass while safely social distancing. Concessions will also be available.
Run Pensacola hosts Leftover 4 Miler May 15
Hosted on Pensacola Beach at 8 am, this race is a Run Pensacola special of odd and ends and leftover memorabilia from past races—including T-shirts, medals and awards. There is no rhyme or reason to what you receive, as it’s a mystery. The post-race party will be at Crabs on the beach. Tickets to Run Pensacola’s event can be purchased online at runpensacola.com.
Pensacola JazzFest May 15-16
Jazz Pensacola’s Pensacola JazzFest, now in its 37th year, will be May 15-16 at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. This free festival celebrates America’s unique musical art form with a stunning lineup of top talent, from local jazz standouts to world-renowned acts. Admission is free in addition to the music lineup, there will be food by local vendors, wine/beer, arts and crafts and plenty of jazz merchandise available.
Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 3, “Scottish” May 15
The moldering ruins of the chapel at Holyrood Palace, where Mary, Queen of Scots lived and loved, were the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony. Join the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra as it explores this dynamic work along with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, a timeless Baroque concerto with colorful instrumentation and glowing melodies. In-person and virtual tickets are available. For tickets and information, visit pensacolasymphony.com.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos vs. Rocket City May 19-23
Join Pensacola’s best Blue Wahoos vs. Rocket City on weekdays at 6:35 pm, Saturday at 5:05 pm and Sunday at 4:05 pm. Box seats are open behind home plate, on top of the dugouts or down by the baseline with tickets $13-15 per game. Reserved seats and standing seats are also available. To purchase tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola/tickets.
Pensacon 2021 May 21-23
Pensacon has rescheduled the date for its 2021 pop culture convention, originally scheduled for February. From vendors to guest stars and Q&A panels, Pensacon has a little something to offer every comic book nerd, movie buff and TV connoisseur. Most events and activities will take place on Friday from 1 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Three-day passes are $80 and single-day tickets are available for $35 for Friday, Saturday for $45 and Sunday for $40. VIP passes are $155 and include early admission to the Pensacola Bay Center, preferred seating at panel venues, front-of-line privileges for celebrity autographs and photo ops, an exclusive event T-shirt, space-available parking and more! Purchase tickets online at pensacon.com.
Gulf Coast Culture Fest May 22
Gulf Coast Culture Fest brings together Gulf Coast artists, businesses, vendors and citizens for a rejuvenating and unifying day of music, dance, poetry, theater and visual art! It will be held on May 22 at Seville Square in downtown Pensacola from 8 am to 10 pm. Admission is free to the public. A community wide film festival will also take place the night of the Culture Fest at 8 pm in Bartram Park (downtown Pensacola). For more information on vendors, entertainment opportunities, art exhibitions and sponsorship, contact Calvin Griffin at fourc3studiosllc@gmail.com.
Pensacola Beach Pride Weekend May 27-31
Hailed as the largest LGBTQ+ event in North America, Pensacola Beach Pride is a weekend where the queer community can rally together in celebration on Pensacola Beach. Look for the rainbow flags and sea of pop-up tents just passed the Portofino Island Resort to join in on the fun. Parking tickets can be purchased online through visitpensacola.com.
For Future Generations
Progress!
Open 10am–4pm
P3 Comedy Fest May 28-30
Come out and share some laughs at the Pensacola Pre-Pride Comedy Fest (P3 Comedy Fest on Facebook) on May 28-30, where 25 of the country’s best LGBTQ+ comedians will be traveling to Pensacola to perform in this charity stand up comedy event. The event will be raising money for TAPS- The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. TAPS provides mental health and financial services to grieving military families. Nikki Carr, from NBC’s Last Comic Standing & BET’s ComicView, will be performing as one of the weekend’s headliners as well as Hilliary Begley from Netflix’s Hit Film “Dumplin” with Jennifer Anniston. Venues include: The Cabaret, Odd Colony Brewing Company, O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown, Dolce & Gelato, and Perfect Plain. Weekend Passes and Day Passes are currently available on eventbrite.
Pensacola Grand Carnivale Parade May 29
The Pensacola Grand Carnivale 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. The parade takes place on Palafox and Garden Streets in historic downtown Pensacola. The Parade starts at 2 pm and continues until around 6 pm. Visit pensacolamarigras.com for parade route and more event details.
Graffiti Bridge 5K May 29
Join Run Pensacola at this unique 5K run/ walk with a start and finish at the iconic local landmark, Graffiti Bridge. For guests that want to take the opportunity to paint the bridge, Run Pensacola will be closing down the street two hours prior to the race for guests to have safe access to the bridge. Bring your own paint! For more information and registration, visit runpensacola.com.
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NAS PENSACOLA EARNS FORCE PROTECTION CERTIFICATION Story and photos by Joshua Cox, Naval Air Station Pensacola
N
aval Station Pensacola conducted a force protection exercise April 12–16. The exercise, known as Final Evaluation Problem (FEP), is a graded exercise evaluated by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC). The exercise was the final assessment for NAS Pensacola’s force protection training and certification cycle. The training and certification cycle typically lasts 36 months, but due to COVID-19 the cycle was extended to approximately 48 months. According to Trent Hathaway, NAS Pensacola Installation Training Officer, the base participates in several force protection inspections similar to FEP during the training and certification cycle. “It is the certification of the base after a three-year cycle of inspec-
tions starting with Regional Training Team (RTT), CNIC Assessment for Readiness and Training (CART), Regional Assessment (RASS) followed by FEP,” Hathaway said. Hathaway said several key departments involved in FEP were NAS Pensacola Navy Security Forces, Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast, and the installation’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). “Security programs such as law enforcement, physical security and anti-terrorism programs are the three main pillars,” Hathaway added. FEP is a CNIC-led operational assessment of an installation NSF’s ability to meet all core competencies outlined in Navy force protection training standards, said Lt. Anthony L. Gonzales, NAS Pensacola Installation Security Officer.
NAS Pensacola Navy Security Forces (NSF) personnel sweep the Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) for simulated explosives, suspects and casualties during Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2021 in February.
FEP includes the activation of an Emergency Operations Center, an incident command post (ICP) and a tactical NSF response. During the exercise, several scenarios were presented to NAS Pensacola Navy Security Forces (NSF) and additional departments, including simulations of an armed barricaded suspect with a hostage, a suspicious package and an active shooter. In order to pass FEP and become certified, the installation must pass the administrative inspection, training assessment and the scenariobased operational assessment with a grade of 80 percent or better, with no failures of critical tasks and no major safety incidents.
22 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
Gonzales said an assessment team from CNIC Headquarters and ad-
ditional subject-matter-experts observed and graded the exercise. NAS Pensacola passed the final inspection and earned the desired force protection certification. “We performed outstanding,” Gonzales said. “We scored an 89 percent and we were recommended for certification.” Gonzales said when NAS Pensacola passes FEP, the base’s NSF is certified to defend the installation. “My team’s professionalism and dedication to NAS Pensacola and its personnel is evident through their blood, sweat and tears—which culminated in a successful FEP certification,” Gonzales added. This was a well-deserved win for NAS Pensacola and our Naval Security Forces.”
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